Although, “beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” there are few lists surfacing the internet that states the most beautiful models in the world. From the exotic beauties born in North/South America to the sophisticated ones of Europe all the way to the enchanting females of Asia, the world is full of gorgeousness one could only wish to see. Since there is so much beauty present in the world, we comprised a list of the 50 most beautiful models in the world that have changed the modeling world.
1. Gisele Bündchen
Gisele Bündchen is a Brazilian model who has gained a lot of popularity for her unique appearance and exotic ramp walk. Known as the pioneer of the horse walk (a walk in which a model raises her knees up high while kicking her feet out from the front), Bündchen has been the face for more than 20 famous brands. These brands include Christian Dior, Nivea, Victoria’s Secret and many more. She has been listed as the World’s Richest Model in the Guinness Book of World Records and she is considered the Best Paid Model of All Time by Forbes.
2. Heidi Klum
Heidi Klum is a German model. Although, she is popularly known for her modeling, Klum is a business woman, television producer and host, occasional actress, and a fashion designer. In 2008, she became an official American citizen, but she still maintains her German citizenship. In 1997, Klum became the first German to become a Victoria’s Secret Angel. Internationally, Klum is acknowledged for her appearance on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issues.
3. Tyra Banks
Tyra Banks is an American supermodel. She gained her popularity from appearing on the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover twice and she was one of the original Victoria Secret’s Angels. In the early 2000’s, Banks was the world’s top earning model. Apart from being “the” super model of her time, Banks is popularly known for her smize (a way of smiling with your eyes). Being a coach for young models, Banks was the host and judge of America’s Next Top Model.
4. Cindy Crawford
Cindy Crawford is an American model. Because she got so much success in modeling, she has become an international celebrity that is getting lead roles in films and television. In 1995, Forbes named her the highest paid model on the planet. The mole above her lip has become a trademark. She has been on the cover of W, Vogue, Elle, Allure, People, and Cosmopolitan multiple times. Crawford has also walked the runways for designers like Dior, Ralph Lauren, Valentino, Chanel, Hermes, and many more.
5. Adriana Lima
Adriana Lima is a Brazilian model popularly known as a Victoria’s Secret Angel since 2000. From 2003 to 2009, Lima was also the spokesmodel for Maybelline Cosmetics. When she was 15, Lima finished in first place in the “Supermodel of Brazil” competition. The following year, she came in second place for the Ford “Supermodel of the World” competition. After that, she was signed with Elite Model Management in New York City. She was also the 4th highest earning model according to Forbes in 2012.
6. Alessandra Ambrosio
Alessandra Ambrosio is a Brazilian model. Known popularly for her great work with Victoria’s Secret, Ambrosio became the first spokesmodel for the “PINK” Victoria’s Secret line. Currently, she is a Victoria’s Secret Angel (she also wore the fantasy bra during the 2012 fashion show) while modeling for top designers like Christian Dior, Ralph Lauren, Next, and Armani Exchange. Ambrosio is also the brand ambassador for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. According to the Forbes top earning models list, Ambrosio was the 6th highest earning model of 2012.
7. Miranda Kerr
Miranda Kerr is an Australian model who gained popularity during the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in 2007. Kerr is the first Australian who campaigned for Victoria’s Secret. From the ripe age of 13, Kerr has been modeling when she was working with Chaay’s Modeling Agency and she won the Australian nationwide model search hosted by Dolly Magazine in 1997. Since gaining her popularity in the modeling world, Kerr has launched an organic skincare brand called KORA Organics and she has written a self-help book called Treasure Yourself.
8. Karlie Kloss
Karlie Kloss is an American model. According to models.com, she is ranked as a supermodel. Vogue Paris declared her to be one of the top 30 models of the 2000s. She was also a Victoria’s Secret Model from 2013 to 2015. Kloss has had an incredible journey. From being the face of multiple world renowned brands and magazine covers, she has walked the ramp for the most famous designers. She is signed by IMG models and she continues to impress everyone with her world class performance.
