When you think of supermodels who’ve truly left their mark on the fashion industry, Candice Swanepoel name inevitably comes to mind. This South African beauty isn’t just another pretty face on the runway, she’s a powerhouse who’s shattered glass ceilings, built a business empire, and used her platform to drive meaningful change. From walking the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show to launching her own successful swimwear line, Candice has proven time and again that she’s more than just a model; she’s a force to be reckoned with.
What makes Candice’s story so compelling isn’t just her stunning looks or impressive resume. It’s the journey from a small town in South Africa to becoming one of the highest-paid models in the world, all while staying grounded and committed to causes that matter. In an industry that’s constantly evolving, she’s managed to stay relevant, reinvent herself, and inspire millions along the way. Let’s dive into the remarkable story of how a chance encounter at a flea market transformed into one of fashion’s most celebrated careers.
Early Life: From Mooi River to the World Stage
Born on October 20, 1988, in the small town of Mooi River, South Africa, Candice Swanepoel grew up in a family of Afrikaner Dutch and British descent. Her father, Willem, was originally from Zimbabwe, while her mother, Eileen, raised Candice and her older brother, Stephen, in the scenic KwaZulu-Natal province. Growing up in South Africa during the post-apartheid era meant experiencing a country in transition, something that would later shape her perspective on representation and diversity in fashion.
As a child, Candice wasn’t initially dreaming of runways and photo shoots. She was a ballet dancer, spending hours perfecting her technique and developing the grace that would later become her signature on the catwalk. She attended St. Anne’s Diocesan College, a prestigious boarding school in the area, where she balanced academics with her artistic pursuits.
Everything changed when she was just 15 years old. While browsing through a flea market in Durban with her family, a modeling scout spotted her. Think about that for a moment, one random Saturday afternoon completely altered the trajectory of her life. It’s the kind of discovery story that sounds almost too perfect to be true, but it speaks to something that would become evident throughout her career: Candice Swanepoel has that rare, undeniable presence that makes people stop and take notice.
Building a Modeling Empire: The Rise to International Fame
After being discovered, Candice Swanepoel didn’t waste any time. She quickly signed with agencies around the world, including The Lions in New York and Elite Paris, positioning herself for international success. Her runway debut marked the beginning of what would become one of the most impressive modeling careers of the 21st century.
By her late teens and early twenties, Candice Swanepoel was already walking for the biggest names in fashion. We’re talking about the heavy hitters: Fendi, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Michael Kors, Oscar de la Renta, and Jean Paul Gaultier. Each season, she’d appear in multiple shows during Fashion Weeks across New York, Paris, Milan, and London, cementing her status as a sought-after runway model.
But the runway was just one part of her success. Her editorial work became equally impressive. She graced the pages of virtually every major fashion publication you can think of Vogue (including American, Italian, German, Spanish, and Turkish editions), Elle, GQ, Harper’s Bazaar, Allure, and W Magazine. These weren’t just standard fashion spreads; they were covers and featured editorials that showcased her versatility and ability to transform for the camera.
Her advertising campaigns read like a who’s who of luxury and mainstream brands. Victoria’s Secret became her most famous association, but she also represented Tom Ford, Givenchy, Chanel, Nike, Guess, and Juicy Couture. Each campaign demonstrated her ability to embody different aesthetics, from high fashion sophistication to athletic energy to beach-ready glamour.
The Victoria’s Secret Years: Becoming an Icon
If there’s one chapter that defined Candice’s career in the public eye, it was her time with Victoria’s Secret. In 2007, she made history as the first South African model to walk in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. For anyone familiar with the fashion industry, you know that the VS Fashion Show wasn’t just another runway event, it was the Super Bowl of fashion, watched by millions worldwide and featuring the biggest names in modeling.
Walking in the show was impressive, but becoming a Victoria’s Secret Angel in 2010 was an entirely different level of achievement. The Angel title was reserved for a select group of models who represented the brand’s image globally. It came with those iconic wings, international recognition, and a level of fame that transcended the fashion industry.
