When Gisele Bündchen signed her first massive contract with Victoria's Secret back in 2000, the fashion world basically shifted on its axis. We aren't just talking about a model getting a paycheck. We are talking about a $25 million deal that turned a 19-year-old Brazilian girl into a global commodity overnight. It was a lot. Honestly, it was more than just "a lot"—it was the end of the "heroin chic" era and the start of something much louder.
The thing about the Victoria's Secret and Gisele Bündchen partnership is that it felt like a permanent marriage. You couldn't think of one without the other. But by 2006, the vibe had changed. Behind the glitter and the $15 million "Red Hot Fantasy Bra" (which still holds the Guinness World Record for the most expensive lingerie ever), Gisele was struggling.
She was 26 and tired.
The Teacup Decision That Changed Everything
People often think Gisele left Victoria's Secret because of some massive blow-up or a rival brand poaching her. That's not really how it went down. By 2006, her contract was up for renewal, and she was feeling a deep sense of dread. In her memoir, Lessons: My Path to a Meaningful Life, she admits she was becoming increasingly uncomfortable walking the runway in a thong.
Imagine being the most famous woman in the world, and your primary job requirement is to be nearly naked in front of millions. She used to ask for wings, capes, or even a literal tail—anything to cover her backside. She just didn't want to be "the body" anymore.
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So, she did what anyone under extreme pressure might do. She let fate handle it.
Gisele wrote "yes" and "no" on two tiny scraps of paper, crumpled them up, and threw them into an empty teacup. She closed her eyes, reached in, and pulled out the "no." That was it. She walked away from a deal that accounted for roughly 80% of her annual income at the time. It was a massive gamble. But she says that the moment she saw that "no," her body finally felt at peace.
By The Numbers: The Gisele Era
- The Contract: A five-year deal worth $25 million signed in 2000.
- The Fantasy Bra: The "Red Hot" set she wore in 2000 was valued at $15 million, featuring over 1,300 gemstones.
- The Paycheck: Even after leaving VS, she remained the world's highest-paid model for 15 consecutive years (2002–2017).
- The Stride: She popularized the "horse walk," a high-kicking, powerful gait that replaced the waifish shuffles of the 90s.
Why Gisele Bündchen Still Matters in 2026
It’s 2026 now, and Gisele’s life looks nothing like it did in those VS Fashion Show clips. She’s 45. She’s a mother of three. She recently welcomed a new baby with her husband, Joaquim Valente, and has been very vocal about finding "peace" away from the hyper-speed of the runway.
But why do we still talk about her time at Victoria's Secret?
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Because she was the last of the "True Supers." Today, we have "nepo babies" and social media influencers. Back then, Gisele was a legitimate phenomenon who reached the top through sheer, terrifying work ethic. She once appeared on 37 international Vogue covers in a single year. That’s insane.
Her exit from Victoria's Secret actually signaled the beginning of the brand's long, slow decline. Without her "horse walk" to anchor the show, the spectacle started to feel a bit hollow. She was the one who brought the "sexy" back to a world that had forgotten what it looked like.
The Financial Risk Nobody Talks About
Most people don't realize how much money she actually left on the table. In 2007, when she officially cut ties, she wasn't just leaving a job; she was leaving a safety net. Reports from that time suggested she wanted a raise on her $5 million annual salary, and the brand balked.
She didn't blink.
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She pivoted to high fashion, environmental activism, and her own business ventures, like her Ipanema sandal line. By 2014, she was earning $47 million a year—far more than she ever would have made staying an Angel. She proved that you don't need the wings to fly, which is a cheesy metaphor, but in her case, it happens to be true.
What Most People Get Wrong
There's a common misconception that she hates her Victoria's Secret years. She doesn't. In recent interviews, like her 2022 "Life in Looks" with British Vogue, she spoke fondly of the "production" and the "fun" of the live shows. She just outgrew the costume.
She reached a point where her "highest and best self" (as she calls it) didn't involve being photographed in a G-string. That’s a powerful boundary to set when there are tens of millions of dollars at stake.
Actionable Insights for the Modern Career
Gisele’s exit from the biggest lingerie brand on earth offers a few real-world lessons that apply even if you aren't a Brazilian supermodel:
- Trust the "No": If your body is reacting with anxiety to a "dream job," it’s probably not the dream anymore. Listen to that visceral reaction.
- Diversify Your Identity: Gisele was never just an Angel. She did movies (The Devil Wears Prada), she did high-fashion editorials, and she invested in real estate. When she left VS, she still had a foundation to stand on.
- Know Your Worth: When the brand wouldn't meet her valuation in 2007, she left. She didn't settle for less because she was afraid of being "forgotten."
- Redefine "Retirement": Gisele "retired" from the runway in 2015, but she never stopped working. She simply moved into a phase of life where she chooses the projects, not the other way around.
Today, Gisele is living in Miami, focusing on her family and her role as a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN. She’s traded the $15 million bras for a quieter life, and honestly, looking at her career trajectory, it was the smartest move she ever made.
Next Steps for You
If you want to understand the full weight of her impact, go back and watch her 1999 Alexander McQueen "rain" runway walk. It’s the exact moment she became "Gisele." After that, look into her Luz Foundation, which focuses on empowering young girls—a clear evolution from her days as a commercial icon. Understanding the shift from "being looked at" to "being heard" is the key to her 2026 legacy.