There isn’t a person who hasn’t been wowed by Gisele Bündchen’s German descent, long blonde hair, sun-kissed skin and athletic build. After 20 years, her beautiful modelling journey has come to an end.
At 14 years old, her career began on the catwalk for local label Zoomp, and ever since she has been featured and centered in fashion conglomerates such as Alexander Wang, Balenciaga, Carolina Herrera, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Valentino, Versace and Victoria’s Secret. According to Forbes Magazine she was the highest paid model of 2014, earning a total of $47 million. However, she recently announced her retirement from the catwalk. Her final walk was for Brazilian label Colcci, where friends and family were front row on her home turn in Brazil.
The show concluded with a standing ovation as she strode the runway one last time. Fellow models were dressed in t-shirts featuring various images of Bündchen as a final tribute and appreciation of her 20-year career.
Her talent scout Dilson Stein, who founded her in Rio Grande do Sul in 1994, stated that “it’s marvelous she’s leaving the runway at a moment when she’s at the height of her powers. It’s an intelligent decision.”
“My body tells me if what I do is worth it, and it asked to stop. I respect my body, it’s a privilege to be able to stop,” – Bündchen in Brazilian newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo.
Bündchen also shared her feelings on Instagram:
“I am grateful that at 14, I was given the opportunity to start this journey. Today after 20 years in the industry, it is a privilege to be doing my last fashion show by choice and yet still be working in other facets of the business.”
Whilst this decision is aimed to spend more time with her family – husband Tom Brady and two children – she will continue modelling off the runway and promoting her lingerie line, Gisele Bündchen Intimates, which was established in 2011.