Gisele Bundchen is a Brazilian model, environmental activist, author, actress, and businesswoman. She is one of the world's top-earning models and one of the most recognizable faces in fashion. But, who is her twin sister Patricia, and how has she influenced her life?
Gisele's Rise to Fame
Gisele was raised in a small rural town in southern Brazil, with her five sisters, including Patricia, her fraternal twin.
Earlier on, Gisele hoped to become a volleyball player, but nobody knew that she would forever change the fashion world. It began in 1994 at the age of 14. The model was spotted by a modeling agent for Elite Model Management, one of the world's largest modeling agencies.
Gisele entered the agency's contest, later renamed Elite Model Look, in which she placed second nationally and entered the top 5 globally. In 1997, Gisele appeared on the cover of the Brazilian Edition Vogue in October. At the time, waifish frames for varying styles, so despite her being curvier than the average model. During this time, she continued to appear on the covers of many publications.
That same year Gisele travel to London, where she attended 42 go-sees but only took part in two international shows. The following year, she moved to New York to launch a professional modeling career. Soon after, she made her runway debut at New York Fashion Week, one of the industry's four major semiannual events.
This was one of her first big breaks as designer Lee Alexander McQueen chose her for his friendly show because of her ability to walk in towering new heels on a slippery red Bay.
At the age of 19, she made her international debut at Alexander McQueen spring 1999 runways when she acquired her first nickname, "the body," which would stick around for her entire career. This same year, she shot ad campaigns for fashion labels such as Ralph Lauren, Valentino, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Chloe, and more.
She became an international sensation when she signed a 25 million contract with Victoria's Secret and upgraded her status from model to supermodel. Gisele sported the most expensive fantasy bra, titled the Red Hot Fantasy Bra costing $15 million.
Gisele's Relationship with her Twin
On July 20, Gisele celebrated her 40th birthday with some never-before-seen pictures of her twin sister, Patricia. The model posted a series of photos to Instagram and captured the post "today Pati and I get to celebrate four decades of being alive on this amazing planet! How lucky I was to be born with my twin and best friend!" and she added, "I'm grateful for every experience that has helped shape who I am today."
In the pics, little Gisele and Pati are wearing matching dresses, twining with their favorite dolls, and posing like models.
The two sisters were also having a wonderful time in front of what looks to be Lynda Carter's Wonder Woman costume. In another picture, when they were young adults, they're keeping it casual in matching denim and flip-flops, enjoying the great outdoors.
The Brazilian beauties decided not to match for a picture in their twenties where Gisele is rocking a casual white frock while her twin is opting for a Kelly green strapless dress.
The twins also shared a selfie sun-kissed and surprised. It was a happy birthday for both of them.
Patricia's Job
Patricia has worked as the manager and spokesperson of Gisele. She also tried modeling but achieved a more successful career helping her sister. Nowadays, Patricia works in Gisele's lingerie company, Intimates.
Gisele was the only model on Forbes' 2014 list of the World's Most Powerful Women. She has a net worth of approximately $400 million, which means her twin must receive a generous check from her sister.
A Success Story
Gisele is married to American football player Tom Brady. The couple has a son and daughter together and in 2016 were the only couple aside from Beyoncé and Jay-Z to feature in Forbes Celebrity 100 list.
By featuring on the covers of 600 worldwide fashion magazines and lifestyle publications, she seconds the late Princess Diana for the largest number of magazine cover appearances in the world. She released her book called Lessons: My Path to a Meaningful Life, a New York Times bestseller and the best-selling book for over six months.
In 2019, Gisele produced a documentary titled Kiss the Ground, which focuses on a group of activists, scientists, farmers, and politicians, who band together in the global movement of regenerative agriculture to balance the climate, replenish the vast water supplies, and feed the world.
Patricia has always been there for Gisele. Thanks to the support of all her family, the model has a pretty successful life. Although Patricia has kept a low profile and decided to stay out of the spotlight, her admiration and constant support for her family's benefit are admirable. Known as gorgeous twins, they continue making history.