9. Lily Cole
Lily Cole is an English model. At the age of 16, the British Fashion Awards named her the model of the year. In 2009, Vogue Paris named her as one of the top 30 models of the 2000s. Cole has been the face of many famous magazines like Vogue and Elle. She has also walked the ramp for famous designers during famous, annual fashion shows like Milan and Paris Fashion Week.
10. Kendall Jenner
Kendall Jenner is an American model. She was first seen on an E! reality show called Keeping Up with the Kardashians. Jenner is a part of the emerging fashion movement known as the “Social Media Modeling” by Harper’s Bazaar and another one by Vogue called “the Instagirl era.” At a young age, Jenner was doing commercial modeling, photo shoots for magazines, and other projects, but her breakout was in 2014. This was when she hit the runway during world-class fashion shows like Paris, New York and Milan Fashion Week. In 2016, Jenner got her own pair of Victoria’s Secret Angel Wings as well.
11. Gigi Hadid
Gigi Hadid is an American Model. In 2013, she was signed to IMG Models and in 2014; she appeared on the list of Top 50 Models ranked by models.com. In 2016, the British Fashion Council named her the International Model of the Year. Hadid was seen alongside Patrick Schwarzenegger for the 2014 Tom Ford Eyewear campaign. Hadid is currently working to break the record of appearing the most on Vogue Magazine’s covers. Currently she has been on 35, but she is working to be on more.
12. Lily Aldridge
Lily Aldridge is an American model. She is known for being a Victoria’s Secret Angel and she has walked multiple times for the brand. In 2010, Aldridge received her wings in her second Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Apart from that, this model has appeared as a rookie alongside Nina Agdal and Chrissy Teigen for the 50th anniversary of Sports Illustrated. In 2008, she was seen on the cover of Vogue for the first time. She has been on the cover for many famous magazines like Elle Korea, Elle Vietnam, Elle Brazil, Esquire Mexico, and more.
13. Candice Swanepoel
Candice Swanepoel is a South African model who is popularly known for her work with Victoria’s Secret. In 2010, she received her wings from the brand. Swanepoel was #8 on the Forbes “The World’s Top-Earning Models” list in 2016. She has been on the cover of popular covers like British, American, Brazilian, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Greek, Russian, and Australian Vogue. She has also walked the ramp for some of the most famous designers like Chanel, Fendi, Dior, Givenchy, Tommy Hilfiger, Michael Kors and many more.
14. Bar Refaeli
Bar Refaeli is an Israeli model along with being a business woman, television host, and actress. Refaeil is considered to be one of the most successful Israeli models in the world. She has been the face of many popular campaigns for Gap, Garnier, Chanel, Subaru, Moët & Chandon, Escada, Accessorize, Samsung, and many more. Refaeli has also been on the covers of famous magazines like GQ, Cosmopolitan, Marie Clair, Elle, Glamour, Maxim, Harper’s Bazaar, Sports Illustrated, Grazia, and Esquire. In 2012, she was voted as the #1 on Maxim Magazine’s Hot 100 list.
15. Brooklyn Decker 
Brooklyn Decker is an American model. Apart from being the face of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue a few times (along with being on the cover in 2010), Decker has also made a few appearances on television. She has also been a part of the Victoria’s Secret “Swim” Collection in 2010, and made a few guest appearances in Ugly Betty, Royal Pains, Chuck, and The League. She made her debut in the film industry with the movie Just Go with It and she later appeared alongside Jennifer Lopez and Cameron Diaz in What to Expect When You’re Expecting.
16. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is an English model who occasionally acts as well. She is popularly known for her works with Victoria’s Secret lingerie retailer and she is one of the most prestigious Angels for the brand. She has done work with Burberry and she was the face of “Burberry Body” in 2011. She has appeared in Transformers: Dark of the Moon in 2011.
17. Kate Moss
Kate Moss is an English Model. She was discovered by the Sarah Doukas, the founder of Storm Model Management at the age of 14 at JFK Airport. In the early 1990’s she gained quite a lot of popularly. Moss is known for her waifish figure and size-zero body. She has campaigned for designers like Dolce & Gabbana, Chanel, Gucci, Calvin Klein and Rimmel. In 2013, she received an award during the British Fashion Awards for being in the fashion industry for over 25 years.
