Brazilian Model Invasion

Samba Mamas!

Forbes magazine recently ranked the top-earning models in the world, and three Latinas landed in the Top 5: Gisele Bündchen, Adriana Lima and Alessandra Ambrosio. All three are from Brazil, a country filled with exotic, toned, golden-skinned, vibrant and curvaceous women. And it's this mix that's been dominating the runways lately. Don't believe us? Some of the top models today hail from Brazil.

Gisele Bündchen

Once again, she's the top-earning model in the world, pulling an estimated $33 million this year. According to Forbes, her fortune is close to $200 million. Truth be told, Gisele is the queen of the supermodels these days, not only because of her income, but her countless endorsements and magazine covers. Last year, she and Leonardo DiCaprio ended their relationship of five years. Now you'll see her on the arm of Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. Bündchen and her twin sister, Patricia, just celebrated their 27th birthdays. No word on whether their four other sisters are into modeling, too.

Adriana Lima

She's the fourth highest paid model in the world, with an estimated income of $6 million. Discovered at age 13 at a shopping mall. In 1996, she won second place in the Ford Supermodel of the World contest, which led to runway modeling for famous designers such as Ralph Lauren, Valentino and Vera Wang. Lima is perhaps best known as a Victoria's Secret model and the face of Maybelline. The 26-year-old has been linked to singer Lenny Kravitz.

Alessandra Ambrosio

Alessandra is also a Victoria's Secret model. (Remember that lingerie made entirely with candy?) She follows Lima in the Forbes' list, ranking fifth and earning $6 million last year. She has her own swimwear line, is a Secret Angel and is known as the face of Armani. Off the runway, she's an ambassador for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Isabeli Fontana

By the time she was 12, Fontana knew she wanted to become a model. And by age 16, she made her first appearance in the Victoria's Secret catalog. Controversy soon followed, however, because the company violated its policy to hire models aged 21 or older. Still, the fashion world was fascinated with her, and she soon landed campaigns with Ralph Lauren, Valentino, bebe and Versace.

Raica Oliveira

This stunning brunette won the Elite model agency's contest for Brazil's new face, beating out over 30,000 girls ... and she also won the heart of soccer star Ronaldo. Her first job was for Christian Dior, and the story goes that when Raica came in for her shoot, the photographer sent all of the other girls home, choosing to work with her alone. Askmen.com cites that at one time, she had so many shoots a day, she only had time to eat a cookie between jobs. (Yeah, right.)

Jeísa Chiminazzo

By the time she was 13, Jeísa (now 22) was already gracing the covers of local magazines. It didn't take long before she moved to New York and landed a contract with the prestigious IMG Models. Fluent in Portuguese, English, Italian and German, she's been on the cover of six editions of Vogue and has taken part in several campaigns, including Calvin Klein's Be fragrance, Dolce & Gabanna, Lacoste, Hugo Boss and Victoria's Secret.

Ana Claudia Michels

Another gorgeous Brazilian, Ana Claudia is known as the Queen of the Catwalk, according to a poll by Vogue UK, beating out none other than Naomi Campbell. She's also famous for her work with Victoria's Secret, Calvin Klein and is a regular figure on the runways. Designer Stella McCartney (Paul's daughter) picked her for a Chanel campaign. She also landed a hard-to-get gig, posing for the ultra-exclusive Pirelli calendar.

Ana Beatriz Barros

Discovered while working at a Rio de Janeiro beach, Ana Beatriz won the Elite Model Look contest in 1996. Soon after, she and her friend Alessandra Ambrosio landed spots in the Millennium GUESS? campaign. The 25-year-old has also modeled for L'Oreal, Diesel, Chanel, Dior and Victoria's Secret. Jennifer Lopez personally chose Barros to be the face of her new lingerie line.

Fernanda Tavares

At one time, Tavares was the Brazilian go-to model. Beginning in the late 1990s, her face was everywhere. But no hard feelings toward Giselle: They're actually best of friends. Since 1998, she has walked the runway for Valentino, Versace, Prada, John Galliano, Louis Vuitton and Ralph Lauren, just to name a few. She was even paid a cool million dollars to pose nude in an ad for Guerlain fragrance. In 2000, she was also chosen as a Secret Angel for Victoria's Secret shows.

Fernanda Motta

You see it in movies, but Motta really was discovered while enjoying the sun on a Rio beach. In fact, it was the same spot where Ana Beatriz Barros was invited to join an agency. After working on local TV and magazines, she started modeling for Wonderbra Brazil, Victoria's Secret and Pantene. Although she had done several covers, her breakthrough came in 2004, with her appearance in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition.

Ana Paula Araujo

More exotic and tan than her colleagues, Araujo turned heads with her photos in the 2007 Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition. The 25-year-old initially wanted to become a lawyer, but she loved the flashy lifestyle and beautiful clothes. So, how does she keep so toned? She practices capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian dance that incorporates self-defense.

Aline Nakashima

Her father is Japanese, and her mom is Brazilian, and like many of her colleagues, she didn't really think about becoming a model. After numerous ads for Saks Fifth Avenue, Ralph Lauren and Neiman Marcus, she was asked to pose for the 2006 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, and then success came her way. She was asked to pose again for the 2007 edition.