‘So much has changed’: See Gisele strike a pose back in 1999
Memories, Gisele Bundchen has a few — amazing ones.
The local supermodel graces the cover W’s latest issue, a gig she secured 27 years ago as a fresh-faced teenager.
In the accompanying article, on newsstands now, Bundchen says “so much has changed” since January 1999.
Inside the pages of the glossy time capsule was an interview with Melanie Griffith, who was then starring in “Crazy in Alabama,” directed by her ex husband Antonio Banderas.
As for Bundchen, 46, she admits she was flabbergasted to be fronting the style bible at such a tender age in a foreign country.
“It was a mix of excitement, gratitude, and disbelief,” says the mother of three in the new issue. “I was still very young, far from home, and learning how the fashion world worked ... it was one of those moments when I realized that maybe all the sacrifices, traveling, and uncertainty were leading somewhere.”
The still-green catwalker (who also landed Vogue that year) was correct in her assessment that life was about to change drastically. Bundchen soon began dating Leonardo DiCaprio, still basking in his heartthrob “Titanic” status, and clinching major deals such as a $25 million contract with Victoria’s Secret. By 2002, Bundchen was recognized as the world’s top-paid model, a spot she held for 15 years.
Bundchen remains humble about her journey and believes that’s partially why her career was able to reach such heights.
“I always believed the important thing was to stay grounded, work hard, and treat people with kindness, no matter what was happening professionally,” said the “Nourish” author who divorced Tom Brady in 2022 and remarried last year.
As for her first cover in 19 years with W (her 15th in total for the pub), the “Devil Wears Prada” actress still counts her blessings.
“I feel lucky because I can pick and choose what I do, and I work only with people I genuinely enjoy being around,” she said. “When I was younger, I was often asking myself, Am I doing enough? Am I getting it right? After more than 30 years in front of the camera, I’ve come to really understand everything that goes into creating an image. I also understand that every image creates a feeling, and when you are confident and accepting of yourself, everything flows naturally.”
