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5 things you didn’t know about Brazilian fashion model Gisele Bündchen

And it goes beyond being ‘The Body’.

Harper's Bazaar India

American author John C Maxwell once said, “Life is a matter of choices, and every choice you make, makes you.” This line embodies the journey of 42-year old fashion model and mama, Gisele Bündchen, who started modelling at 14, when she was whisked away for a catalogue shoot in Tokyo. She describes the initial phase of her journey as being ‘catapulted into early adulthood’, but she stood her ground and made choices that made her the strong and empowered woman she is today. Like most famous personalities, Bündchen’s story is replete with passions beyond modelling, obstacles hidden amidst a “glamourous” life, and unfulfilled dreams. Here's a glimpse of Gisele Bündchen's journey.  

She was rejected 42 times before she landed her first runway gig
In an interview published a few years ago, Bündchen opened up about the beginning of her modelling journey. “I was told I would never make it.” For someone who became known worldwide as ‘The Body’, she faced snarky remarks about her facial features and figure—big nose, small eyes and un-ideal—when she began her career in 1995. She recalls being rejected nearly 42 times before she landed her first runway gig with designer Alexander McQueen in 1998. At 16, the Brazilian model was credited for ending the 'heroin chic' era of models. 

She is a lover of nature 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Gisele Bündchen (@gisele)

Nature has always been close to the model’s heart, who was born and raised in the city of Horizontina in the Rio Grande do Sul state in Southern Brazil. The model and mama now switches between her two homes in Costa Rica and Florida. Her Instagram is brimming with sunset pictures by the beach and hugging trees as she contemplates the many miracles of life. She seems to be in a new phase of her life—away from controversies and amidst nature. 

We can’t help but list down her many achievements

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Gisele Bündchen (@gisele)

Though these maybe widely known facts in the world of fashion and modelling, nothing can take away from Bündchen’s rise to success. She was was the highest paid model from 2004 till 2016, has appeared on more than 12,000 magazine covers, signed a $25 million contract with Victoria’s Secret, was named 'The Most Beautiful Girl in the World' by Rolling Stones, appeared in a cameo in The Devil Wears Prada, wrote a book called Lessons: My Path to a Meaningful Life, and so much more. Phew. Is there anything she hasn’t done? 

She learns jujitsu 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Gisele Bündchen (@gisele)

Early last year, the model and her children Benny and Vivi started learning the martial art form Jujutsu—Bündchen believes it is the perfect blend of spirituality and self-defense—under the tutelage of the Miami-based Valente Brothers. They’ve taken to it with such joy and passion that there is a dedicated practice room in the house. She loves her role of ‘mother’, and strives to bring up her children to be people with integrity. And here’s another secret: Bündchen, a fan of Bruce Lee, practiced Kung Fu until the ninth month of her pregnancy. 

Mariah Carey taught her how to speak English 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Gisele Bündchen (@gisele)


Coming from a primarily Spanish- and Portugese-speaking country, Bündchen was not as fluent in English as she would have liked to be. When she arrived in New York City in the 1990s to pursue modelling, her inability to communicate in English caused unnecessary trouble, such as walking the runway topless, facing objectification, and more. After struggling for a while, she learned the language from a surprising source—her Boyz II Men and Mariah Carey cassettes. During an appearance on the Jimmy Fallon Show, she said: “They were great teachers, so I have to thank them one day if I ever meet them. They were very inspiring.”

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