Heidi Klum: From German Model to Global Fashion Icon
1 june 2026 в 19:13
The amazing Heidi Klum has been famous for so long that it’s hard to believe she was once a German teenager just starting her modeling career. Some fans remember her from the era of Victoria’s Secret fashion shows in the late '90s and 2000s, while others know her as an Emmy winner, former host of Project Runway, long-time judge and host of America’s Got Talent, as well as Germany’s Next Topmodel. We have gathered Heidi’s best looks—from her early steps in modeling in the late '90s to the fashion icon, television star, and timeless beauty she remains today.
Heidi began her modeling career by winning a contest in her native Germany in 1992, beating out 25,000 other contestants to become the winner of Model 92. Her stunning features helped her land covers of various Vogue publications across Europe in the mid-'90s, including in France, Spain, and Germany.
Heidi caught attention in the U.S. when, in 1998, at the age of 24, she appeared on the cover of the annual Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. Heidi posed on the sand in a black swimsuit with a deep white top, showcasing her curves. This body earned her more appearances in the annual SI issue and made her the face and figure of Victoria’s Secret.
Heidi first appeared in the annual Victoria’s Secret fashion show when it was just starting to develop, at the third show in 1997. She became so associated with the brand and the lingerie show that she hosted the event in 2002, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009. She ended her collaboration with Victoria’s Secret in 2010.
Heidi had already begun transitioning from a modeling career to television. She was the original host of Bravo’s Project Runway, which debuted in 2004. Alongside mentor Tim Gunn, Heidi became the face of this Emmy-winning fashion competition show and remained with it for 16 seasons before leaving in 2018. She later reunited with Gunn for the Amazon show Making the Cut and eventually returned to the Project Runway franchise after its revival.
Now, at the age of 53, Heidi has been a constant figure on American television for over two decades. In addition to her fashion projects, she joined the judging panel of America’s Got Talent in 2013 and remains a fan favorite on the NBC competition, except for a brief hiatus in season 14. Besides AGT, Heidi continues to host Germany’s Next Topmodel, one of the most successful reality shows in Europe. Whether it’s her vibrant costumes for Halloween, her presence at events like the Met Gala and Cannes Film Festival, or her appearances on screens around the world, Heidi remains just as captivating today as she was when she first broke into the modeling world.
Take a look at the best photos of the mother of four over the years in the gallery above
Heidi began her modeling career by winning a contest in her native Germany in 1992, beating out 25,000 other contestants to become the winner of Model 92. Her stunning features helped her land covers of various Vogue publications across Europe in the mid-'90s, including in France, Spain, and Germany.
Heidi caught attention in the U.S. when, in 1998, at the age of 24, she appeared on the cover of the annual Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. Heidi posed on the sand in a black swimsuit with a deep white top, showcasing her curves. This body earned her more appearances in the annual SI issue and made her the face and figure of Victoria’s Secret.
Heidi first appeared in the annual Victoria’s Secret fashion show when it was just starting to develop, at the third show in 1997. She became so associated with the brand and the lingerie show that she hosted the event in 2002, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009. She ended her collaboration with Victoria’s Secret in 2010.
Heidi had already begun transitioning from a modeling career to television. She was the original host of Bravo’s Project Runway, which debuted in 2004. Alongside mentor Tim Gunn, Heidi became the face of this Emmy-winning fashion competition show and remained with it for 16 seasons before leaving in 2018. She later reunited with Gunn for the Amazon show Making the Cut and eventually returned to the Project Runway franchise after its revival.
Now, at the age of 53, Heidi has been a constant figure on American television for over two decades. In addition to her fashion projects, she joined the judging panel of America’s Got Talent in 2013 and remains a fan favorite on the NBC competition, except for a brief hiatus in season 14. Besides AGT, Heidi continues to host Germany’s Next Topmodel, one of the most successful reality shows in Europe. Whether it’s her vibrant costumes for Halloween, her presence at events like the Met Gala and Cannes Film Festival, or her appearances on screens around the world, Heidi remains just as captivating today as she was when she first broke into the modeling world.
Take a look at the best photos of the mother of four over the years in the gallery above
© Zhinobaeva Margarita
