The modeling industry has long been synonymous with glamour and substantial financial rewards for its top talents. In recent years, the earnings of leading models have showcased the lucrative nature of this profession.
For instance, Kendall Jenner reportedly earned an estimated $40 million in 2023. Similarly, Gigi Hadid’s net worth was reported at $30 million in 2024. These figures underscore the significant financial success attainable in the modeling industry, reflecting the high demand and substantial compensation for top models worldwide.
Who is a Model?
A model is someone whose job is to enhance and showcase public products in fashion, photography, artwork, and so on. If you have a product and you want to promote it or show its authenticity to the public, you have to get a model to display it for you. On sighting the model, people are drawn to it and they purchase it.
Models can be featured in movies, music videos, magazines, newspapers, artworks, fashion shows, reality shows, and many more.
In the past, modeling was not seen as a normal job, but now everyone wants to be a model because of the high pay and fame it brings.
Types Of Models
There are several types of models, we have ;
- Promotional Models
- Art Models
- Editorial Models
- Plus-Size Models
- Parts Models
- Child Models
- Runway Models
- Commercial Models
#1. Promotional Models
This set of models helps to give public consciousness and information about a company or client. They sign contracts with clients and companies to help promote them. You must be a registered model in a known model agency before you can be called for a job like that.
Promotional models must be attractive, photogenic, and interactive enough to bind the market with the client or company’s brand.
#2. Art Models
Having a model on your art piece can sell very fast, especially if it is a supermodel. Most artists use models for their works of art either sculpture, painting, or drawings.
The models make poses and they are turned into works of art and sold out in large amounts. Art models may not be facially attractive but they must have a good physical figure for a nice art piece.
To be a great art model, you must be 18 years old, familiar with art poses, flexible, attend as many auditions as possible, and lastly have a reputation.
#3. Editorial Models
Editorial models are models used for certain demands in the fashion world. They are always in magazines for designers and famous clothing lines. They are also known as fashion models which come with a lot of requirements.
Unlike other models, the complete criteria must be put to check before accepting you as a model, the following are the criteria needed to be an editorial model.
- Models must be at least 5 feet tall
- Body size measurement should not be more than 32 for the bust, 23 for the waistline, and 33 for the hips
- An editorial model must be very slim and flexible
If all the above criteria are met, you can apply to a modeling agency and get started.
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#4. Plus-Size Models
Plus-sized people don’t seem to fit into the picture of models, but years ago, plus-size modeling was born and it is one of the large parts of modeling. In such agencies, both models and non-models are made to embrace the beauty of being plus-sized.
Other divisions of modeling will choose models by definite measurement, while the plus size division makes use of sizes like 15, 30, and more. Some of the highest-paid supermodels today are plus-sized, and they are still keeping a good reputation in the modeling world. They are featured in fashion magazines, glamour magazines, reality TV shows, and more.
#5. Parts Models
Only a specific part of the body is needed in such modeling. For example, foot models are given contracts regarding footwear, they help promote the brand with just the appearance of their legs. Sometimes it’s the headshot, which can be painted, sculptured, or photographed to publicize and get money.
Besides, whatever part of the body is used in such a model must be well-proportioned. Edd editorial models must have all body parts featured and well proportioned before being accepted, but part models need only the part to be used to be perfect. If the hands are smooth, it’s good for hand modeling, if it’s the thighs, contracts for such are given.
This is one of the best and most attractive divisions in the modeling world.
#6. Child Models
Seeing children on magazine covers, fashion shows, and more, many think they are just picked from anywhere to feature, well not at all, they are models too. In the modeling issues division for kids, from a very young age, they are groomed to be perfect models.
Besides, As long as you are below 13, you stand the chance of being a child model and even one of the highest-paid models Top agencies want children that can take on roles and have a good reputation for candies, not timid and sluggish ones.
Furthermore, the fact that they are kids does not mean they will be treated differently though there are limitations if the child proves worthy of a role. the rest, irrespective of age, the kid is picked but identified with the child model category.
