Models and agents at Talent Management make it their business to stay informed on modelling facts and figures. So, when we saw that ‘Capitalist Tool’ media company Forbes had just made a top ten list of the most highly paid models in the world, we thought we’d take a look and see just how well a successful model can do!

According to Forbes journalist Brian Soloman, the combined earnings of the world’s modelling top ten totalled almost $100 million over the last 12 months. But who features in this list, and how did they make it there?

Gisele Bündchen. No prizes for guessing the world’s currently best paid model – Gisele Bündchen has become a modelling legend since her big break for Alexander McQueen aged just 17. Chief marketing officer of Limited Brands Ed Razek is quoted in Soloman’s article as saying: “The ones that are coming up, their model for excellence is Gisele. They’re looking at her and saying ‘that’s what I want to shoot for.’” Bündchen is said to have earned around £29 million in the last year, with modelling work, independent licensing ventures and spokesperson deals. But it didn’t come easy! This stunning 31-year-old faced rejection after rejection before she finally made it into the favour of casting directors from New York to Paris.

Kate Moss. Still an incredibly successful model, Britain’s favourite fashion icon Kate Moss comes in at second place, with total estimated earnings of just under £6 million. A lucrative design deal with TopShop and various endorsement deals with big brands such as Mango, Vogue eyewear and Rimmel have secured her number two spot.

Natalia Vodianova. Number three on the modelling rich list is Russian model Natalia Vodianova with an impressive £5 million total. This 30-year-old model combines modelling with design to ensure that she makes the most of her looks and reputation. She currently resides in the UK and designs both lingerie and shoe collections alongside campaign work for brands such as Calvin Klein and Guerlain. Her daughter Neva is now following in her footsteps.

Adriana Lima. Victoria’s Secret Angel Adriana Lima is thought to be the world’s fourth most highly paid model with earnings estimated at nearly £4.7 million. She is said to have more facebook followers than any other model and her Super Bowl advertisement appearances have helped her to make it as a celebrity/model. Her agent Chris Gay said: “Adriana’s a very modern, diverse beauty. She’s an ethnic mix of a girl, where quite frankly because she has such a multi-racial, multi-cultural background, everybody is accepting of her. That has always been her huge benefit.”

Doutzen Kroes. Fellow Victoria’s Secret Angel Doutzen Kroes makes it to number five on the top ten list, with earnings of almost £4.5 million in the last 12 months. Born in the Netherlands, this super-fit yet curvy model is also on contract with beauty brand L’Oreal, helping her to maintain her formidable income.

The next five models on the Forbes list are named as:

6. Alessandra Ambrosio – earnings of approximately £4.2 million
7. Miranda Kerr – earnings of approximately £2.6 million
8. Lara Stone – earnings of approximately £2.4 million
9. Carolyn Murphy – earnings of approximately £2.3 million
10. Candice Swanepoel – earnings of approximately £2 million

If you’re wondering why Heidi Klum doesn’t appear on the list, this German-born supermodel is apparently now considered more ‘mogul’ than model due to her successful business ventures. Earnings are approximated at just under £13 million.