Forbes has just released its annual ranking of the World’s Highest-Paid Models. And just like last year, or the year before that, or the year before that, or any of the three other years before that, the highest paid model this year also is Brazil’s 33-year old supermodel Gisele Bundchen. Besides modelling contracts with global brands like Pantene, Chanel, Oral-B, Sky HDTV and H&M, the enterprising model also ended up netting quite a fortune via her partnership with Brazilian footwear giant Grendene and via Sejaa, her eco-friendly cosmetic line.

As per Forbes, Gisele earned around $42 million over the past year. To put that slightly into context, one should know that this fortune of hers makes her the breadwinner for her family. Why? Because her husband, NFL star Tom Brady, managed to make a mere $38.3 million over that same period. Also, her $42 million earnings are heads and shoulders above the earnings of the highest paid actress last year, Angelina Jolie, who managed to earn a “measly” $33 million. That really is a pot of gold there that Gisele is sitting on!

Rounding off the top three are fellow Victoria’s Secret Angels, Miranda Kerr and Adriana Lima. 30-year old Australian national and Hollywood heartthrob Orlando Blooms’ current squeeze, Kerr managed to earn $7.2 million over the last year, mainly though lucrative tie-ups and campaigns with Australian carrier Quantas, fashion retailer Mango, Lipton Tea, P&G detergent, and her own line of skincare products, Kora.

Lima, 32, raked in $6 million, mainly through her contract with the ultra famous lingerie retailer. Lima happens to be Secret’s highest paid Angel and the most senior one too. She has been actively contracted with the lingerie maker since the year 2000. Even though she saw her earnings decline from $7.3 million this time last year, the Brazilian model was able to hang on to her spot in the top three.

Overall, it was a good time to be an Angel. Six of the top ten were either Victoria’s Secret Angels at some point in their careers, or are actively walking the ramp for the purveyor of skimpy underwear. However, Forbes argues that the lingerie giant ends up paying more in international recognition than in actual hard cash. A case can certainly be made, then, for having other lucrative tie-ups to boost one’s income, much like what Bundchen has managed to do.

39-year old Brit stunner Kate Moss was the standout, though, at number four in the list. Even after all these years, she managed to draw in $5.7 million. It is fabled that of all the models within the top ten on the list, she has had the longest career.

In what can be taken to be a damning reflection on the current crop of models coming through, the top four highest paid models happen to be celebrity mothers too, proving rather decisively that the demand for well rounded, well fed and curvy models will never really die down. The current crop of models, criticized mainly for fitting into the excessively skinny, size-zero template, could surely learn a thing or two from these power-packed moms!