The pinnacle came in 2013 when Candice Swanepoel was chosen to wear the Fantasy Bra, a tradition where one Angel gets to wear a jaw-droppingly expensive piece of lingerie adorned with precious gems. Her “Royal Fantasy Bra” was valued at an astounding $10 million and featured over 4,200 precious gems set in 18-karat gold. Walking down that runway wearing something worth more than most people’s houses requires nerves of steel, and Candice pulled it off with her characteristic poise and confidence.
During her Victoria’s Secret tenure from 2007 to 2015, she became synonymous with the brand. She even had the honor of officially opening Victoria’s Secret’s first Canadian store in 2010, demonstrating her value as a brand ambassador beyond just modeling.
Her success translated into serious financial rewards. Since 2010, Candice Swanepoel has consistently ranked in Forbes’ Top 10 highest-paid models list. In peak years, she earned upwards of $5-7 million annually, placing her alongside veterans like Gisele Bündchen and Adriana Lima. This wasn’t just about looking good on camera, it was recognition of her work ethic, professionalism, and business acumen.
She also dominated various “Most Beautiful” and “Sexiest” lists that, while sometimes controversial, undeniably increased her visibility. Maxim named her #1 on their Hot 100 list in 2014, and she appeared multiple times on FHM’s “100 Sexiest Women in the World” poll. Elle declared her one of the “World’s Most Beautiful Women,” and these accolades kept her in the public consciousness even between major campaigns.
From Model to Mogul: The Birth of Tropic of C
Here’s where Candice Swanepoel story gets even more interesting. Instead of just riding the wave of her modeling success, she decided to build something of her own. In 2018, she launched Tropic of C, a swimwear line that reflected her personal aesthetic and values.
The timing was perfect. Candice had spent years modeling swimwear and lingerie, understanding what worked and what didn’t from both a design and comfort perspective. She brought that insider knowledge to create pieces that were both stylish and functional, swimwear that looked great on Instagram but also felt comfortable for actual swimming and beach activities.
What set Tropic of C apart was its sustainability focus and inclusive approach to beauty. The brand emphasized responsible production practices and featured diverse body types in its campaigns, a refreshing departure from the often narrow beauty standards of high fashion. The industry took notice, and in its first year, Tropic of C received the “Launch of the Year” award, validating Candice’s vision and business instincts.
This entrepreneurial move demonstrated that she wasn’t content to just be in front of the camera. She wanted creative control, ownership, and the ability to shape conversations around beauty and fashion on her own terms. It’s a trajectory we’ve seen with other successful models like Tyra Banks and Rihanna, who’ve proven that the skills developed in modeling understanding brands, reading trends, building personal brands translate beautifully into entrepreneurship.
Behind the Glamour of Candice Swanepoel: Personal Life and Relationships
While Candice’s professional life played out on runways and magazine covers, her personal life reflected a more grounded reality. She’s fluent in three languages Afrikaans (her native tongue), English, and Portuguese, the latter learned during her long-term relationship with Brazilian model Hermann Nicoli.
Candice Swanepoel and Hermann’s love story began when they were both teenagers navigating the modeling industry. They met in Paris when Candice was just 17, and their relationship became one of those fashion industry romances that people followed closely. After a decade together, Hermann proposed, and fans eagerly anticipated a supermodel wedding.
However, life had different plans. In 2018, after welcoming two sons, Anacan (born October 2016) and Ariel (born June 2018), Candice and Hermann announced their split. The breakup was handled with grace and maturity, with both committing to co-parenting their children effectively.
Candice has been remarkably private about her role as a mother, occasionally sharing sweet glimpses of her boys on social media while largely keeping them out of the spotlight. She splits her time between homes in Brazil and New York City, maintaining connections to both places that have been significant in her life and career.
This balance between public figure and private person is something Candice has navigated skillfully. She shares enough to remain relatable and connected to her fans but maintains boundaries that protect her family and personal well-being.
Using Her Platform for Good: Charity and Activism
What truly distinguishes Candice Swanepoel from many other successful models is her commitment to social causes, particularly those affecting her home continent of Africa. She serves as a patron and global ambassador for mothers2mothers, an organization working to create an HIV-free generation in Africa by training and employing women living with HIV as community health workers.
This isn’t just celebrity endorsement where a famous person lends their name to a cause. Candice has been actively involved, participating in campaigns, using her social media reach to raise awareness, and leveraging her industry connections to drive support. She’s designed special charity denim pieces with proceeds benefiting the organization and participated in Vogue photo shoots featuring children affected by HIV/AIDS to humanize the issue.
