Forbes list of the world's highest-paid models

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This is a list of the highest-paid models—applicable to either sex— in the world as ranked by Forbes magazine. For measurement, the magazine used pretax earnings, and fees for agents, managers and lawyers are not deducted, based on the report of 2018.[1] The estimated figures are based on interviews with managers, agents, brand executives, and industry experts.[1] Models income came from multiples entries, including endorsements, licensing ventures, runway shows, and commercial catalogs.[2][3]

The lists are nearly exclusive to female models, as the magazine rarely compiles a list based on male models—the last time being in 2013.[4][a] The modeling industry is a women-dominated sector, one of the few industries where the gender pay gap is reversed, where male models typically earn far less than their counterparts.[5] According to PayScale in 2013, female models had an average salary of $41,300, earning 148% more than male models.[3] By 2008, a successful male model could earn a mid-six-figure range, maxing out around $500,000 a year.[5]

Supermodel Gisele Bündchen was the highest-ranked model on Forbes earning lists till 2017 before being overtaken by Kendall Jenner, in different measurements, including the largest string of appearances on the top, and the highest sum registered ($47 million in 2014). Sean O'Pry has the highest sum reported by Forbes for a male model in a year ($1.5 million in 2013).

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference FB2018 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference List2000 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b Le, Vanna (October 8, 2013). "The World's Top-Earning Male Models Of 2013". Forbes. Archived from the original on December 3, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  4. ^ Robehmed, Natalie (August 30, 2016). "The World's Highest-Paid Models 2016: Karlie Kloss And Kendall Jenner Storm Top Three With $10 Million Apiece". Forbes. Archived from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  5. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference FB8 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).


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