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Key Points
- Top models earn millions compared to the industry average of $25,000-$50,000
- Social media influence significantly increases earning potential
- Brand endorsements are primary income sources for top models
- Many have expanded into business ventures beyond modeling
- Diversity is increasingly valued in today’s fashion industry
The modelling industry is not everyone’s cup of tea. People who are veterans are ruthless and expect nothing less than perfection from their models.
In this competitive modeling industry, success requires more than just a pretty face, great body, amazing posture and runway skills. Social media presence has become essential, with platforms like Instagram opening doors to many brand partnerships.
Top models serve as faces for global campaigns across fashion, beauty, and lifestyle brands, creating diverse revenue streams worth millions annually. While most models earn $25,000-$50,000 yearly, elite models who master both traditional modeling and digital influence enter the multi-million-dollar tier.
Below is the list of 10 highest paid models in the world.
Kendall Jenner
Net Worth: $70 million
Instagram: @kendalljenner
Transitioning from reality TV to high fashion, Kendall Jenner has become the industry’s top earner. Walking for Chanel, Marc Jacobs, and Balmain, she’s established herself as a versatile runway model. With over 300 million Instagram followers, Jenner leverages social media for major brand deals. Her recent appearances at Paris Fashion Week 2025 reinforced her global fashion status as she continues to blend modeling with entrepreneurial ventures.
Gigi Hadid
Net Worth: $35 million
Instagram: @gigihadid
Gigi Hadid’s adaptability has made her a fashion powerhouse. Working with Versace, Prada, and Tommy Hilfiger, she’s become a generation-defining model. Her 2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show appearance added to an impressive portfolio that includes major magazine covers and campaigns with Maybelline and Evian. Despite becoming a mother, Hadid maintains her industry dominance through strategic partnerships and strong social media engagement.
Naomi Campbell
Net Worth: $70 million
Instagram: @naomi
Three decades into her career, Naomi Campbell remains a fashion icon. Starting at 15, she’s walked for every major designer and expanded into acting, music, and business. Named one of Time’s “25 Most Influential Names in Fashion” and awarded the CFDA Fashion Icon award, Campbell continues inspiring new generations while commanding top fees in 2025, proving true talent never fades.
Bella Hadid
Net Worth: $30 million
Instagram: @bellahadid
Bella Hadid has forged her own path separate from sister Gigi. Known for striking features and a distinctive runway presence, she collaborates with Dior, Givenchy, and Balenciaga, often serving as a muse for avant-garde designers. Her editorial work in major fashion magazines and advocacy for mental health have enhanced her marketability and global influence.
Karlie Kloss
Net Worth: $40 million
Instagram: @karliekloss
Karlie Kloss bridges fashion and technology as both runway model and tech entrepreneur. Named among Time’s “100 Most Influential People,” she’s walked for Dior and Versace while securing campaigns with Adidas and Swarovski. Her coding initiative, Kode With Klossy, establishes her as an education advocate. Kloss has also invested in startups, hosted Project Runway, and maintained strong social partnerships.
Adriana Lima
Net Worth: $85 million
Instagram: @adrianalima
Brazilian supermodel Adriana Lima remains highly paid despite her long career. Best known for her 19-year tenure as a Victoria’s Secret Angel, she maintains lucrative deals with Maybelline and Puma while working with luxury designers like Versace. Her 2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show comeback delighted fans worldwide. Lima’s modeling success and philanthropy focusing on children’s causes have cemented her industry reputation.
Liu Wen
Net Worth: $45 million
Instagram: @liuwenlw
Known as China’s first supermodel, Liu Wen has broken barriers for Asian models in Western fashion. Her collaborations with Estée Lauder and H&M have made her globally recognizable. Appearing in the 2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show highlighted her international appeal. Beyond modeling, Liu has become an entrepreneur and philanthropist supporting education in rural China, while maintaining relevance in both Eastern and Western markets.
Gisele Bundchen
Net Worth: $400 million
Instagram: @gisele
Gisele Bündchen’s career defines modeling success. Rising to fame in the late 1990s, she became the face of Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Versace. Though officially retired from runways since 2015, she maintains a fashion presence through endorsements. Bündchen has expanded beyond modeling into environmental advocacy and wellness, with her best-selling memoir further establishing her as a respected businesswoman.
Doutzen Kroes
Net Worth: $32 million
Instagram: @doutzen
Dutch model Doutzen Kroes is known for confident runway walks and versatility. A former Victoria’s Secret Angel, she’s worked with Valentino, H&M, and Emilio Pucci. Her L’Oréal Paris ambassadorship since 2011 and partnership with Hunkemöller have significantly contributed to her wealth. Featured on multiple Vogue covers and ranked among the “New Supers,” Kroes excels in both high fashion and commercial work.
Ashley Graham
Net Worth: $25 million
Instagram: @ashleygraham
Ashley Graham champions body positivity as one of fashion’s highest-paid models. Collaborating with Swimsuits for All, Levi’s, and Revlon, she’s broken barriers for plus-size models. Her historic 2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show appearance symbolized the industry’s shift toward inclusivity. Graham advocates for self-acceptance through social media and speaking engagements while running successful business ventures, including lingerie lines for all body types.
The Shifting Landscape Of Modeling
The 2025 modeling landscape has already seen some major shifts in the industry’s values and priorities.
Starting with the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show’s as they return with a more diverse and inclusive lineup exemplifies this evolution and inclusivity. Models like Ashley Graham, Liu Wen, and Naomi Campbell represent different aspects of this diversity when it comes to their body type, ethnicity, color and age, thus proving that beauty standards are expanding beyond traditional limitations and set beauty standards.
The most successful models in 2025 have mastered the art of personal branding. They’ve leveraged social media to create communities around their image and values, transforming followers into passionate supporters. This digital influence has become as valuable as traditional modeling skills, with brands increasingly seeking models who bring both aesthetic appeal and audience engagement.
Conclusion
As we move through 2025, the definition of a successful model continues to evolve. The highest-paid models combine traditional modeling prowess with digital influence, business heads, and authentic advocacy which are qualities that transform them from just faces in campaigns to powerful brands in their own right.
