Alessandra Ambrosio

Alessandra Ambrosio was born on April 11, 1981 in Erixima, Brazil. She has Polish and Italian roots.

Ambrosio has a sister, Aline (also a model).

Alessandra was only eight years old and she already knew for sure that she would become a model - she saw the cover of a glossy magazine and decided that soon her picture would adorn fashion publications.

But at the time Ambrosio had a small flaw that could prevent her from becoming a catwalk girl - her protruding ears. When Alessandra turned 11, a surgeon corrected this flaw.

At 12, Ambrosio began training at the school of models in Brazil, and then began her career as a model - the first shoots, the first fees.

In 1996 she took part in a Brazilian competition Elite's Look, after which she received a contract with Elite Model Management.

Alessandra`s first big success was shooting for the cover of Brazilian Elle.

Then there were shooting in the U.S. - for an advertising campaign of a jeans brand Guess.

After this work Alessandra`s career went uphill dramatically.

She took part in the fashion shows for Laura Biagiotti, Christian Lacroix, Byblos, Fendi, Issey Miyake, Kenzo, Christian Dior, Nicole Miller, Oscar de la Renta and many others.

In 2000 Ambrose made her first runway appearance for the famous Victoria's Secret lingerie brand.

In 2004 Victoria's Secret was the first of the models who chose Alessandra to shoot an ad for a daughter brand Victoria's Secret PINK.

In 2004 Ambrose launched her own swimwear line Alessandra Ambrosio by Sais in collaboration with Rosa Chá.

Alessandra also became the face of British clothing brand Next.

The supermodel has also made guest appearances on various TV shows and in 2006 she starred in a cameo in another James Bond hit, Casino Royale.

Ambrose also starred in an episode of the hit American series "How I Met Your Mother".

In May 2007 Ambrose along with other Victoria's Secret Angels appeared in the top 100 most beautiful people in the world (by People Magazine).

Ambrosio also made it to the top list of the highest paid models in the world.

Ambrosio is often compared to Brazilian Gisele Bundchen and called behind the scenes of fashion shows "the second Gisele". There were even rumors that Ambrosio would eclipse her famous countrywoman, but...

In early 2008, Alessandra Ambrosio left the catwalk for a while to enjoy the happiness of motherhood - it turned out that she and her boyfriend Jamie Mazur are expecting their first child.

At the end of August 2008, Alessandra gave birth to a baby girl in her native Brazil; the baby girl was named Anja Louise.

Just three months after giving birth the Brazilian supermodel returned to work; the beauty demonstrated her body in a swimsuit - the photo shoot was a huge success.

Alessandra also continued to work for Victoria's Secret (promotions, shooting and shows). On November 15, 2008 Ambrose participated in the annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2008. Since then the brand and the model have been inseparable.

On May 7, 2012 the model had a son, Noa Phoenix Ambrosio-Mazur.