18. Barbara Palvin
Barbara Palvin is a Hungarian model. At the age of 13, found on the streets of Budapest, Palvin was photographed for her first ever editorial. Since then, Palvin has appeared on many international magazine covers. In 2016, she received the “Rookie of the Year” award by Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Palvin is the first Hungarian to walk in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion show and in 2019; she received her own wings from Victoria’s Secret.
19. Taylor Hill
Taylor Hill is an American Model. At the age of 14, she was discovered by Jim Jordan in a barn in Colorado. In 2013, she started her modeling career by being featured in the Intimissimi catalog. She has also been campaigning for Forever 21. In 2014, she walked in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show for the first time. In 2015, she was voted as the “Most Promising Model” by Couturesque’s readers and that year she also received her wings from Victoria’s Secret.
20. Cara Delevingne
Cara Delevingne is an English model. Her modeling career started at a very young age. According to British Vogue, Delevingne was the “star face” of their 2012-2013 autumn/winter line. She walked for brands like Fendi, Burberry, Stella McCartner, Shiatzy, Moschino, Chanel, Givenchy, and many more. At the British Fashion Awards in 2014, Delevingne received the “Model of the Year” award. Delevingne has made a few appearances in films as well.
21. Naomi Campbell
Naomi Campbell is an English model. She was recruited when she was 15, and she managed to establish herself as the top three in-demand and most recognizable models in the late 1980s. For the longest time, Campbell has been considered a supermodel and for the right reasons. Apart from being a successful model, Campbell has involved herself in different ventures as well.
22. Christy Turlington Burns
Christy Turlington Burns is an American model. Currently she is representing Maybelline, and is the face of Calvin Klein’s Eternity campaign. In 2013, she was named woman of the year by Glamour Magazine. In 2014, she was on the Time’s 100 Most Influential People list. She gained her popularity during the early 90s as a supermodel. She was the face of many famous brands and walked for many designers.
23. Kelly Brook
Kelly Brook is an English model and actress. Brook’s career in modeling began when she was 16 when she won the beauty completion. Later, she worked for advertising campaigns including Bravissimo, a brand that makes bras for women with large breasts. Brook has appeared on the cover of magazines like FHM, GQ, and Loaded. She is considered to be a sex symbol and style icon. She has also appeared on the “Sexiest Woman” list couple of times as well.
24. Milla Jovovich 
Milla Jovovich is an American model, fashion designer, actress, and musician. Although, she was born in the Soviet Union, her family immigrated to the States when she was 5. Her modeling career began in 1987, when she was photographed by Herb Ritts for an Italian Magazine Cover. She has been featured in the Revlon’s “Most Unforgettable Women in the World” advertisement and other campaigns of prominent companies.
25. Marisa Miller
Marisa Miller is an American Model. She is popularly known for her works with Victoria’s Secret and her appearances in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. After a great photo shoot with maestro Mario Testino, Miller got signed with magazines like Vogue. She was a Victoria’s Secret Angel and was on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 2008. Because of how much she has achieved, she has been given the title of “return of the great American supermodel.”
26. Elizabeth Hurley
Elizabeth Hurley is an English model. She received her first modeling job by Estee Lauder at the age of 29 because she was working for the company. She has been featured as the model and representative of the products. She was the face of their famous perfumes such as Pleasures, Sensuous, and Intuition. Now, this successful woman owns her own beachwear line.
27. Elle Macpherson
Elle Macpherson is an Australian model, business woman, host, and actress. She is known to hold the record of appearing five times on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in the 1980s. Because of those appearances, she was nicknamed “The Body.” She is the model and creative director for many business ventures, which includes Elle Macpherson Intimates, The Body, a skin care products line and a lingerie line.
28. Beverly Johnson
Beverly Johnson is an American model. On August 1974, Johnson made history when she became the first ever African American woman to be on the cover of American Vogue. She was also the first ever black woman that appeared on the cover of Elle France. Apart from working as a model, she has made a few appearances on television as well.
