Heidi Klum

 Heidi Klum was born 1973 in Bergisch Gladbach (a small German city located near Cologne). She became a fashion model and a swimsuit model almost by accident when she sent photographs to the model contest of Petra. Klum was the winner and signed with Metropolitan, a German modeling agency. After modeling for a few years in Europe with huge success, Klum retreated to the United States to pursue modeling. She had more success in the United States, culminating in her marriage to Victoria's Secret. It led her to the top of modeling and, in 1998, the coveted cover of Sports Illustrated's annual Swimsuit Issue, cementing her status as one of the world's top models. Her own collection of jewelry, sandals and perfumes was also a lucrative marketing opportunity.