Adriana Francesca Lima (born June 12, 1981 in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil) is a Brazilian supermodel, best known for her work with Victoria's Secret. She is currently the 3rd highest paid model in the world behind Gisele Bundchen and Kate Moss. She is represented by DNA NY in the United States, Lumiere Models in Brazil and VIVA Models in Europe.
Adriana Lima was discovered when at the age of 15, she finished in first place in a Ford Supermodel of Brazil model search. This got her a ticket to the 1996 Ford Supermodel of the World contest. She didn't win and placed second, but it still got her noticed. Shortly after, Lima moved to New York City, and eventually moved on from Ford, signing with Elite Model Management. Her early career consisted mostly of fashion editorial work (with early appearances in international editions of Vogue and Marie Claire in 1997/1998), as well as runway work (Christian Lacroix, Valentino, and others). Lima's first big break came when she was featured in a Vassarette billboard in Times Square. Her print career followed, and like many other famous names (Claudia Schiffer, Laetitia Casta, Eva Herzigova), Lima became a GUESS? Girl in their 2000 campaign.
Adriana Lima continued to build upon her entry, doing more print work (Maybelline, Bebe, Mossimo, BCBG) and gracing the cover and editorials of more high fashion magazines (Harper's Bazaar, ELLE, Vogue). Probably best known for her Victoria's Secret work and Angel status, Lima first graced the VS runway in 1999, and was the show opener for the 2003 and 2007 Victoria's Secret Fashion Shows.
In 2001, Adriana Lima starred in the short BMW Film The Follow alongside actors Mickey Rourke, Clive Owen, and Forest Whitaker. In the film, Owen's character is hired to follow Adriana Lima, who is suspected of cheating on her famous husband, played by Rourke. The film had a runtime of 8:47 including credits, was written by Andrew Kevin Walker, and directed by Wong Kar-Wai. Lima made it clear that acting is not her priority and that she only did The Follow because it was a short film.
Adriana Lima, a Roman Catholic, was born an only child. Adriana Lima has has been romantically linked to celebrities in this past, including an engagement with rocker Lenny Kravitz and a relationship with Major League Baseball player Derek Jeter. She is currently known to be dating Prince Wenzeslaus of Liechtenstein. This relationship has been a relatively "hot" topic for the society spy columns and celebrity watchers, specifically Page 6, New York Post and Hola! online magazine.
Adriana Lima gained a massive amount of fame in Italy after her mega contract with the Italian cellphone carrier Telecom Italia Mobile grew very popular. In total it earned her 6 million dollars and she has said she's not able to walk down the street in Italy.
Adriana Lima also does charitable work helping with an orphanage, "Caminhos da Luz" (Ways of Light), located in her hometown. She helps with construction to expand the orphanage, and buys clothes for poor children in Salvador, Bahia.
Adriana Lima's father walked out on her and her mother when Adriana Lima was 6 months old, Lima has met him only once since. When she was about 15 years old Adriana wanted to travel to Miami for a modeling competition but she was not allowed to leave Brazil without certain legal papers that her father owned. Lima has said that she does not hate her father because "there is a reason for everything" and she believes that her life was fine growing up and that the presence of an unhappy father could have resulted in an unhappy home environment.
"I wouldn't change anything about my life. I am afraid that if I did, things might have turned out differently and I am currently living my dream. If that means I had to deal with demons, then I will do it. I got through everything and I am very proud of myself...Life without a father was confusing at times, I didn't know if I was to blame and I didn't know anything about him...but I love my mother and I have a bond with her that most people don't share with their own mothers. It all worked out."
For more on Adriana Lima including some Nude pictures
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