She’s basically the last of a dying breed.
When people think about the "Golden Era" of Victoria's Secret, they usually picture the early 2010s. It was all about the hair, the tan, and that very specific, high-energy runway walk that seemed to disappear when the brand went on hiatus. But then came October 2025. The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show returned to Brooklyn, and there she was—Candice Swanepoel—reminding everyone why she’s the undisputed queen of the catwalk.
Honestly, it’s rare to see a model maintain this kind of grip on the industry for two decades. Candice isn't just a "model" anymore; she’s a blueprint. While others transitioned into full-time influencers or reality stars, Candice stayed rooted in the high-fashion world while quietly building a sustainable business empire.
In 2026, the conversation around her has shifted from "how does she look so good?" to "how did she actually build this?"
The Farm Girl Who Conquered the World
Most people know she’s South African. But the reality is a bit more "National Geographic" than most fans realize. Candice grew up on a dairy farm in Mooi River. We’re talking about a girl who literally spent her childhood helping her father, Willem, deliver calves and doing heavy farm chores.
She was a tomboy. Blue-eyed, gangly, and, according to her own interviews, often bullied at school for being "too thin."
Then, at 15, everything flipped. A scout named Kevin Ellis spotted her at a Durban flea market. It’s the kind of "Star is Born" story that feels fake, but it happened. By 16, she was making thousands of dollars a day in Europe. By 2007, she was walking her first Victoria's Secret show.
By 2010? She had her wings.
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That $10 Million Moment
If you want to understand the peak of the "Victoria's Secret Model Candice" era, you have to look at 2013. That was the year she wore the Royal Fantasy Bra. Designed by Mouawad, the thing was encrusted with over 4,200 precious stones, including a massive 52-carat pear-shaped ruby.
It cost $10 million.
Wearing that bra is the ultimate "I’ve made it" moment in the lingerie world. It’s also incredibly stressful. You’ve got two bodyguards following you at all times, and the weight of the jewelry is actually quite heavy. Candice didn't just walk it; she owned it.
Moving Past the "Angel" Label
The fashion industry changed. A lot. Between 2018 and 2024, the brand she helped build went through a massive identity crisis. Victoria’s Secret ditched the "Angel" wings, calling them "no longer culturally relevant."
Many models drifted away. Candice did the opposite. She stayed loyal but diversified.
She launched Tropic of C in 2018. It wasn't just another celebrity "collab" where she slapped her name on a tag. She’s the creative director. The brand focuses on eco-lifestyle and sustainable, ethically sourced swimwear.
It’s actually successful. Like, really successful.
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By 2026, Tropic of C has expanded into activewear and dance-inspired pieces, pulling from her childhood training as a ballet dancer. She’s using her business to fund programs for mothers2mothers, a charity helping to eliminate pediatric AIDS in Africa.
The Reality of Modern Motherhood
Being a supermodel mom isn't all filtered Instagram shots and private jets. Candice has two sons, Anacan (born 2016) and Ariel (born 2018), with her former partner Hermann Nicoli.
She’s been incredibly open about the "intensity" of raising two boys who are less than two years apart. In a 2025 Vogue feature, she admitted she often turns down massive international gigs because she wants to be the one picking up her kids from school.
"A modeling career can be rebooted," she famously said. "But a child's childhood is once in a lifetime."
Why the 2025 Comeback Mattered
When the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show finally returned in late 2025, there was a lot of skepticism. Could the brand still be "cool"?
When Candice stepped onto that Brooklyn stage in black lace and those iconic golden wings, the internet basically broke. It proved that "the walk" still matters. In an era of "nepotism babies" who sometimes struggle to find their rhythm on the runway, Candice showed what 20 years of experience looks like.
She’s now 37. In the modeling world of the 90s, she would have been "retired" by now. In 2026, she’s more influential than ever.
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What Most People Get Wrong
People think it’s just genetics. Sure, that’s part of it. But Candice is known in the industry for being a "workhorse." She speaks three languages fluently: English, Afrikaans, and Portuguese (which she learned during her 13-year relationship with Nicoli).
She’s also a savage businesswoman. Her net worth is estimated to be around $25 million to $30 million in 2026, but she’s transitioned from being a "face for hire" to owning the means of production.
Actionable Takeaways from the Candice Playbook
If you’re looking at her career and wondering how she stayed on top for two decades without a single major scandal, there are a few things anyone can learn:
- Diversify Early: She didn't wait for her modeling career to slow down before launching Tropic of C. She started building her "Exit Strategy" while she was still at the top.
- Stay Rooted: Despite living in New York and Brazil, she constantly credits her South African upbringing for her work ethic.
- Quality Over Quantity: In 2026, she does very few runway shows. But when she does one, it’s a global event.
- Use Your Platform: Her work with mothers2mothers isn't just a tax write-off; she’s a global ambassador who actually travels and does the work.
Whether you're a fan of the wings or not, you have to respect the hustle. Candice Swanepoel didn't just survive the era of the Victoria's Secret Angel; she outlasted it, evolved, and somehow ended up more relevant than when she started.
If you're following her career today, keep an eye on her expansion into lifestyle and wellness. She's moving toward a "Gwyneth Paltrow meets Gisele Bündchen" space, and honestly, she's pulling it off.
The next step is simple: watch how she uses Tropic of C to push for more sustainability in an industry that desperately needs it. She’s proving that you can be the "hottest woman in the world" and the smartest person in the boardroom at the same time.