Doutzen Kroes

Doutzen Kroes, born on January 23, 1985, is a prominent Dutch Frisian model and actress who has made a significant mark in the fashion industry. Her modeling journey began in 2003 in her home country, the Netherlands, and soon after, her talent was recognized by her agency, leading her to New York City where she gained attention from the iconic lingerie brand Victoria’s Secret. Kroes ascended to become a Victoria's Secret Angel in 2008, solidifying her status in the fashion world.

For over five years, she has served as a brand ambassador for L'Oréal Paris, contributing to her impressive financial success. Since 2008, Kroes has consistently ranked among the top five highest-paid models, with earnings exceeding five million annually. Notably, in 2014, she was ranked second on Forbes' list of top-earning models, with an impressive income of $8 million that year. Models.com lauded her as one of the "New Supers," dubbing her the "Helen of Troy of advertising."

Kroes's entrance into modeling was unique; she was not scouted by an agency but rather submitted her holiday photos to Paparazzi Model Management in Amsterdam. Her career breakthrough came in 2005 when she graced the cover of Vogue Italia, shot by Steven Meisel. That same year, she was also named "Model of the Year" on Vogue.com. The year 2013 marked a pinnacle in her career, as she graced the covers of four international September issues of Vogue, a feat unmatched in the magazine's history.

In addition to her modeling accomplishments, Kroes made her film debut in the 2011 film Nova Zembla. Kroes is also known for her philanthropic efforts, actively supporting Dance4Life, an organization focused on educating youth about HIV/AIDS prevention, as well as wildlife conservation initiatives through the World Wildlife Fund.