As much as being a supermodel is about working with the right designers and building an impressive portfolio, it’s also about turning a profit. When it comes to the biggest stars, the business of being beautiful can be incredibly lucrative, especially for household names like Gisele Bündchen and Kendall Jenner, who lead the pack on Forbes’s newly announced ranking of 2017’s top-earning models. Though the list itself yielded few surprises—Victoria’s Secret Angels, Insta girls, and other headline-making stars all feature—Jenner unseating Bündchen for the top spot was unexpected. Bündchen has held the title every year since the list began in 2002, but Jenner’s reported $22 million figure from the last 12 months—thanks to the combined earnings from her reality show, cosmetics contracts, and endorsements—helped to push her over the edge.
As jaw-dropping as the numbers seem, Jenner and Bündchen’s actual salaries may not match the estimates. While there is no doubt that all the superstars featured on Forbes’s list make millions, the accuracy of the math involved has been the subject of debate. In the past, Bündchen has criticized the publication for inflating her income and subsequently drawing the attention of the IRS. Getting audited shortly after being named highest-earning model in the world, Bündchen told Brazilian blog MdeMulher at the time that her reported income was inaccurate and the attention she received as a result was largely negative. “It’s sad because the people who write these things don’t have my bank account details,” shared Bündchen. “I do okay, I earn plenty, but not as much as they say. I’ve already been audited by the IRS because of this list, and, truthfully, whether I’m on this list or not doesn’t interest me.”
As amusing as it is to chart the upward progression of celebrity incomes, the speculation has its downside. Getting audited isn’t exactly glamorous and according to Bündchen, the focus on the financials doesn’t take into consideration all she is beyond her bank account. “I’ve got the same interests, the same day-to-day life, as any woman. I want to raise my children well, be a good wife, and work. This is what I value: Are my children educated, is my husband happy, are people feeling positive energy from me?” said Bündchen, who wishes the media would talk about less tangible qualities like relevance, intelligence, and personality. “There should be a magazine to quantify knowledge, understanding, and love for people: That is power.” Whether or not Jenner went home with $22 million in the bank or not, it’s clear she’s done well for herself. Being the highest-paid model is nice, but the real accomplishment comes from what you do with all the attention.
