Who is Adriana Lima
Adriana Lima Biography
Adriana Lima is a Brazilian model and actress who has become one of the most recognizable faces in the fashion industry. She is best known for her work as a Victoria's Secret Angel, having walked in the company's annual fashion show for nearly 20 years. Lima's career has also included modeling for numerous other high-profile brands and appearing in films and television shows. Despite her success, Lima has remained grounded and humble, often using her platform to advocate for causes like environmental conservation and women's empowerment. She is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful women in the world, but it is her intelligence, grace, and generosity that truly make her a role model for women around the globe.
Adriana Lima Facts
- Adriana Lima was born on June 12, 1981, in Salvador, Brazil. She was raised by her mother and grandmother.
- Lima was discovered at the age of 13 while shopping at a local mall. She entered and won a modeling contest in Brazil, which led to her signing with Elite Model Management.
- In 1999, Lima moved to New York City and quickly became a sought-after model. She has walked in numerous high-profile fashion shows, including Victoria's Secret Fashion Shows, and has been featured in countless magazines and campaigns.
- Lima has been a Victoria's Secret Angel since 2000, and in 2008, she wore the Fantasy Bra, which was worth $5 million.
- In addition to modeling, Lima has also dabbled in acting. She has appeared in several films and TV shows, including "The Follow," "Ugly Betty," and "How I Met Your Mother."
- Lima is fluent in four languages: Portuguese, English, Spanish, and Italian.
- In 2011, Lima became a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF, and she has been actively involved in supporting various charities throughout her career.
- Lima has been married twice, first to Serbian NBA player Marko Jarić, with whom she has two children, and later to Turkish businessman Metin Hara.
- In 2018, Lima announced her retirement from the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, citing her desire to focus on other projects and spend more time with her family.
- Despite her immense success and fame, Lima is known for her down-to-earth personality and humble roots. She often credits her mother and grandmother for instilling in her the values of hard work and perseverance.
Adriana Lima Career highlights
1996: Adriana Lima, who had previously won beauty pageants during her school years, was introduced to modeling by a friend who urged her to join a modeling contest together. At the age of 15, she participated in Ford's "Supermodel of Brazil" competition, winning the first place, and later took second place in the 1996 Ford Models Supermodel of the World contest. She eventually moved to New York City and signed with Elite Model Management.
1997: Lima's modeling career took off, and she made her runway debut in 1997 at Anna Sui's New York Fashion Week show. Her runway work included prominent designers like Versace, Valentino, Prada, Louis Vuitton, and Victoria's Secret, among others. She graced various magazine covers, including Marie Claire Brazil and Vogue Italia, solidifying her position in the fashion world.
2000-2009: She became associated with GUESS? in 2000, appearing in their fall ad campaign. Lima also worked as a spokesmodel for Maybelline from 2003 to 2009, featuring in print and ad campaigns for several renowned fashion brands such as Armani, Versace, Prada, and Louis Vuitton. Lima's influence extended to magazine covers and editorials in prestigious publications like Vogue, ELLE, Harper's Bazaar, and GQ. Her journey in the fashion industry has been marked by numerous high-profile collaborations, runway appearances, and a strong presence in the world of fashion photography.
Her GQ cover in April 2006 emerged as the best-selling issue of the year and one of the magazine's all-time best sellers. She was acclaimed as "The World's Most Voluptuous Virgin" by the magazine. Notably, Lima's GQ cover in 2008 drove an unprecedented number of visits to the magazine's website. Lima's financial success was equally impressive. She ranked as the fifth highest-paid supermodel in 2006 and achieved the fourth spot in Forbes Magazine's list of highest-paid supermodels between 2007 and 2008. She also became the face of Italy's Telecom Italia Mobile, gaining the moniker "the Catherine Zeta-Jones of Italy." Lima also graced the covers of magazines like Esquire and Vanity Fair, re-creating iconic covers and celebrating the legacy of supermodels. Her influence extended internationally as she became the face of Mexico's Liverpool department store chain.
2009-2013: Adriana Lima's post-2009 career was marked by a return to the high fashion runway, beginning with Givenchy. Notably, she partnered with Doritos for print campaigns and commercials in Turkey. She remained a prominent face for Givenchy in the Fall/Winter 2009 season and participated in various notable fashion campaigns with acclaimed photographers.
Lima's endorsements spanned diverse brands, showcasing her versatility and global appeal. She represented Megacity by Votsu in Brazil and became the face of Turkish clothing company Mavi Jeans, significantly boosting sales and online engagement. Her collaboration with Mavi was so successful that she became the brand's global face. She continued to make a mark in artistic circles, posing for Visionaire no. 62 and being photographed by Richard Phillips, highlighting her magnetic presence and power. Lima's uniqueness was demonstrated by her appearance as the first pregnant woman in the Pirelli calendar.
