The remarkable beauty of Czech native Karolina Kurkova has taken her to the top of the fashion world. After Karolina signed with a New York agency in 1999, it didn't take long for one of the industry's most powerful women to recognize her talent. Miuccia Prada fell in love with her fresh face and signed Karolina to an exclusive Prada/Miu Miu contract.

The following two years consisted of runway shows for designers like Vera Wang and Valentino, and starring roles in Louis Vuitton and YSL ad campaigns. Karolina also became one of the youngest models to land a Vogue cover. More editorial success would follow as Karolina’s range secured her placement in top magazines such as W, Harper's Bazaar, and British Vogue, Vogue Italia, and Vogue Paris. And, like other models of her caliber, Karolina earned her wings with Victoria's Secret. With all these accomplishments under her belt, Karolina took home the title of VH1/Vogue Model of the Year, becoming the youngest ever to win the award.

While still in high demand as a model, the People's Most Beautiful honoree also began to put her star power to good use. Karolina has been very active with Women Together, a nonprofit dedicated to helping homeless and battered women and their children. In 2006 Karolina received the New Generation award for her humanitarian work with the organization. The green-eyed beauty also serves as a Global Youth Action Network (GYAN) Free Arts Ambassador. Her own foundation, the Beautiful Life Fund, works with GYAN to encourage young people in almost 200 countries around the world to improve their communities.

Well-known for her unwavering work ethic, Karolina is always looking for new and inspirational projects of all types. She has made her way into the entertainment industry, appearing in My Sexiest Year and playing Courtney A. Kreiger/Cover Girl in G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra.

The avid New York Rangers fan lives in Tribeca with her longtime boyfriend, boxer Wladimir Klitschko. Karolina, the daughter of a star basketball player, is often spotted shooting hoops on New York City's public courts.