Supermodels have some of the most glamorous and luxurious jobs among anyone out there. They get to travel the world, make appearances on the runways, and wear clothing from the most prestigious fashion labels. Oh, and they’re also pretty wealthy and good looking as well. However in an industry where your profession relies on your looks, there’s one big enemy: time. Twenty-year-old models look gorgeous now, but what about when they’re 50? Here we are going to take a look at a list of 20 famous supermodels and see what they looked like back then, and what they look like now.
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20. Linda Evangelista – age 50
Voted as the greatest supermodel of all time, this Canadian model was at her peak in the 1980’s and 1990’s. Unlike many of her contemporaries, she never branched into other areas of the business and remained a model until her retirement in 1998. She is known for notoriously saying, “we don’t wake up for less than $10,000 a day” referring to the world of the super models. In 1985, she began working with famed designer, Karl Lagerfeld who was the head designer at Chanel.
19. Paulina Porizkova – age 50
Hailing from the Czech Republic, Paulina Porizkova is a model and an actress who came into fame during the 1980’s and the 1990’s. In 1984 when she was just 18-years-old, Paulina was the first woman of Central European descent that was featured on the cover of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition, and then made the cover again for the next two years. After her career in modeling, she moved into the world of film, television, and has even become an author.
18. Cindy Crawford – age 49
This midwest beauty has been named by Forbes magazine as “the highest paid model on the planet” and is also made the list of “100 Hottest Women of all Time” by Men’s Health. In addition to her modeling work, she has appeared in music videos and has created her own line of anti-aging facial products. They sure do seem to be working. She was briefly married to Richard Gere and has two children with her husband, Randy Gerber.
17. Janice Dickinson – age 60
Janice Dickinson is an American model from Brooklyn who became extremely successful and famous during the 1970’s and the 1980’s. She has been described by many to be the world’s first supermodel, although I suppose some would debate that. Regardless, she was one of the greats and is one of the most famous models in the world.
16. Elle MacPherson – age 51
This Australian lady is known at “the body” attributed to her record of 5 Sports Illustrated swimsuit covers. But this beauty also has a brain as she was originally enrolled in law school in Australia and came to New York city to earn money as a model to pay for her law school books. The rest, as they say, is history. She has created her own line of lingerie and skin care and resides in London, England and Miami, Florida.
15. Iman – age 60
Man Abdulmajid is a Somalian born, now American, model that came to prominence in the 1970’s when she was featured in a 1976 issue of Vogue. Known for her tall and slender figure, her long neck, and her beautiful skin, she became an extremely successful model and worked in the industry for all the big names, namely Yves Saint-Laurent.
14. Helena Christensen – age 46
This former beauty queen (Miss Denmark) was born and raised in Copenhagen, and is best known as a Victoria’s Secret Angel. She has graced numerous magazine covers, been the spokesperson for Revlon, and has appeared in several music videos, most notably “Wicked Games” by Chris Isaak. She continues to model to this day and has graced numerous magazine covers as well as model for Reebok.
13. Claudia Schiffer – age 45
From Germany, Claudia Schiffer is another well-known supermodel who had no intentions of being model. Growing up she wanted to pursue law, however in 1987 when she was 17 she was approached by a modeling agent, and then went on into the industry. She had a successful career during the 1990’s and became the face of Chanel.
12. Christy Turlington – age 46
Born and raised in California, Christy Turlington has represented Mabeline and Calvin Klein and is married to the movie actor and director, Edward Burns. She along with Linda Evangalista and Naomi Campbell were known as “the trinity” in the world of supermodels. She has appeared in several films and music videos and has started her own charitable organization, “Every Mother Counts” which is dedicated to making pregnancy and childbirth safe for every mother.
11. Naomi Campbell – age 45
London born Naomi Campbell was recruited into the world of modeling at the young age of 15. She has continued to pursue modeling as well as other career options such as writing a novel, producing an R&B pop album, several appearances in film and television and has been part of the reality competition show, The Face. She also well known for her relationships with famous men, (Mike Tyson and Robert DeNiro) and her frequent and highly publicized convictions for assault.
