Adriana Lima – Biography, Career, Height and Family

Adriana Lima is a Brazilian supermodel and former Victoria’s Secret Angel who became one of the most recognizable faces in fashion over a career spanning more than two decades. Born in Salvador, Bahia, she rose from a regional contest winner to an international icon, known for her longevity, work ethic, and high-profile campaigns. As of 2025, she continues to work selectively while raising three children.

Lima’s journey began in the mid-1990s when she won Ford’s “Supermodel of Brazil” competition at age 15. That victory propelled her into the global modeling circuit, eventually landing her a contract with Elite Model Management. By the time she turned 20, she had already walked runways for major designers and caught the attention of Victoria’s Secret.

Her name remains synonymous with the “Angel” era of the brand, but her portfolio extends far beyond lingerie. From Maybelline to Marc Jacobs, and from the Super Bowl to Hollywood cameos, Lima built a career that blended high fashion with commercial mass appeal.

Who Is Adriana Lima?

Key Insights into Her Career

• Adriana Lima is historically the longest-running Victoria’s Secret Angel, representing the brand for 18 years.
• She began modeling at age 15 and quickly ascended to global fame in the late 1990s.
• Her career arc spans high fashion, commercial modeling, film, and philanthropy.
• Despite stepping away from the VS runway in 2018, she remains a high-profile public figure.
• In 2015, she was named the second highest paid supermodel in the world with earnings of $9 million, according to available reports.
• She became a spokesmodel for Maybelline in 2003, building global recognition beyond lingerie modeling.
• Her early win at the Ford “Supermodel of Brazil” contest launched her path to international success.

Quick Facts about Adriana Lima

What Is Adriana Lima Known For? Career Highlights

Lima is best known for her record-setting tenure as a Victoria’s Secret Angel, but her career includes a wide range of fashion, beauty, and entertainment work. She made her Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show debut in 1999 and officially became an Angel in 2000. Sources describe her as the longest-running Angel, and in 2017 she was named the “most valuable Victoria’s Secret Angel.”

Victoria’s Secret Years

From 2000 until her final show in 2018, Lima was a fixture of the Victoria’s Secret brand. She walked the runway for 18 consecutive years, a record among Angels. Her status within the company was such that she was often featured in the highest-profile segments of the annual fashion show and appeared in countless catalogues, television commercials, and print campaigns. She remained under contract with the brand for nearly two decades, a rare feat in the modeling industry.

Beauty Campaigns and Commercial Work

Beyond Victoria’s Secret, Lima secured major beauty contracts. She became a spokesmodel for Maybelline in 2003, a role that gave her global visibility in drugstore cosmetics. She also fronted campaigns for Vogue Eyewear, Marc Jacobs’ fragrance Decadence, and appeared in Super Bowl commercials for Kia Motors. Her face became as familiar in mainstream advertising as on high-fashion runways.

Film and Media Appearances

Lima has also appeared on screen, including a cameo in the 2013 film The Smurfs 2 and the documentary The Truth About Beauty (2018). She has been featured in music videos and made guest appearances on television shows, though her primary focus has remained modeling and brand partnerships.

Who Is Adriana Lima Married To? Personal Life and Family

Lima was married to Serbian NBA player Marko Jarić from 2009 until their divorce in 2016. The couple had two daughters together: Valentina Lima Jarić, born in 2009, and Sienna Lima Jarić, born in 2012.

Relationship with Andre Lemmers

After her marriage ended, Lima briefly dated Turkish businessman Emir Uyar in 2019. In 2021, she began a relationship with film producer Andre Lemmers. The couple welcomed their first child, a son, in August 2022. In December 2024, Lima announced that she and Lemmers had married.

Her Children

Lima has three children total. Her two older daughters, Valentina and Sienna, were from her marriage to Jarić. Her third child, a son, was born in 2022 with Lemmers. Lima has been open about balancing motherhood with her career, and she often shares glimpses of family life on social media.

What Is Adriana Lima Doing Now? 2025 and Beyond

As of 2025, Lima remains active in the fashion and beauty world, though she has stepped away from the Victoria’s Secret runway. She continues to take on selective modeling assignments and brand endorsements, and her social media presence keeps her connected to a large global audience.

Current Activities

Lima has shifted toward entrepreneurial ventures and curated partnerships. She has not announced a formal retirement from modeling, but her schedule appears more carefully curated than during her peak years. She is based in Los Angeles and is often photographed at industry events and red carpets.

What’s Next?

Looking ahead, industry observers expect Lima to continue selective modeling while potentially expanding into beauty or fashion entrepreneurship. She may also explore media projects such as documentaries or limited series. Her public focus in recent years has balanced career moves with family life.

Timeline of Adriana Lima’s Career and Life

1. 1981 – Born in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
2. 1996 – Wins Ford Models “Supermodel of Brazil” contest.
3. 1997 – First major international runway shows.
4. 2000 – Becomes a Victoria’s Secret Angel.
5. 2003 – First Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue appearance.
6. 2009 – Marries Serbian basketball player Marko Jarić.
7. 2012 – Appears in the film The Smurfs 2 (cameo).
8. 2016 – Divorces Marko Jarić.
9. 2018 – Walks the final Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.
10. 2020 – Begins relationship with Andre Lemmers.
11. 2022 – Birth of third child, a son.
12. 2025 – Active in selective modeling, business, and social media; preparing for 2026 projects.

Certainties and Unclarities in Adriana Lima’s Biography

Analysis and Context: Why Adriana Lima’s Career Endured

Lima’s longevity in a fast-changing industry is notable. She transitioned from high-fashion runway to commercial supermodel without losing relevance. Her success with Victoria’s Secret was built on a combination of physical attributes, work ethic, and brand loyalty. While many models of her era faded from the spotlight, Lima maintained visibility through strategic partnerships and a disciplined public image.

Post-2018, she pivoted toward entrepreneurial ventures and selective partnerships, indicating a strategic career evolution. Public interest in her personal life—particularly her husband and children—remains high, driving frequent search queries. Her ability to remain culturally relevant more than two decades after her debut places her among the most enduring figures in modern modeling.

Lima’s career also reflects broader shifts in the fashion industry, including the decline of the supermodel era and the rise of social media-driven influence. She adapted by maintaining an active Instagram presence and engaging directly with fans, a move that helped sustain her brand equity after her Victoria’s Secret chapter closed.

Notable Quotes and Sources

“She is widely recognized as one of the most enduringly relevant international supermodels.”

— Models.com

“Being a Victoria’s Secret Angel was a dream. It opened many doors.”

— Adriana Lima (in interviews)

Summary: Who Is Adriana Lima, Really?

Adriana Lima is a Brazilian supermodel who rose from a teenage contest winner in Salvador to become the longest-serving Victoria’s Secret Angel in history. Her career, built over nearly three decades, spans high fashion, commercial beauty, film, and philanthropy. As of 2025, she continues to work selectively while raising three children and managing a public profile that shows no signs of fading. For readers interested in other celebrity biographies, the profile on Erin Kellyman – Biography, Filmography and Personal Life offers a similar look at a rising star’s journey.

Frequently Asked Questions about Adriana Lima