The World's Savviest Supermodel

The Brazilian bombshell, just re-named the world’s top-earning model, is also its shrewdest businesswoman. Dom Phillips reports from her home country on the unstoppable Bündchen empire. Plus, VIEW OUR GALLERY.

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galleries/2010/05/31/the-world-s-savviest-supermodel/gisele---11_ubnkd6 — On the runway in Christmas-themed lingerie at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in 2005. Bündchen reportedly signed a deal with Victoria’s Secret for $25 million in 2006.
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galleries/2010/05/31/the-world-s-savviest-supermodel/gisele---1_eqfqxm — With Tyra Banks, Heidi Klum, Alessandra Ambrosio, and Adriana Lima at the Victoria’s Secret store in Los Angeles during the Angels Across America campaign in 2004.
Matthew Simmons / Getty Images

galleries/2010/05/31/the-world-s-savviest-supermodel/gisele---3_ffps60 — Posing on stage with Angela Lindvall, Karolina Kurkova, Tyra Banks, Heidi Klum, Adriana Lima, and Naomi Campbell at the end of a Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.
Kevin Mazur / WireImage

galleries/2010/05/31/the-world-s-savviest-supermodel/gisele---4_uztrzb — Goofing around with Heidi Klum backstage at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in 2003.
Bill Davila / FilmMagic

galleries/2010/05/31/the-world-s-savviest-supermodel/gisele---15_yq8obo — Gisele with her parents at a New York premiere in 2004. Born in Três de Maio, Brazil, Gisele has five other sisters, including a twin sister.
Newscom

galleries/2010/05/31/the-world-s-savviest-supermodel/gisele---7_rf3swg — In a prim suit during the Christian Dior Haute Couture Fall/Winter show in 2008.
Tony Barson / Getty Images

galleries/2010/05/31/the-world-s-savviest-supermodel/gisele---13_apgu1z — Rocking the runway in a corset dress during the Dolce & Gabbana Fall/Winter show in 2007.
Venturelli / WireImage

galleries/2010/05/31/the-world-s-savviest-supermodel/gisele---8_d4fglg — Gisele dated Leonardo DiCaprio from 2000 to 2005—and walked the red carpet with him at the Academy Awards in 2005, when he was nominated for Best Actor for his role in The Aviator.
Frank Micelotta / Getty Images

galleries/2010/05/31/the-world-s-savviest-supermodel/gisele---9_yzwrgh — Gisele has five sisters, including a fraternal twin. Here, she poses with two sisters at an event in 2007.
John Parra / WireImage

galleries/2010/05/31/the-world-s-savviest-supermodel/gisele---12_xlhwsm — Gisele has graced the covers of countless magazines, and she made her debut on the cover of British Vogue in 1998. Some of her most famous covers include Vogue’s April 2008 “Shape Issue,” in which she appeared alongside LeBron James, and Vanity Fair in May 2009, in which she posed wearing nothing but a sleeping mask.

galleries/2010/05/31/the-world-s-savviest-supermodel/gisele---2_gfj2rp — Walking while nine months pregnant with her son, Benjamin Rein, in November 2009. Immediately after his birth, she got back her model figure. “I think it’s muscle memory,” she told Vogue. “I did kung fu up until two weeks before Benjamin was born, and yoga three days a week. I think a lot of people get pregnant and decide they can turn into garbage disposals. I was mindful about what I ate, and I gained only 30 pounds."
Christopher Peterson / /FilmMagic

galleries/2010/05/31/the-world-s-savviest-supermodel/gisele---14_u9l6ch — With husband Tom Brady, his son Jack, and their newborn, Benjamin Rein, in Santa Monica. “I don’t trust anyone else with Benjamin,” she has said of caring for her child.
Splash News

galleries/2010/05/31/the-world-s-savviest-supermodel/gisele---5_nbuaei — Dressed in a woven Alexander Wang bandage dress, Bündchen wowed the crowd with Brady at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s annual gala in May.
Larry Busacca / Getty Images

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