Adriana as of mid 2007 is currently the third highest paid supermodel in the world according to Forbes earning $4.5 million in 2006 behind Gisele Bundchen and Kate Moss.
In 2007, Adriana ranked 7th on FHM 100 Sexiest Women of 2007 list. She was chosen additionally as one of People Magazine's annual 100 Most Beautiful People in the World, in the May issue of 2007. Joining her on this list were fellow Victoria's (Alessandra Ambrosio, Selita Ebanks, Izabel Goulart and Karolina Kurkova).
Early life and career
Adriana was born in the town of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil in 1981 and she is an only child. Adriana is of Indian, African,and Swiss descent. Born into a devout Roman Catholic family, Lima had prepared to become a nun before she began modeling. Lima's father abandoned her when she was 6 months old and Adriana has only met her father once since. When Lima was about 15 years old, she wanted to travel to Miami, Florida for a modeling competition but was not permitted to leave Brazil without certain legal paperwork that was in her fathers possession.
Adriana was first discovered while walking through a local mall in Brazil at the age of 13. She then finished in first place in a lucrative Ford Supermodel of Brazil model search. Adriana later followed with a second place finish in the prominent 1996 Ford Supermodel of the World contest.
Modeling career
Lima relocated to New York City, and eventually moved on from Ford modeling agency and signed with Elite Model Management. Adriana's early career consisted mainly of editorial fashion work (with early appearances in international editions of Marie Claire and Vogue in 1997/1998), as well as high end runway work (Valentino, Christian Lacroix, and others). Adriana's first big breakout came when she was exclusively featured in a Vassarette billboard in New York's Times Square. Adriana's print career followed, and like many other very famous names (Laetitia, Casta, Claudia Schiffer Eva Herzigova), Lima became a featured GUESS? Girl in their 2000 Costanoa and following campaign.
Adriana continued to build upon her beginning, doing more print work (Bebe, Maybelline, Mossimo, and BCBG) and being featured on the cover and editorials of numerous high fashion magazines (Elle and Harper's Bazaar). Adriana is probably best known for her Victoria's Secret work and elevation to Angel status (along with Gisele Bündchen, Heidi Klum and Alessandra Ambrosio), Lima first walked the Victoria Secret runway in 1999, and opened the 2003 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.
In 2001, Lima made a splash into acting starring in BMW Films short, The Follow alongside actors Clive Owen, Mickey Rourke and Forest Whitaker. In the film, Clive Owen's character is hired to follow Lima's character, who is suspected of infidelity or cheating on her infamous husband, played by Mickey Rourke. The film had a short runtime of 8:47 including credits, was directed by Wong Kr-Wai and written by Andrew Kevin Walker. Adriana made it clear that acting was not her priority and that she only performed in the film because it was a short film.
Currently, Adriana is represented by DNA Model Management NYC in the United States, VIVA Models in Europe and Lumiere Models in Brazil.
Print
Anna Sui Jeans, Armani, BCBG, Bebe, Blumarine, BMW, Emporio Armani, Forum, French Connection, Gai Mattiolo, Gasoline, George Rech, Giorgio Armani 'Emporio Armani White' fragrance, Guess? Jeans, La Perla, Maybelline, Mossimo, Pirelli Calendar, Swatch 'Skin' watches, TIM, Vassarette, Victoria's Secret, Victoria's Secret ´So in Love´ fragrance, XOXO
Country Covers
Brazil Audi - August 2002; Elle - November 2002
France Max - September 1999; Photo - July/August 2004; Photo - August 2005; Photo - August 2006
Italy GQ - June 2006
Mexico Vogue - February 2005
Portugal GQ - June 2003
Spain GQ - December 2002; GQ - May 2006
UK Arena - February 2002; GQ - November 2002
US Elle - March 2003; American Photo - March 2004; GQ - April 2006
Year Fashion Show
1998 Anna Sui, Mark Eiser
1999 Balmain, Emanuel Ungaro
2000 Balmain, Carmen Marc Valvo, Christina Perrin, Emilio Pucci, Emporio Armani, Girls Rule, NYC 2000, Richard Tyler, Sportmax, Vera Wang, Carmen Marc Valvo, Christina Perrin, Cividini, Emporio Armani, Enrico Coveri, Erreuno, Fendi, Girbaud, Krizia, Nanette Lepore, Ralph Lauren, Randolph Duke, Rebecca Danenberg, Richard Tyler, Sully Bonnelly, Valentino, Vera Wang, Yigal Azrouel
2001 Carmen Marc Valvo, Escada, Nanette Lepore, Ralph auren, Richard Tyler, Valentino, , Victoria's Secret
2002 Alexander McQueen, Istvan Francer, John Galliano, Victoria's Secret
2003 Alexandre Herchcovitch, Christian Dior, Guy Laroche, Bobbi Brown, Sean John, Versace, Victoria's Secret
2004 Christian Dior, Leonard, Victoria's Secret
2005 Luca Luca, Victoria's Secret
2006 Giles Deacon, Luca Luca, Victoria's Secret
2007
Personal life
Adriana has been romantically linked to several celebrities in the past, including a brief engagement with New York Yankee Derek Jeter and rocker Lenny Kravitz. Up until recently, Adriana was known to be dating and romantically linked with Prince Wenzeslaus of Liechtenstein. The relationship as all her relationships had been a relatively high demand topic for the celebrity watchers and society spy column, specifically New York Post, Page Six, and Hola! online magazine. Adriana recently broke up with the prince and is dating Denny lead singer of Timbalada.
Lima has frequently admitted that she was very shy around boys when she was younger girl, and can still to this day freeze up when she's around boys. She received her first kiss at 17 years old, and has told numerous reporters that she's been in only 3 relationships; not including her present relationship with Denny. In a recent interview with GQ, Lima told GQ magazine that she is a virgin and that she will stay that way until she gets married.
Charity
Lima does considerable charitable work helping and aiding with an orphanage, "Caminhos da Luz" (Ways of Light), located in her hometown in Brazil. Adriana helps with financial construction to expand the orphanage, and purchases clothing for poor children in Salvador, Bahia.
