Recent mothers among world's top-earning models

Brazilian beauty Gisele Bundchen is the top-earning model in the world, according to forbes.com.

It is estimated that Bundchen, 29, will earn US$25m (NZ$35m) in the year to June 2010, pushing her ahead of Heidi Klum ($16m) and Kate Moss ($9m).

The figures show that despite the recession, which saw many advertising budgets contract, well-known models were still able to command good pay packets.

"Companies want to know that if they're putting money behind a talent that she is recession-proof," Ivan Bart, senior vice president and managing director of IMG Models, told forbes.com.

"We find that the experienced models continue to earn well."

In addition to her modelling engagements Bundchen, who is married to NFL quarterback Tom Brady and gave birth to their first child last December, has her own skin care line and footwear brand - Ipanema by Gisele.

Fellow mother Klum, 36, has forged a successful off-catwalk career as the host of reality TV show Project Runway but she continues to star in modelling campaigns for a wide variety of companies.

British model Moss, also 36, is the face of Versace - among others - and has more recently branched into fashion design, creating a line for retailer Topshop and handbags for luxury label Longchamp.

Others models to make the cut include Holland's Doutzen Kroes, Australian Miranda Kerr and American Carolyn Murphy - the face of Estee Lauder.

The world's top-earning models

1. Gisele Bundchen
2. Heidi Klum
3. Kate Moss
4. Adriana Lima
5. Doutzen Kroes
6. Alessandra Ambrosio and Natalia Vodianova
8. Daria Werbowy
9. Miranda Kerr
10. Carolyn Murphy

- NZ HERALD STAFF