Adriana Francesca Lima (born June 12, 1981 in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil) is a Brazilian supermodel, best known as one of the Victoria's Secret Angels.

Biography

Adriana Lima rose to stardom out of less than glamorous conditions. Lima was discovered at the age of 13 while shopping at a local mall. At the age of 15, she finished 1st place in a Ford Supermodel of Brazil model search. Lima later followed with a 2nd place finish in the 1996 Ford Supermodel of the World contest. ^[1]

Shortly after, Lima moved to New York City, and eventually moved on from Ford, signing with Elite Model Management. Her early career consisted mostly of fashion editorial work (with early appearances in international editions of Vogue and Marie Claire in 1997/1998), as well as runway work (Christian Lacroix, Valentino, and others). Lima's first big break came when she was featured in a Vassarette billboard in Times Square. Her print career followed, and like many other famous names (Claudia Schiffer, Laetitia Casta, Eva Herzigova), Lima became a GUESS? Girl in their 2000 Costanoa campaign.[1]

Lima then built upon her entry, doing more print work (Maybelline, bebe, Mossimo, BCBG) and gracing the cover and editorials of more high fashion magazines (Harper's Bazaar, ELLE). Probably best known for her Victoria's Secret work and Angel status (along with Heidi Klum and Gisele), Lima first graced the VS runway in 2000, and was the show opener for the 2003 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.[2]

In 2001 Adriana Lima starred in BMW Films short, "The Follow" alongside Mickey Rourke, Clive Owen, and Forest Whitaker. In the film, Owen's character is hired to follow Lima's, who is suspected of cheating on her famous husband, played by Rourke. The film had a runtime of 8:47 including credits, was written by Andrew Kevin Walker, and directed by Wong Kar-Wai.

Lima is currently represented by New York's DNA Models.

Personal life

Lima has dated many celebrities in the past, including an engagement with rocker Lenny Kravitz that ended in 2003 and Major League Baseball player Derek Jeter. She is currently dating Prince Wenzeslaus of Liechtenstein.

Lima revealed in the April 2006 cover feature of GQ magazine that, per her Catholic beliefs, she was still a virgin, explaining:

Lima does charitable work by helping with an orphanage, "Caminhos da Luz" (Ways of Light), located in her hometown. She helps with construction to expand the orphanage, and buys clothes for poor children in Salvador, Bahia. ^[1]

Facts and stats

• Height: 178 cm (5 ft 10 in)
• Measurements: 85-59-85 cm
• Dress Size: 4 (US); 34 (EU)
• Shoe Size: 9 (US); 41 (EU)
• Eyes: Blue-Grey ^[2] (sometimes described as Green)
• Hair: Dark Brown
• Ethnicity: French, Portuguese, Amerindian,Afro-Brazilian (of Caribbean ancestry) ^{[2] [3]}
• Nationality: Brazilian
• Languages Spoken: Portuguese, Spanish, and English ^[3]
• Ranked #57 in Maxim's Hot 100 (2003)
• Ranked #1 in AskMen.com's Top 99 Women (2005) ^[4]
• Ranked #4 in AskMen.com's Top 99 Women of 2006
• Spokesmodel of XOXO, Armani Jeans, GUESS? ^[5] and Victoria's Secret
• She started modeling at 13
• She has a pierced navel.
• She is a Gemini

Quotes

• "Modeling is a tough job, your co-workers are your rivals, it really puts a damper on your perspective of other girls." ^[2]

• "Fashion is about good energy. It's about feelings. That's what I have to give the people, good energy and good feelings." ^[2]

• "It's wrong for a guy to have no personality, no heart. Because I don't care about style or money. I care about heart."

• "People have asked me if Lenny (Kravitz) was good in bed. I have no idea, and I really don't care now!"

Notable work

• Vogue (Italy) 1998.
• Vogue (US) 1999
• Vogue (Brazil)

Runway

• Ralph Lauren
• Armani
• Valentino
• Christian Dior
• Christian Lacroix
• Victoria's Secret

Print

• GUESS?
• Maybelline
• Victoria's Secret
• Telecom Italia Mobile
• Luca Luca
• BCBG
• XOXO
• bebe
• 2005 Pirelli Calendar
• 2006 VS Show

References

1. ^ ^a b Adriana Lima, biography by Maybelline, accessed August 28th, 2005
2. ^ ^a b c d Adriana Lima, biography by Ask Men, accessed August 28th, 2005
3. ^ ^a b Adriana Lima, biography by About, accessed June 20, 2006
4. ^ Top 99 Women, by Ask Men, accessed August 28th, 2005
5. ^ Adriana Lima, biography by Guess Advertising, accessed August 28th, 2005

External links

• Official website (coming soon)
• Adrianna Lima Fan Site - Biography, Photo Gallery, Videos etc.
• Adriana Lima Compilation Video
• Adriana Lima at the Internet Movie Database
• Adriana Lima at TV.com

• DNA Models