Her advocacy work reflects a deep understanding of the privilege her platform provides and a genuine commitment to using it responsibly. Growing up in South Africa, she witnessed firsthand the devastation of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and her work with mothers2mothers allows her to contribute to solutions in a meaningful way.
Cultural Impact and Recognition (Candice Swanepoel)
Beyond the fashion runways and magazine covers, Candice’s cultural impact has been significant, particularly for representation in the modeling industry. As one of the few South African models to achieve supermodel status, she’s opened doors for other African models and challenged the industry’s often Eurocentric beauty standards.
Her accolades reflect this broader cultural influence. Revolve named her “Woman of the Year,” recognizing not just her modeling success but her overall impact on fashion and culture. N4M Media declared her the “Numero Uno” Most Beautiful South African Model, a title that carries special meaning in her home country where she remains a source of national pride.
These awards matter because they represent recognition beyond just physical appearance. They acknowledge her work ethic, business acumen, charitable efforts, and role as a positive influence, particularly for young women who see her as proof that success doesn’t require compromising your values or losing touch with your roots.
The Comeback: Victoria’s Secret 2025 and Beyond
Just when you might think Candice Swanepoel story has been fully told, she proves there are new chapters still being written. In October 2025, she made a triumphant return to the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in Brooklyn, New York, marking a significant comeback moment. The show itself represented Victoria’s Secret’s attempt to reinvent its brand for a new era, and having Candice return as a veteran Angel provided both continuity and credibility to that evolution.
Her recent work demonstrates she’s far from slowing down. Current campaigns with Victoria’s Secret, Alo Yoga, Anne Klein, and Zara show her versatility and continued relevance in an industry that often prizes youth above all else. At 37, she’s proving that supermodel status isn’t just about being in your twenties, it’s about professionalism, adaptability, and maintaining that indefinable star quality that makes people want to see more.
Her social media presence reinforces this continued relevance. With over 19 million followers on Instagram, she maintains direct communication with a massive global audience. Her posts mix professional work, personal moments, advocacy for causes she believes in, and glimpses into her life as a mother and entrepreneur. This authentic engagement keeps her connected to fans across generations and maintains her influence in the digital age.
Latest News: Philippines Earthquake 2025
Legacy: More Than Just a Pretty Face
As we look at Candice Swanepoel’s career arc, from that chance discovery at a flea market to becoming one of the most successful models of her generation, several themes emerge that define her legacy.
First, there’s the representation factor. She proved that supermodels don’t all have to come from traditional fashion capitals. Her success opened minds and doors in an industry that desperately needed more diversity and global perspectives.
Second, there’s the entrepreneurship angle. By launching Tropic of C and building a brand separate from her modeling identity, she’s created something that will outlast her runway career and provides a blueprint for other models looking to control their narratives and build lasting businesses.
Third, there’s the advocacy work. Using her platform to drive awareness and support for causes like HIV/AIDS prevention in Africa demonstrates a commitment to making her success meaningful beyond personal achievement.
Finally, there’s the longevity. In an industry notorious for quickly discarding models as they age, Candice has maintained relevance, continued booking major campaigns, and evolved with the times while staying true to her core brand identity.
The Road Ahead
For young models just starting out, aspiring entrepreneurs in the fashion space, or anyone interested in how to build a meaningful career in a challenging industry, Candice Swanepoel’s story offers valuable lessons. Success isn’t just about being discovered, it’s about what you do with the opportunity. It’s about working hard, staying professional, diversifying your portfolio, building genuine relationships, and using your platform responsibly.
As Candice continues her journey, walking runways, building her business, raising her sons, and advocating for causes that matter, she remains an inspiration and a reminder that the most successful careers are built on more than just talent or luck. They’re built on vision, values, and the courage to keep evolving.
Whether you’re a longtime fan who’s followed her since those early Victoria’s Secret shows or someone just discovering her story, one thing is clear: Candice Swanepoel isn’t just a supermodel, she’s a trailblazer whose impact will be felt in fashion and beyond for years to come. Follow her journey, support her advocacy work, and watch as she continues to redefine what it means to be a modern supermodel in an ever-changing world.
