Adriana Lima was born on June 12, 1981, in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, raised in a modest family by her mother, Maria, a social worker, after her father left when she was six. Her ethnicity is a vibrant mix of Afro-Brazilian, Portuguese, Indigenous, Swiss, and Japanese ancestry, reflecting Brazil’s diverse heritage. She completed high school but pursued modeling over further education. Nicknamed “LimaBean” by friends, she entered the industry at 15 after winning Ford’s Supermodel of Brazil contest in 1996, placing second globally. Scouted during a shopping trip in Salvador, she moved to New York at 16, signing with Elite Model Management and debuting at Anna Sui’s 1997 runway show, launching her global career. In the 2000s, she was dubbed “The Queen of Victoria’s Secret” by media for her record-breaking tenure with the brand.Lima rose to fame in the late 1990s and 2000s as apart of "The Brazilian Bombshell” era of models from 2000-2010 that also featuredFernanda Tavares,Alessandra Ambrosio,Ana Beatriz Barros,Isabeli Fontana,Izabel Goulart,Caroline Trentini,Raquel Zimmermann,Michelle Alves,Gisele Bündchen,Caroline Ribeiro,Lais Ribeiro,Raica Oliveira,Flavia de OliveiraandEmanuela de Paula. Adriana’s modeling career skyrocketed, making her one of the world’s most iconic supermodels. Signed with Elite (New York), Women Management (Paris, Milan), and The Society Management, she walked for designers like Versace, Chanel, Dior, Givenchy, and Balmain. As a Victoria’s Secret Angel from 2000 to 2018, she appeared in 20 fashion shows, wearing the Fantasy Bra three times (2008, 2010, 2014). Her editorial work includes covers for Vogue (USA, Brazil, Italy, UK), Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, and GQ, with campaigns for Maybelline (2003–2009), Miu Miu, Donna Karan, and Marc Jacobs. Forbes ranked her the second highest-paid model in 2014 with $8 million, and her Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue appearances (2005, 2013) and 2008 Pirelli Calendar feature cemented her fame.Adriana maintains a strong social media presence, with over 14 million Instagram followers (@adrianalima), sharing modeling work, fitness routines, and family moments. Her mainstream career includes acting roles in The Follow (2001), a short film with Clive Owen, and TV appearances on Ugly Betty (2008), How I Met Your Mother (2007), and The Crazy Ones (2013). She hosted American Beauty Star (2017–2018) and appeared as a guest judge on Project Runway. High-profile events like the Met Gala (2004–2018) and her ambassador role for brands like IWC Schaffhausen and Puma have boosted her celebrity status, blending fashion with mainstream appeal.At 5’10” (178 cm) with measurements of 34-24-35 inches, Adriana Lima possesses a statuesque, curvaceous figure, long dark brown hair, and piercing blue-green eyes that exude intensity and allure. Her olive skin, high cheekbones, and full lips create a sultry, timeless beauty that shines in both high fashion and commercial work, particularly Victoria’s Secret’s lingerie campaigns. Her sex appeal, defined by her smoldering gaze and confident runway strut, earned her the title “the ultimate supermodel siren.” Photographers like Steven Meisel and peers like Gisele Bündchen have praised her “captivating presence,” with Vogue calling her “the face of Brazilian glamour” for her versatile, magnetic charm.Adriana faced minor controversies, notably criticism for her 2011 liquid diet before a Victoria’s Secret show, which she later clarified was not her norm, stating, “I’m healthy and work hard for it.” Her sexuality is reported as straight, and she was married to Serbian basketball player Marko Jarić from 2009 to 2016, with whom she has two daughters, Valentina (born 2009) and Sienna (born 2012). Since 2022, she has been with film producer Andre Lemmers, welcoming a son, Cyan, in 2022. Her net worth is estimated at $95 million, driven by modeling and endorsements. Some critics note her limited acting range, but her philanthropy, including work with orphanages in Bahia, has earned widespread admiration.At 44 in 2025, Adriana Lima’s legacy as Victoria’s Secret’s longest-serving Angel and a Brazilian fashion icon endures, inspiring models globally. On platforms like models.com, fans call her a “legendary beauty,” with one commenter noting, “Adriana’s intensity redefined supermodel stardom.” Her 2018 quote, “Beauty comes from within, but confidence makes it shine,” reflects her ethos. Currently, she focuses on selective modeling, appearing in a 2024 Harper’s Bazaar Brazil editorial and a 2025 Puma campaign, while living in Miami with her family. Her advocacy for children’s charities and sustainable fashion, alongside her enduring influence, solidifies her as a beloved figure in the industry.