Alessandra Ambrosio
Explore the journey of Alessandra Ambrosio (born April 11, 1981) — Brazilian supermodel, former Victoria’s Secret Angel, entrepreneur, and cultural icon. Discover her beginnings, modeling career, business ventures, philosophy, and memorable quotes.
Introduction
Alessandra Corine Ambrósio is a Brazilian-American model, fashion entrepreneur, and media personality known especially for her long tenure as a Victoria’s Secret Angel.
Over years of work in high fashion, lingerie, swimwear, and branding, she has built a reputation not just for beauty and runway skill, but for professionalism, business ambition, and balancing public and private life.
Early Life and Family
Alessandra Ambrosio was born on 11 April 1981 in Erechim (also spelled “Erichim”), in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
Her parents owned a petrol (gas) station.
From a young age she was interested in modeling: at about age 12, she began taking modeling classes, and by 15 she entered the Elite Model Look competition in Brazil, which helped launch her serious modeling career.
Modeling Career & Achievements
Rise in Fashion
Ambrosio’s modeling career took off gradually. She modeled for many high-profile fashion houses including Christian Dior, Armani, Gucci, Ralph Lauren, Next, among others.
In 2004, she became an official Victoria’s Secret Angel, a role she held until her retirement from the runway in 2017. 17 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Shows — a benchmark among models.
She was also the first spokesmodel for Victoria’s Secret’s PINK line.
She walked in many prestigious runway shows and appeared on covers of top fashion magazines globally.
Business & Brand Ventures
Beyond modeling, Ambrosio ventured into fashion entrepreneurship. Early, she launched a swimwear line under her name “Alessandra Ambrosio by Sais” (a division of Rosa Chá).
She has expressed her excitement to design products that reflect her life, experiences, and style.
Her modeling work also extended into media appearances, small acting roles, and being a television guest in fashion-oriented shows.
Recognition & Financial Success
At various times she was ranked among the highest-paid models in the world.
Her visibility, consistency, and brand collaborations have made her a recognized name beyond the fashion world.
Personal Life
Ambrosio has two children: Anja and Noah, with her former fiancé Jamie Mazur.
She holds both Brazilian citizenship and has been naturalized as a U.S. citizen.
While she retired from runway modeling, she continues to be active in fashion, design, media, and personal branding.
Public Image & Philosophy
Ambrosio is often portrayed as combining glamour with approachability. She has spoken about enjoying simple pleasures, eating favorite foods (e.g. chocolate), and balancing discipline with enjoyment.
She emphasizes professionalism, consistency, and passion in her work — attitude often comes through in her interviews and quotes.
She has also discussed fashion preferences — e.g. dressing basically by day, adding bohemian or rock elements, using accessories to elevate looks.
She also values self-care, health, and balance in lifestyle.
Famous Quotes of Alessandra Ambrosio
Here are some of her more memorable and widely shared quotes:
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“Take care of yourself, be healthy, and always believe you can be successful in anything you truly want.”
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“Professional people make everything look perfect. They make everything that you’re wearing look great, if it’s in a picture or on the runway.”
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“Seriously, I like to wear hats so I don’t get super tan. You have to protect the face.”
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“I like to dress pretty basic during the day, but with a sophisticated bohemian spin … At night I like to go glamorous.”
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“I love everybody that I work with, and we have so much fun.”
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“I love to eat and I love sweets… like chocolate. But I do work out.”
These reflect a blend of her fashion sense, personal priorities, and down-to-earth attitude.
Lessons from Alessandra Ambrosio’s Journey
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Build more than a look — Her success came from combining modeling craft, reliability, and brand value.
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Diversify your roles — She moved into design, branding, and media rather than relying only on modeling.
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Value professionalism — Her quoted emphasis on “professional people make everything look perfect” underscores respect for collaborators.
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Balance lifestyle with passion — While she pursues beauty and fashion, she also values health, family, and authenticity.
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Adapt gracefully — Retiring from runway didn’t mean withdrawal — she shifted roles while maintaining her presence and relevance.
Conclusion
Alessandra Ambrosio’s story is more than just a modeling success. It is about leveraging talent with intelligence, evolving with the industry, and cultivating a personal brand that endures. From a small town in Brazil to walking major runways and building her own fashion ventures, she demonstrates that beauty, when paired with discipline and vision, can become a lasting legacy.