Candice Swanepoel

Here’s a full-length, SEO-optimized biography on Candice Swanepoel, the South African model known worldwide for her work with Victoria’s Secret.

Candice Swanepoel – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

A deep dive into Candice Swanepoel — her early life in South Africa, rise as a global supermodel, signature achievements, personal journey, and memorable reflections.

Introduction

Candice Susan Swanepoel (born 20 October 1988) is a South African supermodel celebrated globally for her work with Victoria’s Secret, her presence on high fashion runways, and her entrepreneurial ventures. From being scouted in a flea market in Durban at age 15 to walking as a Victoria’s Secret Angel and launching her swimwear line, her story combines grit, elegance, and reinvention. Her journey is also emblematic of how models evolve from faces to brands in the modern fashion industry.

Early Life and Family

Candice was born in Mooi River, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, on 20 October 1988. Willem Swanepoel, hails from Mutare, Zimbabwe, while her mother Eileen (née Green) is South African. Stephen.

Her ancestry is Afrikaner, with Dutch roots on her father’s side, while her mother’s lineage is British. ballet, which helped cultivate poise and awareness of her body early on.

She attended St. Anne’s Diocesan College, a boarding school in Hilton, KwaZulu-Natal.

Discovery & Early Modeling

Candice’s modeling path began when, at age 15, she was spotted by a modeling scout in a flea market in Durban.

By her mid-teens, she had already begun building a portfolio, sending photos to agencies, and traveling for castings in London and New York.

Career & Achievements

Fashion & Runways

Candice has walked for, and been featured by, almost all the big names in high fashion. Designers she has modeled for include Fendi, Chanel, Tommy Hilfiger, Dolce & Gabbana, Michael Kors, Oscar de la Renta, Givenchy, Versace, among many others.

Her editorial portfolio is equally distinguished: she has appeared in international editions of Vogue, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, GQ, W, i-D and others.

In advertising, she has been the face or part of campaigns for brands like Tom Ford, Chanel, Givenchy, Tommy Hilfiger, Diesel, Guess?, Swarovski, and many more.

Victoria’s Secret & “Angel” Era

Candice’s association with Victoria’s Secret was a defining chapter.

• She started working with the brand in 2007 in various capacities.

• In 2010, she became an official Victoria’s Secret Angel.

• In 2013, she was chosen to wear the Royal Fantasy Bra, an exquisite, gem-studded lingerie piece valued at USD 10 million, created by Mouawad, for the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.

• She has opened the Victoria’s Secret show multiple times (2011, 2013, 2017).

• The brand even entrusted her to open Victoria’s Secret’s first Canadian retail store in Edmonton in August 2010.

Through her Angel years, she became one of the most recognizable faces of lingerie and swimwear globally.

Entrepreneurship & Tropic of C

In 2018, Candice launched her own swimwear line named Tropic of C.

Earnings & Honors

Candice has consistently ranked among the highest-earning models in the world.

• In 2016, Forbes placed her at 8th among top-earning models globally.

• Earlier, between 2010 and 2011, she debuted on Forbes’s list with earnings estimated at USD 3 million.

Personal Life & Values

Candice has a multilingual background — she speaks Afrikaans, English, and Portuguese (the latter learned from her former partner).

She began dating Hermann Nicoli, a Brazilian model, when she was 17 and he was 23, after meeting in Paris. 2018.

They have two sons:

• Anacã, born in October 2016, in Vitória, Brazil.

• Ariel, born in June 2018.

As of her later years, she divides her time between Brazil and New York City.

Philanthropically, Candice is active with mothers2mothers (m2m), a charity that supports HIV-positive mothers and children in Africa. She designed denim pieces for the cause and in May 2019 became a patron and global ambassador.

In her personal statements on her official site, she mentions her love for quiet moments, nature, beaches, and how she balances high-profile life with privacy.

Signature Style & Traits

Candice’s modeling appeal lies in her blend of classic beauty, athletic grace, and calm confidence. Her steps in ballet early on contributed to her balance, posture, and movement awareness.

Her look—blonde hair, blue eyes, graceful frame—makes her particularly effective in swimwear, lingerie, and runway categories. Over time, she’s evolved from just modeling other brands’ designs to creatively directing her own line, showing entrepreneurial acumen.

In interviews, she often emphasizes wellness, holistic fitness, and authenticity. Her brand messaging reflects that: elegant, understated, and aligned with her personal style.

Quotes & Reflections

While Candice is not widely known for many quotable lines like philosophers or speakers, a few reflections and statements surface:

“Despite the high-profile life I lead, I’m still happiest and most comfortable hiding away on a beach with a good pair of sunglasses, soft sand and some Reggae music.”

From various interviews, she also speaks about:

• The tension between public visibility and personal sanctuary

• The responsibility of being a role model

• The importance of balancing career and motherhood

Her mindset often focuses on gratitude, growth, and staying grounded despite global exposure.

Lessons & Takeaways

1. Be ready when opportunity comes. Her discovery at 15 marked a turning point—but she was prepared (photos, ambition) to take it forward.

2. Evolve your role. She progressed from model to brand founder, showing the importance of owning one’s destiny.

3. Balance visibility with privacy. Maintaining mental health and personal space is essential in high-exposure fields.

4. Use platform for purpose. Her work with m2m shows how celebrities can contribute meaningfully beyond fashion.

5. Authenticity resonates. Her style, brand, and public persona consistently reflect who she is, making her more relatable and enduring.

Conclusion

Candice Swanepoel’s journey is more than the glamour of runways and lingerie campaigns. It’s a story of talent meeting timing, strategic growth, and staying true to self. From the South African countryside to global fashion stages, she has carved a space that blends beauty, business, and heart.