Heidi Klum is a German supermodel, spokesmodel, actress and television host. She was born in a small town in Germany, Bergish Gladbach in North Rhine-Westfalia in West Germany on June 1, 1974.
Her modeling career began when she enrolled in a German modeling contest in 1991 entitled
Model 92. The contest had a total of 25,000 contestants, and which Heidi won. The prizes were an appearance on a German late night talk show,
Gottschalk Late Night Show. She was then offered a modeling contract worth US$300,000. She graduated from high school and accepted the contract.
Her modeling career continued with Klum gracing the covers of the world’s top magazines, including Vogue, Elle, and Marie Claire. Her fame was caused by her work with Sports Illustrated and their Swinsuit Issue and Victoria’s Secret, where she earned her nickname, “The Body”. Her spokesmodel clients have ranged from McDonalds to clothing retailer H&M. She has appeared on many television shows including Spin City, Sex and the City and How I met Your Mother. In 2007, it was estimated that she earned an estimated 8 million in the previous year.
She is perhaps best known for hosting Bravo’s
Project Runway which began in 2004. She has received three
Emmy Award nominations for each season of the show and received an illustrious
Peabody Award in 2008, the first time a Peabody has ever been awarded for a reality series.
Klum has been a fashion designer and has worked with companies such as Birkenstock, Victoria’s Secret and has a jewelry collection on TV shopping channel QVC. She has also produced two signature fragrances, the self-titled ‘Heidi Klum’ and ‘Me’.
In 2005, Klum married British singer
Seal and they have two children together, boys Henry and Johan. She also has a daughter from her failed marriage to Formula-One mogul
Flavio Briatore.
Project Runway continues its popularity and Klum seems to be just hitting her stride. Look for her on both the small and large screens in the future.