Gisele Bundchen, the Brazilian supermodel who has been illuminating catwalks the world over for the past two decades, is retiring from the runway with what is expected to be her final lap on Wednesday at Sao Paulo Fashion Week.
The 34-year-old mother of two, who’s married to NFL quarterback Tom Brady, said she wants to spend more time with her family but has also vowed to continue working in the industry.
The world’s highest-paid model according to a 2014 ranking by Forbes, Bundchen is the face of Chanel, Carolina Herrera, Pantene and other top brands. She also designs her own line of flip flops and lingerie.
PHOTOS: Sexy Supermodel Gisele Bundchen
Bundchen rivals soccer legend Pele for the status of Brazil’s most internationally famous person, and her rise from a middle-class childhood in a small, rural town to superstar is the stuff of fashion legend.
In a posting Wednesday on her Instagram account, Bundchen wrote, “Today after 20 years in the industry, it is a privilege to be doing my last fashion show by choice and yet still be working in other facets of the business.”
“I am grateful that at 14, I was given the opportunity to start this journey,” she wrote.
