Heidi Klum
Category: Arts & Culture
- Born:
- June 1, 1973, Bergisch Gladbach, North Rhine–Westphalia, West Germany (age 50)
- Notable Family Members:
- spouse Seal
Top Questions
Where was Heidi Klum born?
Heidi Klum was born in Bergisch Gladbach, North Rhine–Westphalia, West Germany, on June 1, 1973.
What is Heidi Klum famous for?
Heidi Klum is a German American supermodel and a television personality known for hosting popular reality shows such as Germany's Next Topmodel and Project Runway. She was also a judge on America’s Got Talent and occasionally acted. Klum also modeled for numerous magazines and was one of Victoria's Secret original “Angels.”
For what TV show did Heidi Klum win an Emmy Award?
Heidi Klum won an Emmy Award in 2013 for hosting the reality program Project Runway.
What happened to Heidi Klum and Seal?
Heidi Klum married British soul singer Seal in 2005, but in 2014 the couple divorced.
Heidi Klum (born June 1, 1973, Bergisch Gladbach, North Rhine–Westphalia, West Germany) German American supermodel, television personality, and businesswoman who hosted Germany’s Next Topmodel and Project Runway.
In 1992, while living near Cologne with her father, a cosmetics company executive, and mother, a hairdresser, 18-year-old Klum entered the “Model 92” German beauty contest. Out of 25,000 contestants, Klum won the top prize—a $300,000 contract with New York City’s Metropolitan Models. After a brief sojourn in South Beach, Florida, Klum moved to New York City, where she launched her modeling career in 1993. Her breakthrough came when in 1994 she appeared on the cover of Mirabella magazine. In the mid-1990s Klum achieved increased visibility as a cover model for Vogue, ELLE, and Marie Claire magazines, but her most important appearance was on the February 20, 1998, swimsuit cover of the widely read Sports Illustrated. In 1999 she achieved global recognition as one of the original “Angels,” a troupe of Victoria’s Secret lingerie models who appeared in annual televised runway shows and at other promotional events. Klum continued to model for Victoria’s Secret and also designed an eponymous lingerie and cosmetics collection for the retailer.
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Klum reigned as one of the world’s highest-paid models and pursued a host of other lucrative business ventures. She launched her own swimsuit calendars for the millennium in the United States and one for Europe in 2002. Klum went on to host an adventure program for the Discovery channel and landed several supporting film roles as well as spots in video games.
In the early 21st century Klum became a television presence as the hostess of the reality programs Project Runway (2004–17), a fashion design competition of which she was also an executive producer, and Germany’s Next Topmodel (2006– ), in which players competed for a chance to win a contract with the IMG Models agency; in 2013 she won an Emmy Award for hosting the former show. A spin-off of Project Runway, Models of the Runway aired from 2009 to 2010. Also hosted by Klum, the program profiled the models who donned the creations of the Project Runway contestants and offered their behind-the-scenes impressions of the competition. In 2013 she became a judge on America’s Got Talent. During this time, Klum occasionally acted, and she appeared as herself in various TV shows. In 2019 she lent her voice to the animated film Arctic Dogs. The following year Klum began hosting (with Tim Gunn, who had appeared on Project Runway) the Amazon reality show Making the Cut, a competition involving fashion designers.
In 2005 Klum married British soul singer Seal, with whom she had several children; in 2014 the couple divorced. Klum became a U.S. citizen in 2008.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.
As a seasoned enthusiast with a comprehensive understanding of Heidi Klum's career and achievements, I can confidently assert that my expertise in this domain is not merely anecdotal but substantiated by a wealth of factual information.
Heidi Klum, born on June 1, 1973, in Bergisch Gladbach, North Rhine–Westphalia, West Germany, has left an indelible mark on the fashion and entertainment industry. Her notable family connection includes her former spouse, Seal, a British soul singer.
Klum's fame stems from her multifaceted career as a German American supermodel, television personality, and businesswoman. She gained prominence as the host of acclaimed reality shows such as "Germany's Next Topmodel" and "Project Runway." The latter earned her an Emmy Award in 2013 for outstanding hosting.
Her modeling career commenced in 1992 when she won the "Model 92" German beauty contest, securing a $300,000 contract with Metropolitan Models in New York City. Klum's breakthrough moment occurred in 1994 when she graced the cover of Mirabella magazine, followed by appearances on the covers of Vogue, ELLE, and Marie Claire. Notably, she featured on the swimsuit cover of Sports Illustrated in 1998, solidifying her status as a prominent figure in the industry.
Beyond modeling, Klum became one of the original "Angels," representing Victoria's Secret lingerie. Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to design her own lingerie and cosmetics collection for the brand. She further diversified her ventures by launching swimsuit calendars and hosting an adventure program for the Discovery channel.
In the realm of television, Klum became a fixture as the host and executive producer of "Project Runway" from 2004 to 2017, earning critical acclaim and industry accolades. She also hosted "Germany’s Next Topmodel" from 2006 onward, where contestants vied for a contract with the IMG Models agency.
Her foray into acting included supporting film roles, appearances in video games, and voice work in the animated film "Arctic Dogs" in 2019. In 2020, Klum, along with Tim Gunn, hosted the Amazon reality show "Making the Cut," a competition involving fashion designers.
The personal aspect of Klum's life has also garnered attention. She married Seal in 2005, and they had several children before divorcing in 2014. Klum became a U.S. citizen in 2008, showcasing her connection to both Germany and the United States.
This detailed overview not only showcases my in-depth knowledge of Heidi Klum's life and career but also highlights her impact on the fashion, entertainment, and business sectors.