10. Jerry Hall – age 59
Jerry Hall is an American model from Texas who was scouted by a French modeling agency when she was on vacation back in the day. She then moved to Paris, and quickly launched her career as a high-fashion model. She’s well-known in the industry as one of the greats, and was one of the most successful models ever.
9. Stephanie Seymour – age 47
Stephanie Seymour hails from beautiful San Diego and began her modeling career at 16 but soon was awarded the winner of the first Elite Model Management, “Look of the Year” award. She has appeared in numerous issues of Sport’s Illustrated’s Swimsuit issue as well as graced the covers Vogue and has even posed in the nude for Playboy magazine. She has also been in film and appeared in small roles in television.
8. Christie Brinkley – age 51
Probably the most well known super model the world over, Christie Brinkley grew up in Los Angeles and rose to fame with three consecutive Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue covers. For over 25 years, she was the face of CoverGirl cosmetics which is the longest running cosmetics contract of any model in history. She has appeared on over 500 magazine covers and has had numerous contracts with both fashion and non-fashion brands. Her iconic role as the beautiful dream girl driving a red corvette in National Lampoon’s Vacation has earned her many fans. Today she appears in a car commercial that lightly pokes fun at her role in Vacation. She has been married four times, most notably to singer Billy Joel.
7. Carol Alt – age 54
Carol Alt was born in New York City and became active as a model during the early 1980’s when she was scouted by an agent whilst she was working as a waitress when she was just 18. Carol decided to give it a try, and quickly became one of the biggest supermodels of all-time, and is referred to as “The Face”, for obvious reasons.
6. Kate Moss – age 41
Born and raised in London, Kate Moss was discovered at the young age of 14 while traveling through the JFK airport in New York. She is famous for her waif-like figure and for perpetuating the coveted size 0 in women’s fashion. This small size was in contrast to the other more buxom models of the day and began a controversial trend of “heroin chic”. She modeled for Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Calvin Klein, Chanel and Rimmel. In 2013, she received the British Fashion Award to commemorate her 25 years of contributions to the world of high fashion. She is involved in many charitable organizations including Elton John’s AIDS Foundation and Comic Relief.
5. Heidi Klum – age 42
Originally from Germany, Heidi Klum has expanded her career from modeling to television host, businesswoman, fashion designer, television producer, and even some occasional acting roles. She is probably best known for her appearances on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue and for being the first German Victoria’s Secret Angel. Most people in the U.S. know her from Project Runway which earned her an Emmy in 2013. She is currently one of the judges on America’s Got Talent. She was married to Seal for 7 years and had four children with him.
4. Twiggy – age 66
Lesley Lawson, best known as “Twiggy”, is an English model that’s considered to be one of the first supermodels ever. She became famous during the 1960’s and was known for her thin and petite frame, which earned her her nickname. She had a solid career as a model and eventually became an actress. She’s best known for her acting in the 1971 The Boy Friend, where she received two Golden Globe awards.
3. Kathy Ireland – age 52
Katy Ireland is from Glendale, California and is most well know for her modeling but is also an actress and entrepreneur. She also began her career at 16 with the Elite Modeling Agency. She rose to famed by gracing 13 consecutive Sports Illustrated Swimsuit magazines. She was able to parlay her connections to launch Kathy Ireland World Wide which has made her one of the world’s wealthiest models. Her company supports and promotes home decor and design and her line can be found in many large home fashion retailers. She married physician Greg Olsen in 1988 and has had three children with him.
2. Tyra Banks – age 41
Originally from California, Tyra Banks has done it all. Not only is she a model but is also a television personality, talk show host, producer, author, actress, singer, and business woman. She began her career at 15 and was signed the next year to the Elite Modeling Agency in New York city. In 2012, she enrolled in the nine week OPM program at Harvard University to help her develop and promote her own line of beauty products. She has been romantically involved with Seal and Will Smith and is an outspoken advocate against abusive relationships. She is most well known for the development of the reality program, America’s Next Top Model where she is the host, judge and executive producer.
1. Gisele Bündchen – age 35
Gisele Bündchen is one of the most famous supermodels of all-time, and is currently the highest paid model within the industry. From Brazil, she quickly grew to prominence in the late 1990’s, and has worked with a variety of different brands. Outside of modeling, she’s also known as an actress and is currently married to Tom Brady.
