Adriana Lima Biography: Adriana Lima born June 12, 1981) is a Brazilian supermodel best known for her long-running association with Victoria’s Secret. She served as a Victoria’s Secret Angel from 1999 to 2018, making her the longest-serving model in the brand’s history. In 2017, she was recognized as the “most valuable Victoria’s Secret Angel.” Lima has also been a prominent face of Maybelline since 2003 and gained additional fame through Super Bowl and Kia Motors commercials.
Adriana Lima Biography
Adriana Lima is a Brazilian supermodel, actress, and businesswoman who rose to fame at just fifteen years old. Quickly becoming one of the most successful models ever, she is globally recognized as a fashion icon. Best known for her long tenure as a Victoria’s Secret Angel from 1999 to 2018, Lima holds the record as the brand’s longest-running model and was named “the most valuable Victoria’s Secret Angel” in 2017.
Adriana Lima Biography 2025 Details
Born | 12 June 1981 Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
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Occupation | Model |
Years active | 1997–present |
Spouses |
Marko Jarić (m. 2009; div. 2016)
Andre Lemmers
(m. 2024)
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Children | 3 |
Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
Hair color | Dark Brown |
Eye color | Blue |
Agency |
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Category | Singers Bio |
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About Adriana Lima
Adriana Lima is a Brazilian model. She was a Victoria’s Secret Angel from 1999 to 2018. she was the longest-running model and named “the most valuable Victoria’s Secret Angel” in 2017. She is also known as a spokesmodel for Maybelline cosmetics since 2003, and for her Super Bowl and Kia Motors commercials.
Adriana Lima Achievements
She began her modeling career at age 15 by winning Ford Models’ Supermodel of Brazil competition. The following year, she placed second in the Supermodel of the World contest and soon signed with Elite Model Management in New York City. Lima is currently listed by models.com as one of the “New Supers.” Since 2014, she has consistently ranked as one of the world’s highest-paid models.
Adriana Lima Personal Life
She has also ventured into film and television acting. One of her most notable moments was the 2009 Victoria’s Secret Super Bowl commercial, which reached an astounding 103.7 million viewers, earning the title of “The Most Watched Commercial in Television History” by Nielsen. Lima’s modeling journey began after winning Ford’s “Supermodel of Brazil” competition and securing second place in the “Supermodel of the World” contest.
Adriana Lima Wiki
- Born: 12 June 1981 (age 44 years), Salvador, State of Bahia, Brazil
- Spouse: Andre L III (m. 2024), Marko Jarić (m. 2009–2016)
- Height: 1.78 m
- Parents: Nelson Torres, Maria da Graça Lima
- Children: 3
- Agency: The Society Management (New York); Elite Model Management (Paris, London, Milan);
Early Life
Adriana Lima was born on June 12, 1981, in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Although some sources have claimed her middle name is “Francesca,” Lima clarified in a 2010 interview with W Radio Colombia that her full name is simply Adriana Lima. Her parents are Maria das Graças Lima, a social worker, and Nelson Torres, a carpenter. Torres left the family when Lima was just six months old, and she was raised solely by her mother. Despite their early separation, Lima has spoken fondly of the time she spent with her father before his passing in 2015.
Raised in Salvador’s Castelo Branco neighborhood, Lima originally aspired to become a pediatrician before entering the world of modeling. Her heritage is diverse, including Portuguese, Indigenous Brazilian, African, Japanese, Swiss, and West Indian roots. She personally identifies as Afro-Brazilian. Lima is also multilingual, fluent in Portuguese, English, Italian, and Spanish.
Key Facts
- Full Name: Adriana Francesca Lima
- Date of Birth: June 12, 1981
- Birthplace: Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
- Nationality: Brazilian
- Height: 5’10” (1.78 m)
- Net Worth: $95 million
Career Beginnings and Rise to Fame
After signing with Elite Model Management in New York, Lima’s career rapidly ascended. In 1999, she joined Victoria’s Secret as an Angel, a partnership that would define much of her professional life. She participated in 18 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Shows between 1999 and 2018, earning the title of “the most valuable Victoria’s Secret Angel” in 2017.