#7. Runway Models
Runway models are models that walk and showcase fashion clothing stylishly. They walk from one end to the other displaying the beauty of the clothing line they represent. Runway models do have a lot of requirements, models must be able to fit into the size of the dress they put on. If one doesn’t fit in, they don’t adjust their clothes. Instead, they pick another model to go on the runway
They feature in fashion shows, entertainment hubs, and many more.
#8. Commercial Models
These are the most common models today. They can do any type of modeling job aside from the high fashion level, and they can fit into any aspect of modeling without having issues. This division had different age ranges and heights depending on what you wanted. They must not be unkept or ugly looking, models should still be very attractive and ready for jobs at any time.
They feature in ads, music videos, products, etc.
Other types of models include glamour models, lingerie models, fitness models, catalog models, etc., though some are categorized as editorial or part models.
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Top Highest Paying Models In The World
There are several models in the world, but they are not paid equally. Some agencies pay triple what others pay their models, depending on the terms of the contracts, the profit made, and the fame and personality of the model. Below is a compiled list of the highest-paying models in the world.
- Gisele Bundchen-$400 million
- Adriana Lima-$100 million
- Chrissy Teigen-$75 million
- Miranda Kerr-$45 million
- Kendall Jenner-$45 million
- Karlie Kloss-$40 million
- Cara Delevingne -$34 million
- Rosie Huntington -Whiteley-$30 million
- Gigi Hadid-$29 million
- Joan Smalls-$26 million
- Bella Hadid-$25 million
- Liu Wen-$23 million
#1. Gisele Bundchen
She is one of the highest-paid models of all time. She was born July 20, 1980, in Horizontina, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Her modeling career started in 2001, and before long she became a high-paid one.
Also, The drive to be fashionable and full of style made her climb the ladder of success quickly against all odds. Besides, She got married in 2009 to Tom Brady, who also supports her career.
Furthermore, In 2012, she was regarded as one of the highest-paying models of all time by Forbes and the 89th most powerful woman in the world. She is blessed with 2 kids.
Her physical appearance earned her more contracts and fame, Her model agencies are CAA Fashion New York, Model Management (Hamburg), and IMG Models (Los Angeles).
She is a great star, a wife, and a mother with a net worth of $400 million.
#2. Adriana Lima
Adriana is a well-known Brazilian model with a very high fashion sense and drive. She was born June 12, 1981, in Salvador, State of Brazil, Brazil. In 1999, she joined Victoria’s secret, and not too long ago she became the most valued Victoria’s Secret angel.
She has won several awards in supermodel competitions, gotten many contracts across the world from several agencies, and is also one of the highest-paid models in the world. As a 15-year-old model, she won Ford’s Supermodel of Brazil competition. She is divorced with two kids. She works for 3 great modeling agencies.
#3. Chrissy Teigen
She is an American model born November 30, 1985, in Delta, Utah, U.S. She has been a model since 2006 and has not looked back once since then. She is a television personality who exudes confidence and beauty. She is married to John Legend and has two children.
Her first modeling appearance was in the annual Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue 2010, and that opened many opportunities for her in the industry. She has been a judge and co-host in competitions. Besides, She has two books under her belt.
Hence, she has been dubbed a successful model with a net worth of $75 million. Similarly, she models for IMG Models worldwide.
#4. Miranda Kerr
Miranda, a businesswoman, and an Australian model were born on 20 April 1983. She is 5 feet tall with brown hair and blue eyes. She also rose to prominence as the first Australian Victoria’s Secret Angel, and she recently launched her skincare line, KORA organics. Furthermore, she got married to Orlando Bloom in 2010, divorced in 2013, got married again in 2017 to Evan Spiegel, and is still together with her three children.
Hence, Her net worth presently is 45 million dollars. She also works for Traffic Models (Barcelona) and IMG Models.
