The modeling industry has produced some of the wealthiest women in entertainment and business. While runway and campaign earnings can be substantial, the highest net worths usually come from smart diversification into licensing, beauty brands, television production, and long-term investments. Here is a look at the richest models globally as of early 2026, ranked primarily by estimated net worth.
Top 5 Richest Models
- Slavica Ecclestone (~$1.2 billion)
The Croatian former model tops the list thanks to one of the largest divorce settlements in history. Married to former Formula 1 chief Bernie Ecclestone, Slavica built her fortune largely through that settlement and associated family assets. Her story remains one of the most remarkable transitions from modeling to extreme wealth. - Kathy Ireland (~$500 million)
The iconic 1980s and 1990s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model successfully pivoted from the catwalk into a vast licensing empire. Kathy Ireland Worldwide has generated billions in retail sales across home goods, apparel, furniture, and more. Despite occasional legal disputes with former partners, her business acumen has made her one of the most financially successful former models ever. - Gisele Bündchen (~$400 million)
Widely regarded as one of the highest-earning supermodels of all time, the Brazilian beauty earned massive paydays from Victoria’s Secret, Chanel, and other luxury campaigns. Beyond modeling, Gisele has built wealth through wellness ventures, books, sustainability initiatives, and strategic brand partnerships. She reportedly earned more than her ex-husband Tom Brady during their marriage. - Cindy Crawford (~$400 million)
Another 1990s supermodel icon, Cindy Crawford has maintained her fortune through entrepreneurial success. Her Meaningful Beauty skincare line has become a billion-dollar brand, while her furniture and home collections continue to perform strongly. Much of her wealth is tied to these long-running business ventures. - Iman (~$200 million)
The Somali-American supermodel rose to fame in the 1970s and 1980s and later built a successful cosmetics empire targeted at women of color. Her business diversification, combined with other ventures (including elements tied to her late husband David Bowie’s estate in some reports), has secured her place among the wealthiest models.
Other Notable High-Net-Worth Models
- Heidi Klum (~$160 million): The German model and television personality expanded her earnings through producing and judging shows such as America’s Got Talent and Making the Cut, in addition to her modeling and fashion lines.
- Adriana Lima and Elle Macpherson (~$95 million each): Lima leveraged her long tenure as a Victoria’s Secret Angel into major endorsement deals, while Macpherson built wealth through her “The Body” intimates line, wellness brands, and TV hosting.
- Tyra Banks (~$90 million): Beyond modeling, Banks created America’s Next Top Model, hosted talk shows, and launched ventures including her Smize & Dream ice cream brand.
- Naomi Campbell (~$80 million): The British supermodel has earned through fragrances, books, modeling contracts, and media appearances.
- Kendall Jenner (~$60–90 million): One of the highest-paid active models today, Jenner earns tens of millions annually from campaigns, runway shows, her 818 Tequila brand, and endorsements. Her net worth is still growing rapidly compared to legacy supermodels.
Other notable names frequently mentioned in such rankings include Karlie Kloss (with tech investments), Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Chrissy Teigen, Kate Moss, and the Hadid sisters (Bella and Gigi), who command strong annual earnings but have not yet accumulated the decades-long wealth of earlier generations.
Why Some Models Become Extremely Wealthy
Pure modeling fees rarely create nine-figure or billion-dollar fortunes on their own. The biggest success stories involve models who treated their careers as a launchpad for business empires. Licensing deals, skincare and beauty lines, television production, and strategic investments have proven far more lucrative over time than runway work alone.
Legacy supermodels from the 1980s to 2000s often hold higher net worths due to decades of compounding returns. Meanwhile, today’s top earners like Kendall Jenner dominate annual income lists but are still building their long-term wealth.
These figures are estimates and can fluctuate with new deals, market changes, legal outcomes, and private investments. As the modeling and influencer landscape continues to evolve, new names may join this elite group in the coming years.
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