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]
SupermodelGisele Bündchen was the highest-ranked model on Forbes earning lists till 2017 before being overtaken by Kendall Jenner, in different measurements, including the largest string of appearances on the top, and the highest sum registered ($47 million in 2014). Sean O'Pry has the highest sum reported by Forbes for a male model in a year ($1.5 million in 2013).
Highest-paid models by year
2022
The 2022 list:[6]
2021
The 2021 list:[7]
2020
The 2020 list:[8]
2018
The 2018 list:[1]
2017
The 2017 list:[9]
2016
The 2016 list:[10]
2015
The 2015 list:[11]
2014
The 2014 list:[12]
2013
The 2013 list:[13]
The 2013 list (male models):[3][14]
2012
The 2012 list:[15]
2011
The 2011 list:[16]
2010
The 2010 list:[17]
2009
The 2009 list:[18]
The 2009 list (male models) also known as "World's Most Successful Male Models" list:[19]
2008
The 2008 list:[20]
The 2008 list (male models), also known as "World's Most Successful Male Models" list:[5]
2007
The 2007 list:[21]
2006
The 2006 list:[22]
2005
The 2005 list:[23]
2004
The 2004 list:[24]
2003
The 2003 list:[25]
2002
2000
The 2000 list:[2]
Notes
^First known lists were made in late 2000s, called "World's Most Successful Male Models".
References
^ a b cRobehmed, Natalie (December 13, 2018). "Highest-Paid Models 2018: Kendall Jenner Leads With $22.5 Million". Forbes. Archived from the original on December 3, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
^ a b"The Business of Modeling". ABC News. February 28, 2001. Archived from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
^ a b cLe, Vanna (October 8, 2013). "The World's Top-Earning Male Models Of 2013". Forbes. Archived from the original on December 3, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
^Robehmed, Natalie (August 30, 2016). "The World's Highest-Paid Models 2016: Karlie Kloss And Kendall Jenner Storm Top Three With $10 Million Apiece". Forbes. Archived from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
^ a b cStreib, Lauren (May 7, 2008). "The World's Most Successful Male Models". Forbes. Archived from the original on April 23, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2023.Streib, Lauren (May 7, 2008). "In Pictures: The World's 10 Most Successful Male Models". Forbes. Archived from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
^Mason, Courtney (July 26, 2022). "Meet the highest-paid models in the world for year 2022". L'Officiel. Malaysia. Archived from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
^Maisey, Sarah (May 13, 2022). "How the five highest-paid models in 2021 made their money, from Gigi Hadid to Adriana Lima". The National. Archived from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
^Agarwal, Sejal (May 31, 2021). "Watch: World's Highest Paid Models of 2020". Ed Times. Archived from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
^Robehmed, Natalie (November 20, 2017). "The World's Highest-Paid Models 2017". Forbes. pp. 13–22. Archived from the original on December 3, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
^Robehmed, Natalie (September 15, 2016). "The World's Highest-Paid Models 2016". Forbes. pp. 30–40. Archived from the original on December 3, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
^Barton, Merrilee (September 1, 2015). "The World's Highest-Paid Models 2015". Forbes. pp. 2–11. Archived from the original on December 3, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
^Robehmed, Natalie (August 18, 2014). "The World's Highest-Paid Models 2014". Forbes. pp. 3–30. Archived from the original on December 3, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
^Le, Vanna (August 19, 2013). "The World's Highest-Paid Models Of 2013". Forbes. pp. 1–11. Archived from the original on December 3, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
^Le, Vanna (October 8, 2013). "The World's Highest-Paid Male Models Of 2013". Forbes. pp. 1–9. Archived from the original on December 3, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
^Solomon, Brian (July 14, 2012). "The World's Highest Paid Models". Forbes. Archived from the original on June 19, 2012. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
"World's highest-paid supermodels in 2012". Yahoo! Finance. November 21, 2012. pp. 1–15. Archived from the original on December 3, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
^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.
"10 Highest Paid Supermodels 2011". Fox Business. May 10, 2011. pp. 1–11. Archived from the original on December 3, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
^"Slide Show: The World's 10 Top-Earning Models". Forbes. May 13, 2010. Archived from the original on December 3, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
^"In Pictures: The World's Top-Earning Models". Forbes. May 27, 2009. Archived from the original on December 3, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
^"In Pictures: The Most Successful Male Models". Forbes. June 6, 2009. Archived from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
^Blakeley, Kiri (April 30, 2008). "In Pictures: The World's 15 Top-Earning Models". Forbes. Archived from the original on April 16, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
^Blakeley, Kiri (July 9, 2007). "In Pictures: The World's Top-Earning Models". Forbes. Archived from the original on December 3, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
^"Forbes Top Fifteen Richest Models". Houston Chronicle. July 18, 2007. Archived from the original on December 3, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
^Rose, Lacey (February 1, 2006). "The World's Best-Paid Supermodels". Forbes. Archived from the original on December 3, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
^"Milla: The world's richest model". Rediff.com. July 28, 2004. Archived from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
^"The Best Paid Models". Forbes. June 25, 2003. Archived from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
^"Forbes Celebrity 100: 2002". Forbes. 2002. Archived from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
Further reading
There’s a huge pay disparity between male and female supermodels — Fortune (2015)
Why Do Female Models Make More Than Male Models? — ABC News (2013)
Why Canada's Simon Nessman, one of the highest paid male models ever, has left the catwalk — CBC.ca (2017)