Who is Candice Swanepoel ?

Candice Swanepoel, hailing from South Africa, transformed from a farm girl into a global fashion icon. She gained fame as a Victoria’s Secret Angel. Born on October 20, 1988, in Mooi River, her beauty and talent have inspired millions worldwide. Moreover, her dedication to charity work further elevates her influence.

Humble Beginnings

Candice spent her childhood on a dairy farm in the South African countryside. Her father, Willem, hailed from Zimbabwe, and her mother, Eileen, had British ancestry. Growing up with her Afrikaner family taught Candice resilience and how to appreciate a simple life surrounded by nature. As a child, she practiced ballet and later attended St. Anne's Diocesan College as a boarder near Hilton. At 15 years old, during a visit to a Durban flea market, someone noticed her distinct appearance—her bright blue eyes and natural radiance—and that chance encounter set her on the path to pursue modeling.

Path to Stardom

Her career skyrocketed at an incredible pace. Major magazines like Vogue, Elle, Harper's Bazaar, and GQ featured her from the U.S. to Japan, highlighting her wide-ranging talents. She graced runways for top-tier brands such as Chanel, Fendi, Versace, Dior, Givenchy, and Ralph Lauren. Her presence in campaigns for Tom Ford, Miu Miu, Diesel, Nike, and Guess? solidified her commercial appeal.

The peak came with Victoria's Secret; she made her debut in 2007 and became an Angel in 2010 alongside big names like Behati Prinsloo and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. She had the honor of opening their first Canadian store in Edmonton and was the face of the 2013 Swim catalog. That same year brought a dazzling moment: she wore the $10 million Royal Fantasy Bra featuring 4,200 gems with a stunning 52-carat ruby crafted by Mouawad. Fans admired how gracefully she handled those

Awards and Earnings

Her popularity skyrocketed with several impressive accolades. In 2014, she claimed the top spot on Maxim's Hot 100 list, dominated FHM rankings, and was honored as Revolve's Woman of the Year in 2019. Forbes highlighted her financial success, noting earnings of $3 million between 2010 and 2011, which increased to $7 million by 2016, securing her the eighth position among top earners. Fast forward to 2021, she led N4M Media’s hottest South African models list. Fans rejoiced when she made a much-anticipated comeback at Victoria’s Secret in 2025 after taking a break for motherhood; her golden wings were unforgettable.

Back in 2018, she ventured into entrepreneurship by launching Tropic of C swimwear. The brand resonated well and received Daily Front Row's Launch of the Year award. Her passion for beach life and sustainable fashion truly shines through this collection.

Family and Life

Candice knows how to speak Afrikaans, English, and Portuguese. She learned Portuguese from her ex-fiancé Hermann Nicoli, a Brazilian model she met in Paris when she was just 17. They got engaged in 2015 and had two sons together: Anacã born in 2016 and Ariel in 2018. Eventually, they parted ways on good terms. As a mom, Candice divides her life between Brazil and New York.

Giving Back

Her heart belongs to Africa. Back in 2015, she began supporting mothers2mothers (m2m) to help HIV-positive mothers create an AIDS-free generation. She collaborated with Mara and Mine on charity jeans and vegan shoes, with sales going to the cause. By 2019, she became a global patron, joining forces with Annie Lennox and Salma Hayek to boost women's health in sub-Saharan Africa.

Candice represents strength, transitioning from working in farm fields to reaching fashion's top heights, showing that grace pairs naturally with purpose.

Image |Credit : Instagram