About
Alessandra Corine Ambrósio is a Brazilian‑American model, entrepreneur, and occasional actress whose sun‑kissed smile became one of the signatures of the Victoria’s Secret runway. Born on April 11, 1981, in the small farming town of Erechim, Rio Grande do Sul, she stepped onto the global stage as the very first spokesmodel for the lingerie giant’s PINK line and then served as a Victoria’s Secret Angel from 2004 to 2017. Her résumé soon grew to include campaigns for Christian Dior, Armani, Ralph Lauren and more, helping her land on Forbes’ list of the world’s highest‑paid models.
Beyond the catwalk, Ambrósio has turned businesswoman. She introduced the boho‑inspired apparel line Ále by Alessandra in 2014 and, with her sister Aline and best friend Gisele Cória, co‑founded the beachwear label GAL Floripa in 2019, a brand celebrated for its “divine feminine” ethos and Brazilian flair. She also lends her name to beauty and wellness campaigns, most recently becoming a global ambassador for Spanish dermo‑cosmetic brand ISDIN to promote skin‑health awareness.
Philanthropy runs parallel to her fashion success. Motivated by a family connection, she has long campaigned with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and frequently fronts its public‑service ads. During the 2016 Rio Olympics she co‑chaired Vogue’s #TeamRio initiative, rallying funds for BrazilFoundation’s social programs.
Before Fame
Alessandra’s path started far from flashing bulbs. She grew up speaking Portuguese and Italian heritage stories told by her grandparents, whose roots trace back to Padua and Poland. As a child she was self‑conscious about her ears and underwent otoplasty at age 11; a rough recovery two years later taught her early lessons in resilience.
At 12 she enrolled in a local modeling course, and by 14 she was one of 20 finalists in Brazil’s 1995 Elite Model Look competition. The contest opened doors to Paris and New York test shoots, but the leap from provincial Brazil to international fashion did not come easily—she often recalls practicing English with phrase books between bookings and battling homesickness with nightly calls to her parents. Those small‑town beginnings, she says, are why she still prefers fresh‑made pão de queijo to any backstage catering.
Breakthrough work rolled in fast: a Roxy swim catalog at 16, a Cosmopolitan cover at 18, and her first walk in the 2000 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show—all before she could legally order a caipirinha in the U.S.
Trivia
- Ear surgery turned lesson: The botched otoplasty that left her bandaged for weeks became a reminder that “imperfections make stories,” a mantra she repeats to young models.
- Olympic moment: She carried Brazil’s fashion flag during the London 2012 closing ceremony hand‑off to Rio, sharing the stage with football legend Pelé.
- Hollywood cameos: Look closely and you’ll spot her in Casino Royale (2006), Daddy’s Home (2015) beside Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (2016) opposite Will Arnett—always playing herself and adding a wink of supermodel glamour.
- Naturalized citizen: In 2020 she completed the lengthy process to obtain U.S. citizenship, celebrating with fireworks emojis on Instagram.
- Ranking royalty: People named her one of the “100 Most Beautiful People” in 2007, and FHM readers placed her in their global top five the same year.
- Languages: She chats fluently in Portuguese, English, and conversational Spanish, and she’s been polishing Italian on Duolingo to honor her grandfather.
Family Life
Family remains Alessandra’s anchor. She shares two children with ex‑fiancé Jamie Mazur—daughter Anja Louise (born August 24, 2008) and son Noah Phoenix (born May 7, 2012). Although the couple quietly split in 2018 after a decade‑long engagement, they continue to co‑parent amicably, often vacationing together for the kids’ birthdays.
In late 2024 Alessandra confirmed a new romance with Australian creative director Buck Palmer, posting sunset selfies from Venice Beach and an Oscars after‑party snap that lit up social media. The duo, both 43, seem to bond over wellness retreats and surf sessions. Off‑duty, she splits her time between Los Angeles and Florianópolis—the “Magic Island” that inspired her swim label—so she can stay close to her parents Lucilda and Luiz and to sister‑turned‑business‑partner Aline.
Anja, now 16, is already dabbling in modeling, recently posing in matching bikinis for GAL Floripa’s campaign, while 12‑year‑old Noah prefers soccer and skate parks. Alessandra jokes that parenting teens keeps her “more grounded than any yoga class.”
Associated With
Throughout two decades in fashion, Ambrósio has crossed paths with—and often shared runways or philanthropic stages alongside—many icons:
- Adriana Lima, Tyra Banks, and Candice Swanepoel – fellow Victoria’s Secret legends who joined her during the brand’s 2024 fashion‑show revival.
- Gisele Bündchen – another Brazilian superstar; the pair frequently support environmental causes and appear together in #TeamRio campaigns.
- Francisco Costa – former Calvin Klein designer and co‑founder of #TeamRio, illustrating Alessandra’s commitment to charity beyond the catwalk.
- Will Arnett – her film counterpart in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, where the on‑screen kiss sparked playful tabloid buzz.
- Mark Wahlberg & Will Ferrell – comedy giants she joined in the Daddy’s Home franchise, proving she can deliver comic timing as smoothly as a runway pivot.
