Adriana Lima was discovered while at a local mall at the age of 13. She finished in first place in a Ford Supermodel of Brazil model search. Lima later followed with a second place finish in the 1996 Ford Supermodel of the World contest. Shortly after, Lima moved to New York City, and eventually moved on from Ford, signing with Elite Model Management. Her early career consisted mostly of fashion editorial work (with early appearances in international editions of Vogue and Marie Claire in 1997/1998), as well as runway work (Christian Lacroix, Valentino, and others). Lima's first big break came when she was featured in a Vassarette billboard in Times Square. Her print career followed, and like many other famous names (Claudia Schiffer, Laetitia Casta, Eva Herzigova), Lima became a GUESS? Girl in their 2000 Costanoa and has face campaign.
Lima continued to build upon her entry, doing more print work (Maybelline, bebe, Mossimo, BCBG) and gracing the cover and editorials of more high fashion magazines (Harper's Bazaar, ELLE). Probably best known for her Victoria's Secret work and Angel status (along with Heidi Klum, Gisele Bündchen, and Alessandra Ambrosio), Lima first graced the VS runway in 2000, and was the show opener for the 2003 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.
In 2001, Lima starred in BMW Films short, The Follow alongside actors Mickey Rourke, Clive Owen, and Forest Whitaker. In the film, Owen's character is hired to follow Lima's, who is suspected of cheating on her famous husband, played by Rourke. The film had a runtime of 8:47 including credits, was written by Andrew Kevin Walker, and directed by Wong Kar-Wai. Lima made it clear that acting is not her priority and that she only did The Follow because it was a short film.
Lima is currently the 3rd highest paid model in the world behind Gisele Bundchen and Kate Moss. She is represented by DNA NY in the United States, Lumiere Models in Brazil and VIVA Models in Europe.
Personal life
Lima, is a devout Roman Catholic and had planned to become a nun before she started modeling. Lima was born an only child. She has has been romantically linked to celebrities in this past, including a rumored engagement with rocker Lenny Kravitz and Major League Baseball player Derek Jeter. Up until recently, she was known to be dating Prince Wenzeslaus of Liechtenstein. The relationship had been a relatively hot topic for the society spy columns and celebrity watchers, specifically Page 6, New York Post and Hola! online magazine. However, she recently broke up with him for rocker Denny of Timbalada.
Lima has admitted that she was shy around boys when she was younger, and can still to this day freeze when she's around them. She got her first kiss at 17 years old, and has told reporters that she's been in 3 relationships not including her current relationship with Denny.
Lima does charitable work helping with an orphanage, "Caminhos da Luz" (Ways of Light), located in her hometown. She helps with construction to expand the orphanage, and buys clothes for poor children in Salvador, Bahia.
Adriana's best friends are Raica Oliveira, Alessandra Ambrosio and Selita Ebanks.[citation needed]
Lima's father walked out on her and her mother when Adriana was 6 months old; Lima has met him only once since. When she was about 15 years old, Lima wanted to travel to Miami for a modeling competition but she was not allowed to leave Brazil without certain legal papers that her father owned. Lima has said that she does not hate her father because "there is a reason for everything" and she believes that her life was fine growing up and that the presence of an unhappy father could have resulted in an unhappy home environment.
I wouldn't change anything about my life. I am afraid that if I did things might have turned out differently and I am currently living my dream. If that means I had to live a poor [life] and I have to deal with demons then I will do it. I got through everything and I am very proud of myself...Life without a father was confusing at times, I didn't know if I was to blame and I didn't know anything about him...I love my mother and I have a bond with her that most people don't share with their own mothers. It all worked out.
