Kendall Jenner overtakes Gisele Bündchen as highest-paid model

  • 22/11/2017
Kendall Jenner modelling for Victoria's Secret
Jenner is now the highest paid model in the world. Photo credit: Getty

Kendall Jenner has topped a list of the world's highest paid models, edging Gisele Bundchen out of the number one spot for the first time in 15 years - a ranking which reflects the growing power of social media influencers.

Ashley Graham became the first plus-size woman to make the annual Forbes list of top earning models, ranked in 10th place with an estimated income of $US5.5 million ($NZ8.05 million) between June 1, 2016, and June 1, 2017.

Jenner, 22, the half sister of Kim Kardashian, earned an estimated $US22 million ($NZD32 million) for the year thanks both to her runway fashion jobs and an 84 million Instagram following that helped her launch her own clothing line and win deals with the likes of Adidas and Estee Lauder, Forbes said.

Brazil's Bundchen, 37, who has held the top spot since 2002, was ranked second this year with an estimated $US17.5 million ($NZD26 million), Forbes said.

Chrissy Teigen joined the Forbes list for the first time, taking the no.3 spot with estimated earnings of $US13.5 million ($NZD19.7 million). Teigen, 31, the wife of singer John Legend, is also prolific on Twitter and Instagram and has deals with brands like Smirnoff to boost her earnings from fashion.

Forbes said that the world's 10 highest-paid models banked a cumulative $US109.5 million ($NZD160.3 million) for the year, before taxes and fees. It estimated earnings from income from cosmetics, fragrance and other contracts based on interviews with managers, agents and brand executives.

Reuters