Heidi Klum

Top Swimsuit Supermodel

Profile
Popular name            Heidi Klum        
Birth date                  June 1, 1973
Birth place                Bergisch-Gladbach, North Rhine Westphalia, German
Height                       5' 8" (1.73 m)
Occupation               Model, Actress and TV Host


Career
At 18, Klum wins a national modeling contest after she and a friend send Polariods of themselves to a German magazine ad. Sporting a bikini and teased hair in her picture, Klum wins the top prize: a three-year modeling contract, $300,000 and the title of Ms. Model 1992. She signs with International Metropolitan Agency and kicks off her modeling career in Hamburg, Paris and Milan. The following year, Klum moves to the U.S to pursue modeling, living and working in Manhattan. Swimsuit Pinnacle Klum snags the coveted cover spot on Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue, becoming the first German to do so. The voluptuous, 5' 9 1/2" Klum is known for her killer body, but tells PEOPLE, "My smile is my favorite thing." The Caribbean island Grenada releases series of stamps with Klum's photo on them, much to Klum's delight, as her father is a stamp collector.