Alessandra Ambrioso was born in Brazil to small-business-owner parents of Italian and Polish descent.  At eight years of age, she decided she wanted to be a model, inspired by cover girl Karen Mulder.

Self-conscious about her appearance, she underwent plastic surgery at age 11 to pin her ears back.  However, she experienced complications for the two following years and now advises against plastic surgery for cosmetic reasons.

At age 12, Alessandra enrolled in modeling classes and by age 15 was modeling for Dilson Stein.  She won Brazil’s Elite Model Look and her first official job was the cover of the Brazilian Elle magazine.  This led to her doing a Guess campaign with Ana Beatriz Barros, a fellow Brazilian model and best friend.

Alessandra has modeled for Revlon, Christian Dior, Armani, Rolex, Oscar de la Renta, Gucci, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren and the Pirelli Calendar.  Other designers for whom she has graced the runway include Fendi, Nicole Miller, Christian Lacroix and others.  She has appeared on over 50 magazine covers, such as Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, ELLE, GQ, and Glamour.  Tyra Banks has called Alessandra “the future of the modeling world.”

Since 2000, Alessandra has been best known for her work with Victoria’s Secret as the first spokes-model for the PINK line and as one of the Victoria’s Secret Angels.  This recognition has earned her such distinction as People’s “100 Most Beautiful People in the World” in 2007 and number 2 of the “Top 99 Most Desirable Women for 2008” by AskMen.com.

In 2004, Alessandra launched her own line of swimwear, Alessandra Ambrosio by Sais, a division of Rosa Cha.  The line sold 10,000 sets in its first month.  She has also appeared on the television shows Entourage, The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn, Late Night with Conan O’Brien and the Tyra Banks Show.  She has also served as a guest judge on Project Runway Season 2.  She also had a brief role in the James Bond movie, Casino Royale.

Alessandra is currently the face for the UK Company, Next, and stars in their first television campaign in 12 years.  She is also the face of Armani A|X.  Alessandra serves as the National Ambassador for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, as her father was diagnosed in the late 90’s with the disease.