About
Rose Bertram, born Stéphanie Rose Bertram on 26 October 1994, is a Belgian model celebrated for bringing a vibrant, sun-kissed energy to major campaigns and magazine spreads. She first turned heads in 2015 when Sports Illustrated featured her in its famed Swimsuit Issue, making her the first Belgian model to grace those pages. That rookie appearance—plus work with brands like H&M, L’Oréal Paris, Savage X Fenty and Agent Provocateur—cemented her as a versatile talent who can glide from high-fashion runways to beach editorials with effortless confidence. Today she splits her time between Europe and fashion capitals worldwide, balancing photo shoots, brand collaborations and an ever-growing social-media presence that tops one million followers.
Before Fame
Bertram grew up in the Flemish town of Sint-Niklaas, Belgium, the daughter of a Belgian father with Scottish roots and a mother of Portuguese, Angolan and Senegalese heritage. That rich cultural mix helped shape her striking look, but early on agencies told her she was “too small” for traditional runway work. Undeterred, thirteen-year-old Rose signed with Dominique Models, and at sixteen she landed a creative shoot with renowned photographer Juergen Teller. Momentum followed quickly: by eighteen she had relocated to the United States, signing with Marilyn Models in New York before later joining IMG. A move to Paris—and later to Istanbul—expanded her network, exposed her to couture fashion weeks and primed her for the breakout Sports Illustrated moment that would propel her onto the international stage.
Trivia
- History-maker: Her 2015 Sports Illustrated debut made her the magazine’s first Belgian model and one of its youngest Rookies of the Year.
- Style curator: In 2022 she co-designed a nostalgic Y2K capsule for G-Star RAW, proving her creative eye extends beyond posing in front of the lens.
- Voice for inclusivity: Having once been told she lacked “ideal” measurements, Bertram now champions body diversity and uses her platform to encourage young talent who feel overlooked by old standards.
- Multilingual maven: Fluent in Dutch, French and English, she navigates photo sets and press tours with ease, and often sprinkles her social updates with each language.
- Active lifestyle: Boxing workouts, coastal hikes and home-cooked West African dishes fill her downtime—hobbies she shares regularly with fans to highlight balanced wellness.
Family Life
Bertram’s long-time partner was Dutch footballer Gregory van der Wiel, whom she dated for nearly a decade. Their romance spanned moves from Paris (during his Paris Saint-Germain stint) to Istanbul (after his transfer to Fenerbahçe) and Toronto, where their first child, Naleya Rose, was born in February 2018. Three years later they welcomed a second daughter, Zaylee Rose. Rose frequently celebrates their milestones online—her February 2025 post for Naleya’s seventh birthday radiated pure mother-daughter joy. While she and Van der Wiel separated in 2022, they continue to co-parent amicably and prioritize stability for their girls.
Associated With
Because of her ties to the football world, Bertram’s social circle spans sports and fashion. She and Van der Wiel have been photographed alongside teammates like Zlatan Ibrahimović, and her runway résumé has introduced friendships with models such as Adriana Lima and Shanina Shaik. In 2023 French tabloids buzzed about an alleged romance with superstar striker Kylian Mbappé—rumors Bertram publicly downplayed—while 2024 gossip columns briefly linked her to actor Leonardo DiCaprio. Regardless of headlines, she stays focused on family, fashion and forging collaborations with creatives who share her upbeat spirit.