Key Career Milestones
- Opened the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show five times (2003, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012)
- Wore the Fantasy Bra three times
- Became the face of Maybelline in 2003
- Starred in major campaigns for Versace, Giorgio Armani, Louis Vuitton, Prada, and Guess
- Appeared in TV shows such as How I Met Your Mother and Ugly Betty, and the film Ocean’s Eight
- In 2016, she earned $10.5 million, ranking among the world’s top-paid models
Achievements and Recognition
Lima has been featured on the covers of Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, ELLE, GQ, and more. Her 2009 Super Bowl commercial for Victoria’s Secret reached over 100 million viewers, making it one of the most-watched ads in TV history.
- Frequently listed on Forbes’ top-earning models
- Named “Most Desirable Woman” by AskMen.com in 2005
- Honored as a Fashion Icon by the Daily Front Row Awards (2019)
- Included in People Magazine’s “100 Most Beautiful People”
- Returned to the Victoria’s Secret runway in October 2024 after a six-year hiatus
Personal Life and Relationships
Adriana married Serbian NBA player Marko Jarić in 2009. They had two daughters—Valentina and Sienna—before divorcing in 2016. She is currently in a relationship with film producer Andre Lemmers III, with whom she has a son, Cyan, born in 2022. Lima is known for her strong family values and often shares moments from her personal life on social media.
Philanthropy and Legacy
Adriana is deeply involved in philanthropy, especially supporting children. She has contributed to the Caminhos da Luz orphanage in her hometown and has donated clothing and money to causes supporting underprivileged and ill children—including a donation from a Turkish game show to help young leukemia patients. Her legacy extends beyond fashion, as she is praised for challenging beauty standards and representing diversity in the industry.
Interesting Facts
- Once considered becoming a nun before pursuing modeling
- An avid boxing enthusiast
- Practices Catholic values and once shared she intended to remain celibate until marriage
- Named #1 on Models.com’s “Sexiest Models” list
Current Relevance and Future Plans
Adriana Lima remains active in fashion and continues to inspire through her philanthropy and motherhood. Her return to the Victoria’s Secret runway in 2024 was a moment of celebration for fans, signaling that her influence in the industry is far from over. She continues to explore new ventures while empowering the next generation of models.
Adriana Lima Net Worth 2025
As of 2025, Adriana Lima’s estimated net worth is $95 million. Her income sources include:
- Major modeling contracts (Victoria’s Secret, Maybelline)
- Endorsement deals (Puma, Chopard, IWC)
- Real estate ventures, including the sale of a Manhattan condo for $3.3 million in 2018
While she enjoys a luxurious lifestyle, Lima remains grounded through her charitable work.
FAQs
At what age did Adriana Lima stop modeling?
News of her exit broke after Lima, 37, posted an Instagram video featuring a highlight of her favorite walks at the trademark production. Lima has been the face of many clothing lines and several magazines, making her retirement from the modeling world an important announcement.
How many times did Adriana Lima wear the Fantasy Bra?
Adriana Lima is one of only two Victoria’s Secret Angels to have worn the Fantasy Bra three times during her career.
Which Victoria’s Secret shows did Adriana Lima open?
Adriana Lima opened the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show five times—in 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010, and 2012.
What was special about Adriana Lima’s 2009 Super Bowl commercial?
Her 2009 Victoria’s Secret Super Bowl commercial was viewed by 103.7 million people and was declared “The Most Watched Commercial in the History of Television” by Nielsen.
How many Victoria’s Secret Fashion Shows did Adriana Lima participate in?
Adriana Lima walked in 18 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Shows before her final appearance in 2018.
What designers has Adriana Lima walked for besides Victoria’s Secret?
Besides Victoria’s Secret, Adriana Lima has walked runway shows for designers such as Versace, Giorgio Armani, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Christian Dior, Vera Wang, Jason Wu, Alexandre Herchcovitch, and Anna Sui.