Adriana Lima

Adriana Lima (born June 12[4] 1981) is a Brazilian model known for her work with Victoria's Secret lingerie giant and Maybelline cosmetics. Lima was discovered at age 13, and entered and finished first in Brazil's Ford Supermodel of the World competition with 15, finishing second the following year before signing with Elite Model Management in New York City.

Lima is of African, Native South American and Swiss descent,[5][6][7] was born in the northeastern coastal town of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil on June 12, 1981. Her father, of which she was estranged for most of her life is Nelson Torres and her mother, Maria da Graça Lima, was a social worker who gave birth to Lima at the age of 18. Lima revealed that her father had walked out on her family when she was six months old[8], but has been making recent attempts to reconcile.[8]. In late 2007, Lima revealed on the Hollywood Walk of Fame that she has two half brothers, aged 7 and 11, from her father's second marriage.[9] Although, she is her Mother's only child. [10] Coming from a poor family, Lima's first travel was on a plane at the age of 15. She was raised mostly by her mother, and grandmother.[8]


Victoria's Secret

Lima is probably best known for her work with Victoria's Secret. She first graced the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in 1999 and has appeared on subsequent shows ever since. Her most notable walk down the runway was in 2003, where she was the show opener. Lima was contracted to become an angel for Victoria's Secret in 2000 and has kept her spot ever since. Lima had appeared on several television ads for the brand but her most memorable one, was appearing alongside the legendary rock musician Bob Dylan in 2003 Victoria's Secret Angel in Venice commercial which received both praise and criticism.[19][20] She is currently a contract "Angel" and spokesperson for the brand. She was the sole model in Victoria's Secret's Super Bowl XLII ad.[13] It was the single most-seen ad in the game, watched by 103.7 million viewers.