#5. Kendal Jenner
Kendal became an American model at the age of 14, she was so passionate about building herself to the point of a great modeling image and beautiful personality, we can say she earned it as she is one of the highest-paid models in the world. She was born November 3, 1995, in Los Angeles, California, U.S.
She is a media personality, popularly known for “Keeping Up with the Kardashians.” Besides, This show made her more famous and for not too long she began to go for photoshoots, ads, and fashion shows. Moreover, She became an editorial model in America and also a socialite. She also works for Elite Model Management (Paris, London).
#6. Karlie Kloss
An American model was born on August 3, 1992, in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Her modeling agencies are Society Management, and UTA (Los Angeles). She was known as one of the top models in the 2000s by Vogue Paris, she worked for Victoria’s Secret for 8 years and moved on to study at the university. Before 2020, she appeared on many magazine covers.
She is married to Joshua Kushner with a kid.
#7. Cara Delevingne
Cara is an actress, singer, and model, she was born on 12 August 1992 in Hammersmith, London, England. She is 5ft tall with blond hair and blue eyes. Also, She was awarded model of the year in the British Fashion Awards for two years(2012,2014).
Besides, She has been featured in many movies and also models for agencies and is seen on magazine covers and product ads.
As a matter of fact, Her network is $34 million.
#8. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
Rosie is also one of the highest-paid models of all time. Born April 19, 1987, in Plymouth, England, she started her modeling journey with Victoria’s Secret as a retailer and moved on to become the face of Burberry Body in 2011.
She also picked up an interest in acting and has played major roles in fast-selling American movies like the Transformers in 2011. She has 2 kids and works for Creative Artists Agency(New York).
#9. Gigi Hadid
Gigi is a famous model and media personality. She was born on April 23, 1995, in Los Angeles, California, U.S. Also, she started her career as a kid model for Baby Guess, and as she got better each year, she was eventually given a contract at IMG Models, where she still works. She also appears in fashion ads, and shows, and is a brand ambassador for many companies.
In addition, she has appeared on over 36 magazine covers and counting, receiving various awards. Her net worth is about $29 million.
#10. Joan Smalls
Joan is a Latina model and a well-known actress. She was born on July 11, 1988, in Hatillo, Puerto Rico. She is 5 feet tall with brown hair and eyes. She was ranked the 8th highest-paid model by Forbes in 2013 after being named the first model in the world by models.com in 2012.
Her modeling journey seems smooth for her, as she also takes up acting roles. Her net worth is about $26 million and counting.
#11. Bella Hadid
An American model was born on October 9, 1996 in Washington, D.C., U.S. She is more like a twin to her sister Gigi. She entered the modeling industry in 2012 and was named “Model of the Year” by Professionals for Models.com four years later.
Just like her sister, she has appeared on many magazine covers and shows and is doing well as an editorial model. She stands 5’9″ tall, has natural blonde hair, and blue-green eyes. Everyone thinks she is special because of her physical qualities. She models for IMG Models.
Her net worth is $25 million.
#12. Liu Wen
Liu is the most well-known Chinese model with a high salary. She is a fashion model of high quality. born January 27, 1988, in Yongzhou, Hunan, China. Although she didn’t have much encouragement or a path to follow in China. However, in 2012, she walked the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show as the first Chinese model, and in 2017, she also appeared in American Vogue as the second Chinese model.
She never seems to disappoint, she keeps representing her agencies across the world well.
Her current net worth is $23 million.
Conclusion
Finding a great career path in modeling takes a lot of sacrifices and hard work. Reading through, you will see that before they became famous, they started small, and now they are named the highest-paid models in the world.
All types of models make good money and get famous as long as they do what is required of them. If you need any help finding your way to becoming one of the highest-paid models in the world, read this through and see how it’s done.
Hope this piece is helpful.
FAQs On Top Highest Paying Models In The World
Editorial modeling pays the most, followed by runway modeling.
Kendall Jenner is known as the highest-paid model in the world presently
The average pay a model can earn in the US is between $24 and $125 depending on the agency’s demand and terms.
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