Supermodel didn't effectively capture this woman, so a better word was created: übermodel—a more appropriate description for the Brazilian bombshell who single-handedly closed the door on '90s "heroin chic." Born July 20, 1980, in the small village of Horizontina, Gisele Caroline Bündchen enrolled in modeling school with her sisters Patricia and Gabriela. However, it was a class trip to Rio that changed the then 14-year-old's life when a scout discovered her in a mall.

Gisele arrived in New York in 1996 and made her debut at the Spring shows in Milan and Paris for Dolce & Gabbana, Giorgio Armani, and Alexander McQueen. Real recognition came with her first Vogue cover in July 1999 and the accompanying story called "The Return of the Sexy Model." The fashion-industry bible then bestowed Gisele with an unheard-of honor: three consecutive covers, transforming Gisele into a household name and earning her the coveted VH1/Vogue Model of the Year award in 1999. 

Gisele kicked off 2000 with a Victoria's Secret contract and a new boyfriend in Leonardo DiCaprio. She quickly rose to become the world's most in-demand model, walking countless runways, appearing on over 500 magazine covers, and fronting brands like Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton, and Valentino.

You don't make it to the No. 1 slot on Forbes' list of top-earning supermodels without being a savvy businesswoman. And Gisele's talents translate on the big screen as well: she had roles in both Taxi and The Devil Wears Prada.

But as the former aspiring pro volleyball player continues to dominate the fashion world, she also manages to stay grounded. As a twin and one of six sisters, Gisele visits her family in Brazil as often as possible and prefers spending time at home with her hubby, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, and her Yorkshire terrier, Vida. Amazingly, the couple managed to elude the press and were married in a private ceremony in Santa Monica, California, in February 2009, and welcomed their first child, son Benjamin Brady, in December 2009.

Gisele keeps strong ties to her home by giving back to Brazilian government program Zero Hunger, which aims to end poverty and starvation. Gisele is also active in preserving Brazilian wildlife, donating a percentage of profits from her line of Ipanema sandals, Seeds, to Forests of the Future. Recognized by Time as one of the World's 100 Most Influential People, Gisele also lent her name and time to Bono and Bobby Shriver's Red campaign. And, most recently, she auctioned off her jewelry collection to benefit a nonprofit that empowers African diamond-mining countries.