Adriana Lima has been modelling since 1994, first in Brazil and later in 1997 in New York City and Europe. But the greatest worldwide fame and status of supermodel Lima gained by participating in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Shows.
She's worked with some of the world's great image-makers: Steven Meisel, Patrick Demarchelier, Peter Lindbergh and Ellen von Unwerth, Vera Wang, Christian Lacroix, Emanuel Ungaro, Giorgio Armani, Fendi, Ralph Lauren, Valentino and appeared in the world's top magazines: Vogue Italia, Marie Claire, Elle, Harper's Bazaar, and others.
She has been profiled on E! Entertainment Television The Travel Channel, Viva, Extra.
Lima's first acting role was the wife, alongside Mickey Rourke and Forest Whitaker, in The Follow (2001), a short film in BMW's series The Hire, starring Clive Owen.
She also appeared with her fellow Angels in a guest spot playing herself in the series How I Met Your Mother in November 2007.
In 2008, Lima appeared on the American television series Ugly Betty, where she played herself.
In 2010 she was represented in New York City and Paris by Marilyn Agency.
Her unique beauty is derived from her Native-Brazilian, African-Brazilian, Portuguese, Japanese, French, Swiss and Caribbean heritage.
She gained recognition as one of the Victoria's Secret's Perfect 10.
In 2015, she came in 2nd place on the Forbes top-earning models list, with earnings of $9 million.
Charity
In her spare time, Adriana dedicates her services to helping orphans in her native Brazil. Lima does charitable work helping with an orphanage, "Caminhos da Luz" (Ways of Light), located in her hometown.
At the tender age of 13, Adriana entered the Ford Supermodel of the World Contest. At the age of 15, she entered and finished in first place in Ford's "Supermodel of Brazil" model search and in 1996 second place in a "Ford Supermodel of the World" contest.
In 1997, Lima moved to New York City and then gained the status of one of the world's top fashion models.
Moving to New York at age 16, Adriana joined Elite Model Management and further pursued her modelling career, landing a campaign for the fashion designer Anna Molinari's clothing line. Her appearance in several Guess campaigns gained her the world’s fame and recognition.
Since then, she has appeared in campaigns for Anna Sui Jeans, Bebe, Gasoline, Mossimo, BCBG, Keds, and XOXO, and has appeared on the covers of magazines such as Vogue and Marie Claire.
In 1999 Lima began to participate in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Shows.
She has appeared on subsequent shows ever since, opening the show in 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014.
Later Lima has worked for notable fashion brands Armani, Versace, Prada, Guess?, Bulgari, Miu Miu, Donna Karen, Emporio Armani, Givenchy, Keds, Mossimo, Marc Jacobs, and Louis Vuitton.
She has worked with the most established photographers in fashion and appeared on the covers of most popular fashion magazines.
Lima returned to the high fashion runway in 2009, walking for Givenchy.
In 2015, she became the face of Vogue Eyewear and Marc Jacobs' fragrance Decadence.
Lima is the current brand ambassador for the Barcelona-based clothing brand Desigual.
Lima was shy around boys when she was younger, not receiving her first kiss until she was 17 years old.
In 2003 she was romantically linked to musician/singer Lenny Kravitz and later Prince Wenzeslaus of Liechtenstein. She is a devout Catholic who attends church every Sunday. Staying true to her religious roots, she is known for taking a Bible backstage to read.
As of Valentine's Day, 2009, she is married to (6' 7", b. 12 October 1978) Serbian basketball player Marko Jaric, whom she began dating in November 2007. They wed in a private civil ceremony in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
On November 15, 2009, Lima gave birth to her first child, daughter Valentina Lima Jarić and on September 12, 2012, her second daughter Sienna. On May 2, 2014, Lima and Jaric announced their separation after five years of marriage.
They finally divorced in March 2016.
In early 2015 she started dating her boyfriend Joe Thomas, a boxing coach and trainer at Miami Beach.
In June 2016 Adriana Lima split with Joe Thomas and became single, free and happy again.