“If you’re not smart and don’t have personality, forget it.” Unusual modeling advice from Ana Beatriz Barros, the statuesque Brazilian beauty, who has it all in abundance.

Ana was born on May 29, 1982, in the small town of Itabira, Minas Gerais, Brazil, to Sônia, a housewife, and Reinato, a mechanic engineer. She is of Portuguese and Spanish descent, and has two older sisters—Patricia, who is also a well-known model, and Maria Luisa. Ana spent her childhood in Rio de Janeiro.

When she was 14, Ana was vacationing with her sister Patricia when they were spotted by a representative from Elite Model Management. Ana was encouraged by the Rio Elite office to participate in the Elite Look of the Year contest and placed first, then came in second in the international level of the same contest, where she was runner-up to Diana Kovalchuk.

Ana says she managed to keep her schoolwork going. “I got it mailed, and came to Brazil only to do tests.” The plan she had was, “If in three years my career didn’t take off, I’d come back to Brazil and go to college.” However, plan B never materialized, as her career did take off. In a major way.

Ana signed a contract with Elite and landed her first major campaign, the Millennium Guess? ads, where she worked with fellow Brazilian and now best friend, Alessandra Ambrosio. In addition to Guess?, Ana has done advertisements for Christian Dior, Armani Jeans, Oakley, L’Oréal, Naf Naf, Diesel, Ermanno Scervino, and Chanel cosmetics.

In 2004, Jennifer Lopez selected Ana to be the face of her new lingerie line, JLO Lingerie. Lopez said, “I wanted someone young, sexy, and urban, with a universal appeal.” Ana has been in shows for Valentino, Missoni, Gucci, Christian Dior, Versace, Emporio Armani, BCBG, DKNY, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Dolce & Gabbana, Michael Kors, ((Red Oak)), Elie Saab and many more prestigious fashion houses. She walked in the annual Victoria’s Secret fashion show in 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, and 2008.

Ana’s numerous covers include Glamour, Vogue, Marie Claire, W, Elle, Allure, and Brazilian magazines such as Capricho and Audi. And with Ana’s incredible body, it’s no surprise that she has appeared seven times in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition (2002 through 2008). Ana made her acting debut with a small part in the pilot of the Brazilian series “Belíssima” in 2005.

 The reason for her success? “I don’t meddle, and I work always cheerfully. I’m easy to deal with; I don’t play the megastar part. Do you know why Kate Moss is seen as the best model in the world? Because she’s professional.”

And what does the future hold? “I want to open, in Brazil, a dermatology clinic with my sisters Maria Luiza (who is a medical student) and Patricia and my cousin.”