Gisele Bundchen is world’s richest supermodel

Gisele Bundchen, Brazilian supermodel, is the world’s richest model, having earned £16.2 million in the last 12 months.

The Croydon-born Kate Moss came a poor second with an annual income of $9 million (£4.4 million), according to a list compiled by Forbes.

To compile the list of the 15 highest-paid female models, Forbes used estimated earnings in 2006, as well as recent campaigns, press coverage and the opinion of industry experts.

The 15 supermodels together took home over $91 million (£44 million) in 2006.

Kate Moss was, in 2005, photographed allegedly snorting cocaine at a recording studio, following which a string of money-spinning contracts were cancelled.

However, notwithstanding the infamous cocaine incident and recent fears that Kate’s wild lifestyle with her on-off boyfriend Pete Doherty were taking their toll on her looks, the 33-year-old supermodel has made a triumphant comeback.

Kate Moss has launched a range of clothes at Topshop, besides bagging new contracts with designer Stella McCartney and the Italian sportswear company Belstaff. But, still her earnings came far behind those of Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen.

Gisele, 26, former girlfriend of Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio, appears in advertisements for Apple, Dolce & Gabbana, and Roberto Cavalli. She is also a model for a line of sandals, Ipanema by Gisele Bundchen.

Heidi Klum, who is married to singer Seal, came number three in the Forbes list.

Heidi, 34, mother of three children, is model for Victoria’s Secret lingerie and hosts the hit reality television programme Project Runway on Bravo. In her spare time, she designs and markets jewellery.

Finding a place among the top five are two other Brazilians, Adriana Lima and Alessandra Ambrosio, who each earned $6 million (£3 million) in 2006.

Forbes Top 15 Models and their earnings

* Gisele Bundchen – $33 million
* Kate Moss – $9 million
* Heidi Klum – $8 million
* Adriana Lima – $6 million
* Alessandra Ambrosio – $6 million
* Carolyn Murphy – $5 million
* Natalia Vodianova – $4.5 million
* Karolina Kurkova – $3.5 million
* Daria Werbowy – $3.5 million
* Gemma Ward – $3 million
* Liya Kebede – $2.5 million
* Hilary Rhoda – $2 million
* Shalom Harlow – $2 million
* Doutzen Kroes – $1.5 million
* Jessica Stam – $1.5 million

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