Recent Posts
They’re gorgeous. They’re glamorous. They’re … charitable? In a world of unrealistic body expectations and towering couture gowns, some fashion models are standing apart from their teased hair and bold smokey eyes and taking on another feat: philanthropy. Since the days of Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe, these women have been taking enormous strides in support of humanitarian causes. Here are some of our favorite models who are paying it forward.
Rocha, who has been declared “Model of the Year” on separate occasions by both Elle and Marie-Claire, is much more than just a pretty face. In 2011, she created the jewelry line Coco Rocha for Senhoa, which supports the victims of human trafficking in Cambodia. The pieces are hand-crafted by survivors and all proceeds go to the Senhoa program. Her charity work doesn’t stop there, however. Rallying for bone marrow donors, this generous woman has been a DKMS Ambassador for more than six years.
This long-time Victoria’s Secret Angel and Forbes-declared second highest earning model ($9 million in 2015), has a lot going for her. Not only has she proudly modeled a bra with a value totaling $2 million, but she’s dedicated her time to multiple charities. Among her other philanthropic ventures, Lima works at the orphanage Paths of Light in Salvador, helping to expand their orphanage as well as providing clothing for the children. When she was featured on the Turkish equivalent of “Deal or No Deal,” she donated all of her winnings to fighting leukemia in an Istanbul hospital.
Bundchen’s list of charitable actions could constitute an article in themselves. She donated $150,000 to the Zero Hunger Program, designed necklaces for Harper’s Bazaar to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and sold a signed iPod with a personal playlist to support the replacement of instruments lost in the Gulf Coast Region after a series of disastrous hurricanes. She’s often modeled for companies or products whose contributions or messages support Product Red, which donates money to HIV and AIDS victims in Africa. She donated $1 million to the earthquake fund by the Japanese Red Cross Society. In 2010, she gave $1.5 million to the Red Cross for relief in Haiti. For brevity’s sake, her long list of philanthropy will end there. Bundchen, we commend you for your charitable efforts.
Besides modeling for Sports Illustrated, Victoria’s Secret, La Perla, Elle and a seemingly endless list of other fashion-forward magazines, Nemcova has done her fair share of charity work. In 2005, she created the Happy Hearts Fund in response to the Indian Ocean Tsunami of 2004. In 2005, she was awarded the Survivor Award by Glamour magazine for the aid she provided to people after the tsunami. As of 2013, she had helped build over 70 schools. Well done, Nemcova.
Vodianova truly lived the rags to riches storyline, so it’s no wonder that her humble beginnings led her to a life of philanthropy. This Russian model worked a fruit stand with her mother before being discovered at 17. Now, she dedicates her time to her charity, the Naked Heart Foundation. Her foundation supports the inclusion of people with disabilities and special needs and their families. She also created an app called Elbi, by which anyone can practice mini-philanthropy and donate to charities.
After being forced to flee her home after two separate revolutions, it’s no wonder that Vasconcelos became such a charitable powerhouse. The former supermodel opened a maternity ward in Malawi right next to her home state, Mozambique. She worked for UNICEF beginning in the ’90s, and eventually started her own charity, AMOR, to reduce infant mortality rates. Her work in her home country is an inspiration to us all.
These women are giving back to the world in amazing ways. Despite their fame and fortune, they’re dedicating their time and resources to help the less fortunate. We commend these ladies and their dedication to philanthropy!
