2016’s Top 10 Highest Paid Models

Once again, many of the most well-known names and faces (and bodies!) in modelling managed to rake in millions upon millions of dollars this year. Indeed, many of the names on the list of the world’s highest paid models won’t come as any surprise, although a few had me raising my eyebrows (particularly the so-called “Instagirls” whose fame is due in large part to social media).

So here they are, the top 10 highest paid models in the world, with their income from the past year.

1. Gisele Bundchen, $30.5 million. Former Victoria’s Secret angel and Brazilian native Gisele has held the number 1 spot on this list since 2002! This despite the fact that she’s now age 36 and retired from the runways.
2. Adriana Lima, $10.5 million. Another former angel takes second place. Coincidentally, Lima is also Brazilian and also breaking down age barriers in the industry at age 35.
3. Kendall Jenner, $10 million. Yes, one of the youngest members of the Kardashian/Jenner family has launched her modeling career to success, with a huge Instagram following (64.5 million and counting). Kendall made the biggest income gains on the list, increasing her earnings by an impressive 150%.
4. Tying with Kendall for 3^rd place is Karlie Kloss, who worked hard this year (18 different brands) and was rewarded with twice as much income as the previous year.
5. Gigi Hadid, $9 million (tie), another “Instagirl” with a following of 22 million.
6. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, $9 million (tie) from the UK.
7. Cara Delevingne, $8.5 million from the UK.
8. Candice Swanepoel, $7 million (tie) from South Africa.
9. Liu Wen, $7 million (tie) from China and the only woman of color in the top 10 (Joan Smalls comes in at #16 and Jasmine Tookes ranks as #18).
10. Miranda Kerr, $6 million from Australia.