29. Christie Brinkley
Christie Brinkley is an American model. She gained her fame in the late 1970s when she appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue three times in a row. For the next 20 years, she was the face of CoverGirl, she has appeared on multiple magazine covers, and she has been signed with the biggest brands in the world. She has been working as an actress, writer, human and animal activist, designer, illustration, and photographer as well.
30. Aurélie Claudel
Aurélie Claudel is a French model. She has been the face of many magazine covers including Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue, Elle, Glamour, Marie Clair, Allure, Flair, D Magazine, W Magazine, and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. In addition to that, she has worked with some of the most famous photographers in the world. She was the face of Calvin Klein’s Truth fragrance. Claudel has walked the ramp for famous brands like Victoria’s Secret, Ralph Lauren, Dior, Fendi, and many more.
31. Irina Shayk
Irina Shayk is a Russian Model. She is known as the first Russian model to make an appearance on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. She has worked with famous brands like Victoria’s Secret, Lacoste, Armani, Marc Jacobs, Givenchy, and many more. She has been on the cover on many magazines, walked multiple runways for famous designers, and she was considered to be the “Sexiest Woman in the World” at one point.
32. Doutzen Kroes
Doutzen Kroes is a Dutch model. In 2004, Kroes started working with Victoria’s Secret, she got her wings in 2008, and she bid a farewell to the brand in 2015. In 2013, she became the first model in history to be on the cover of four international Vogue covers. In 2014, she was listed as the second top earning model according to Forbes. Currently, she is the brand ambassador of L’Oréal.
33. Tricia Helfer
Tricia Helfer is a Canadian model. In 1992, Helfer won the Ford “Supermodel of the World” contest. Although she retired from modeling in 2002, Helfer has appeared in many ad campaigns for Chanel, Versace, Ralph Lauren, and Giorgio Armani. She has also appeared on many magazine covers and was ranked at #57 as Maxim‘s Hot 100 Women of 2007.
34. Olga Kurylenko
Olga Kurylenko is a French model. She was discovered when she was 13, and at 16 she moved to Paris to follow her passion. After she appeared on the cover of some prominent magazines (like Marie Claire, Elle, and Vogue), Kurylenko started appearing on the big screen alongside famous Hollywood actors.
35. Liu Wen
Liu Wen is a Chinese model who is known as the first ever Asian model to appear on the annual Forbes list. She is also the first ever Asian who became the brand ambassador for Estee Lauder. In 2017, Wen appeared on the cover of American Vogue, making history again by becoming the first Asian to be on the cover of American Vogue. However, she became a national success when she appeared on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar.
36. Joanna Krupa
Joanna Krupa is a Polish America model. In 2004-2005, Krupa was named German Maxim’s Model of the Year. She has also appeared on the cover of Stuff, Steppin’ Out, FHM, Maxim (she was named the Sexiest Swimsuit Model in the world), and Shape. She has also appeared on the cover of Playboy twice and many other magazine covers.
37. Ana Beatriz Barros
Ana Beatriz Barros is a Brazilian model. She has appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issues as well as worked with Victoria’s Secret, Bebe, Chanel cosmetics, Guess?, and Jennifer Lopez’s Fashion Line called JLO.
38. Claudia Schiffer
Claudia Schiffer is a German model. In 1987, she was discovered in a nightclub and that was when she started her modeling career. A couple weeks later, she appeared on the cover of Elle Magazine. A little while later, she was seen on the ramp for Chanel. In the early 1990’s she also campaigned for Guess jeans. She has also done advertisements for Accessorize and Mango. Schiffer has appeared on many magazine covers and remains a fashion icon.
39. Kathy Ireland
Kathy Ireland is an American model. During the 1980’s and 1990’s, she was considered a supermodel. She gained her popularity when she appeared on the cover Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue 13 times in a row. In 1993, Ireland launched a brand by the name “Kathy Ireland Worldwide” which made her the wealthiest —former—model in the world.
40. Laetitia Casta
Laetitia Casta is a French model. In 1993, she became a “GUESS? Girl.” From 1998 to 2000, she was known as a Victoria Secret Angel and then she became the spokesperson for L’Oreal. She has been on the cover of over 100 magazines including Rolling Stone, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Vogue, and Elle. She has also modeled for famous designers like Louis Vuitton, Yves Saint Laurent, Tommy Hilfiger, Givenchy, and many more.
