FOR an elite few of the world’s top models, the catwalk truly seems paved with gold – as their fortunes are measured in hundreds of millions.
And while Britain’s own style queens Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell are giants of the fashion world, their earnings are dwarfed by those of their American counterparts.
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Naomi, 53, has a £63million fortune, while Kate, 49, is said to be worth £55million, putting them seventh and eight respectively in the list of the world’s top ten richest supermodels.
Well out in first place is relatively little-known American model Kathy Ireland, with an astounding £395million.
Here, Jack Hardwick reveals the global supermodel super rich list . . .
1. KATHY IRELAND: £428m
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UNLIKE her fellow top ten rivals, Kathy’s fortune has primarily come from savvy business moves.
In 1993, on the advice of business mogul Warren Buffett, she founded brand licensing firm Kathy Ireland Worldwide (kiWW).
In 2021 it generated sales of £2.45billion, making it the 15th biggest such firm in the world, yet 60-year-old Californian mum of three Kathy remains little known in Britain.
2. CINDY CRAWFORD: £317m
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ONE of the best-known super-models to date, American Cindy, 57, dominated fashion in the 80s and 90s.
Besides modelling and business ventures, she has been in films and music videos, such as George Michael’s Freedom! ’90.
2. GISELE BUNDCHEN: £317m
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GISELE, 43, is perhaps the most famous of the Victoria’s Secret lingerie models.
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She signed a £20million deal with the lingerie giant in 2000 and has had sponsorship and endorsement deals throughout her career.
In 2009 she married American footballer Tom Brady and they had two children. They split last October.
4. IMAN: £158m
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SOMALI-born Iman, 68, became a muse for designers Calvin Klein, Yves Saint Laurent and Gianni Versace.
She married rock legend David Bowie in 1992 and was with him until he died in 2016.
5. HEIDI KLUM: £127m
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THE 50-year-old became the first German-born Victoria’s Secret Angel and hosted its annual fashion shows in the Noughties.
She later shifted from modelling into TV, where she has made most of her fortune.
She has hosted and judged Germany’s Next Top Model and is now a judge on America’s Got Talent.
6. ELLE MACPHERSON: £75m
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AUSSIE Elle found fame after a record five cover appearances for America’s Sports Illustrated magazine in the 1980s.
Then in 1989 Time magazine crowned her success by coining the nickname “The Body” for her.
Elle, 59, cashed in on her fame by hosting and executive-producing the TV series Britain And Ireland’s Next Top Model from 2010 to 2013.
7. TYRA BANKS: £71m
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AMERICAN beauty Tyra, 49, has amassed a fortune from modelling for global fashion labels and in TV deals.
In 2003 she created and presented the telly show America’s Next Top Model, as well as its various global spin-offs.
Tyra has also made cameos in films including 2008’s Tropic Thunder and 2009’s Hannah Montana: The Movie.
8. NAOMI CAMPBELL: £63m
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NAOMI almost became as famous for her diva antics and wild ways as she was for the 300-plus magazines whose covers she has graced over the years.
A giant in the world of fashion, Naomi, 53, counted late designers Gianni Versace and Karl Lagerfeld as close friends.
Earlier this year she signed a lucrative deal with UK-based online clothing retail giant PrettyLittleThing.
9. KATE MOSS: £55m
A BRITISH fashion icon, Kate, 49, dominated the Nineties, walking the catwalk for some of the world’s biggest brands.
In 2007 she teamed up with store boss Philip Green to launch her debut collection with his High Street chain Top Shop, which went on to be one of its most successful collaborations.
Kate has also collaborated with Rimmel, St Tropez and Diet Coke.
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10. KENDALL JENNER: £45m
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AT 27 Kendall is the youngest model on the list, having started her media career on US TV series Keeping Up With The Kardashians when she was 11.
Since then Kendall has stepped out of her sister Kim Kardashian’s shadow and has walked the catwalk for Chanel, Fendi, Versace and Dior.
