This is a list of the highest-paid models—applicable to either sex— in the world as ranked by Forbes magazine. For measurement, the magazine used pretax earnings, and fees for agents, managers and lawyers are not deducted, based on the report of 2018.[1] The estimated figures are based on interviews with managers, agents, brand executives, and industry experts.[1] Models income came from multiples entries, including endorsements, licensing ventures, runway shows, and commercial catalogs.[2][3]
The lists are nearly exclusive to female models, as the magazine rarely compiles a list based on male models—the last time being in 2013.[4][a] The modeling industry is a women-dominated sector, one of the few industries where the gender pay gap is reversed, where male models typically earn far less than their counterparts.[5] According to PayScale in 2013, female models had an average salary of $41,300, earning 148% more than male models.[3] By 2008, a successful male model could earn a mid-six-figure range, maxing out around $500,000 a year.[5]
Kendall Jenner is the current highest paid model on Forbes earnings list, having held the number 1 position since 2017. However, Gisele Bündchen holds the record for the most times being the highest earner (14), the most consecutive times being the highest earner (12), the most times being one of the top 5 earners (19), and the highest annual earnings ($47 million in 2014). Sean O'Pry has the highest annual sum reported by Forbes for a male model ($1.5 million in 2013).
Highest-paid models by year
Gisele Bündchen has more appearances within the top five, and on the top.Sean O'Pry became the most "successful" male model on Forbes earning listsAdriana Lima made at least sixteen appearances in the top five.Kate Moss made at least ten appearances in the top five.Heidi Klum made at least nine appearances in the top five.David Gandy is one of the few male models to appear twice in a Forbes-earning list, including the last one dedicated to the subject (2013).
^Blankfeld, Keren; Bertoni, Steven (May 5, 2011). "The World's Top-Earning Models". Forbes. Archived from the original on November 19, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
.jpg)
_-_cropped.jpg)