41. Chiharu Okunugi
Chiharu Okunugi is a Japanese model. She was discovered when she was still in school. However, now she is being represented by many fashion brands. Moreover, she has walked the ramp for famous brands like Chanel, Marc Jacobs, Prada, Dior, and many more. She is believed to be one of the most exceptional and talented models of Asia.
42. Selita Ebanks
Selita Ebanks is a Cayman-born British model. She has appeared on the cover of magazines like Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and Vogue. And she has worked with high fashion brands. From 2005 to 2009, she was a Victoria’s Secret Angel as well.
43. Mahnoor Baloch
Mahnoor Baloch is a Pakistani model. She is popularly known for her ability to look younger than all the women in her age group while maintaining her classy persona. At the age of 20, she started walking the ramp in Pakistan, setting new standards of beauty. However, later she figured that ramp walking was not her forte so she quit and started modeling for advertisements and later went into acting.
44. Estella Warren
Estella Warren is a Canadian model. In 1994, she got signed with Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and brands like Victoria’s Secret and Perry Ellis. Apart from appearing on the cover of famous magazines, Warren has received titles like Maxim’s #1 hottest and the world’s most beautiful woman. She was also the face of Chanel No. 5.
45. Carol Gracias
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@chola_the_label @siddharthlalchandani @fredieshah #cholatribals #model #backtowork #lovemyjob
Carol Gracias is an Indian model. She is one of India’s most talked about model. Gracias is a rising star that secures a successful model persona. Her exotic look and charm on the ramp has earned her the title of being “India’s elite look of the year.”
46. Paulina Porizkova
Paulina Porizkova is Czech model who holds a U.S. and Swedish citizenship. In 1984, she became the first woman from Central Europe to be featured on the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, but she was the second woman to appear on the cover of the magazine consecutive times in a row. After walking the ramp for many designers and being a part of multiple ad campaigns, she became a judge on America’s Next Top Model alongside Tyra Banks.
47. Cheryl Tiegs
Cheryl Tiegs is an American model. She is often referred to as the first American Super Model. She has made multiple appearances on the cover of TIME, Elle, Vogue and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. In 1978, she was on the poster of “Pink Bikini” that became an iconic picture for the pop culture. People put Tiegs’ name down on the “50 Most Beautiful People in The World” list as well.
48. Natalia Vodianova
Natalia Vodianova is a Russian model. Given the nickname Supernova, Vodianova is popularly known for her story of how she went from rags to riches. Moreover, she has an eight seasons, seven digit contract with the world famous brand, Calvin Klein that makes her an even more prominent in the modeling world. In 2012, she was listed as the third top earning model according to Forbes’ list. She has worked with the world’s most famous photographers, designers, and brands while appearing on the cover of the most popular magazines.
49. Karolína Kurková
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#throwbackthursday ? @victoriassecret #TBT Who remembers this #victoriasecrets show? #KK?
Karolína Kurková is a Czech model. She is a former Victoria’s Secret Angel and is praised for the “proportions of her body and her face, as well as her energy level” by Mario Testino. Anna Wintour calls her the next supermodel. In 2007, she was the world highest earning model and she has managed to stay on the Forbes annual list of highest earning models for multiple years.
50. Jourdan Dunn (Ending With a Favorite)
Jourdan Dunn is a British Model. Dunn was discovered in 2006 in Hammersmith Primark. Shortly after, she got signed with Storm Model Management in London. A year or so later, she started appearing on international runways and in 2008, she made history. She became the first black model to walk the runway for Prada in more than 10 years. She gained popularity because she was one of the few black models in the modeling industry. In 2014, she got signed with Maybelline New York and became the face of this cosmetics brand. Models.com declared her to be an icon in 2014. She has made history for being the first black model to do many things and this young woman continues to thrive. She has appeared on the cover of many magazines and she has walked many famous fashion shows.
This is our list of the 50 most beautiful (and hardworking) models in the world. These models have changed the modeling world for us and they have become a role model for many aspiring models all around the globe.
