NEW YORK, March 19 — The rumour that had been swirling on the web for over a week was confirmed yesterday. At age 34, the internationally renowned supermodel Gisele Bundchen will walk the runway for the last time in Sao Paulo next month.

In the wake of the announcement, here is an overview of her brilliant 20-year career.

Discovered by recruiters at age 13, Gisele Bündchen was propelled into the spotlight through the prestigious Elite Model Look contest. Though she did not emerge as the top winner, the competition nonetheless launched her professional modelling career.

An Angel with a perfect silhouette

Noticed by Alexander McQueen, Gisele walked in her first show in New York when she was still a minor. Her ideal body measurements (86-60-86 cm/34-24-34in), her charisma and her confidence made her an instant success, taking her to supermodel status in no time.

In the early 2000s, the Brazilian beauty became a Victoria’s Secret Angel. Her multi-year collaboration with the lingerie brand lifted her to the top tier of the modelling world and made her a household name. Since then, she has been in high demand among the world’s leading designers and walked the runways of all the major fashion capitals.

Campaigns, runway shows and magazine covers

Listing all the brands that have hired Gisele Bündchen would be a gargantuan task; suffice it to say she has certainly made her way around the fashion and beauty world over the past two decades.

In terms of runway appearances, aside from walking for Victoria’s Secret each season, the supermodel was recently seen in the Spring-Summer 2015 shows of Givenchy, Alexander Wang, Balenciaga and Chanel.

The Brazilian bombshell’s perfect body and photogenic face have also made her a frequent campaign spokesmodel. She has fronted campaigns for leading luxury brands including Dior, Chanel, Lanvin, Dolce & Gabbana, Versace, Loewe, Roberto Cavalli, Isabel Marant, Balenciaga, Louis Vuitton, H&M, Ipanema and Sonia Rykiel, among others.

Naturally, the slender model has graced the cover of multiple issues of Vogue and other fashion magazines, in addition to featuring in the famous Pirelli Calendar.

Widely considered to be one of the most beautiful women on the planet, Gisele is also one of the most powerful according to Forbes’ 2007 ranking.

In fact, despite her announced retirement from modelling, the fashion and beauty worlds have likely not seen the last of Gisele Bündchen. — AFP/Relaxnews