Lima's influence also extended to the world of fashion events and brands. She headlined Desigual's campaigns, embodying their motto "life is cool." Her success continued financially, as she ranked third among the highest-paid supermodels in 2013 and second in 2014, according to Forbes' rankings.
2014-2018: Adriana Lima's career post-2014 was marked by a series of high-profile endorsements and campaigns. She resumed her role as a Maybelline New York spokesmodel, which she previously held between 2003 and 2009. Lima became the face of Jason Wu's Fall/Winter 2014 campaign, praised for her alluring and timeless aura that suited the brand's aesthetic. Her influence extended to luxury fashion brands, such as Swiss watch label IWC, where she starred in a campaign alongside Karolina Kurkova. In 2015, she was chosen to represent Vogue Eyewear and Marc Jacobs' fragrance Decadence. Her earnings and prominence continued to rise, ranking as the second highest paid supermodel in 2015 with $9 million.
Lima's global appeal was evident as she became the face of Italian lingerie brand Calzedonia's Swimwear collection in 2016. She also represented Brazilian culture and NBC as a food and culture correspondent during the 2016 Summer Olympics, showcasing her versatility both as a model and cultural ambassador. Throughout 2017 and beyond, Lima's endorsements expanded to include the Italian brand Sportmax, Puma, Schutz, Miu Miu, Chopard, and more. These collaborations demonstrated Lima's enduring relevance and adaptability in the ever-changing world of fashion and branding.
In July 2016, Adriana Lima played a central role in promoting Victoria's Secret's newly launched sports bra line, Victoria Sport, appearing in a commercial alongside fellow models Elsa Hosk, Romee Strijd, Jasmine Tookes, and Josephine Skriver. In recognition of her impact, Lima was named "the most valuable Victoria's Secret Angel" by analytics company D'Marie in January 2017. This recognition was based on an algorithm analyzing various social media metrics, reflecting her extensive reach, engagement, and influence across platforms. Lima's association with Victoria's Secret came to a significant conclusion in November 2018 when she walked her final catwalk for the brand's famed annual event, the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. This marked the culmination of her remarkable 18 appearances on the runway for Victoria's Secret.
Adriana Lima Personal life
Adriana Lima was born on June 12, 1981, in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. There was speculation that "Francesca" was her middle name, but she confirmed in an interview that her name is solely Adriana Lima. She was raised by her mother, Maria das Graças Lima, as her father left the family when she was an infant. Growing up in Salvador's Castelo Branco neighborhood, Lima initially aspired to be a pediatrician before entering the modeling world.
Lima's heritage is a blend of Portuguese, Native Brazilian, African, Japanese, Swiss, and West Indian roots. She personally identifies as Afro-Brazilian.
Between 2001 and 2003, Adriana Lima was in a relationship with American singer Lenny Kravitz, and they became engaged. During this time, she appeared in the music video for Kravitz's single "Yesterday Is Gone (My Dear Kay)". In 2009, Lima married Serbian NBA player Marko Jarić on Valentine's Day. They have two daughters together. However, in May 2014, they announced their separation and their divorce was finalized in March 2016.
In 2021, Lima began dating film producer Andre Lemmers. In February 2022, she announced on TikTok that she was expecting her third child, her first with Lemmers, and gave birth to a son in August 2022.
Lima is a devout Roman Catholic, attending Mass every Sunday. She has stated that she wanted to become a nun before entering the modeling industry. She has strong spiritual beliefs and often references her connection with the divine, energy, and spirits. She is known for carrying a Bible backstage before going onstage and has expressed her respect for Church teachings. She has also openly mentioned her devotion to Yemanjá, a water spirit from the Yoruba religion, on her social media.
Adriana Lima Quotes
"Don't try to be what you're not. If you're nervous, be nervous. If you're shy, be shy. It's cute." (Meaning)
"If you're nervous, that means you care and you want to give your best."
Adriana Lima Key Details
Birth Date: 12 June 1981, 23:10 (UTC-03:00)
Birth Place: Salvador, Brazil
Height: 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Hair color: Dark Brown
Eye color: Blue
Adriana Lima Human Design
Human Design Type: Emotional Projector
Profile: 6/2 - Role Model / Hermit
Definition: Single
Incarnation Cross: LAX Confrontation 1
Strategy: Wait for Invitation
Themes: Success / Bitterness
Design Date (UTC): 14 March 1981, 15:52:26
Brain: Passive
Determination: Cold
Cognition: Feeling
Environment: Mountains - Passive
Environment Style: Observer
Personality: Receptive
Motivation: Hope
Sense: Acceptance
Trajectory: Anti-Theist
View Perspective: Focused
View: Wanting
Transferred Motivation: Guilt
Transferred View: Survival
Channels: 30-41 (Recognition)
* The editor of this short biography made every effort to maintain information accuracy, including any quotes, facts, or key life events. If you're looking to expand your personal development, I recommend exploring other people's life stories and gaining inspiration from my collection of elevating quotes. Exposing yourself to different perspectives can broaden your worldview and help you with your personal growth.
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
