Alessandra Ambrosio was born on April 11, 1981 in the small southern Brazilian town of Erechim.

As a child, Alessandra felt awkward about her looks and most particularly about her large, protruding ears. That prompted her to undergo at age 11 corrective surgery to have them pushed back.

In her young teens, she took up modeling classes and subsequently entered in the Elite modeling agency's 1996 Look of the Year competition. Even though she did not win, she did manage to get a contract with the agency.

Her first modeling job was for the cover of the Brazilian edition of Marie Claire. Additional editorial work followed, but not long after that she would hit the big league. And soon afterwards, Marcianos at Guess jeans chose Ambrosio for the jeans company's fall Millennium 2000.

Being a Guess? Girl launched for the Brazilian beauty other lucrative contracts with Revlon and Victoria's Secret, just as it had done for some of her predecessors such as Latetia Casta and Claudia Schiffer. And just like Casta, Ambrosio would be later signed as a spokesmodel for Victoria Secrets (the 2004 Pink line).

She also clinched a lucrative deal with Next (UK), Next, Gap and the clothing retailer LERNER. A notable moment came for the Brazilian beauty when she caused a stir at the Victoria's Secrets Fashion Show 2005, when she took the runway wearing a pair of angel wings and a bra and panties made entirely of candy.

Alessandro Ambrosio has also appeared on the covers of Elle, Cosmopolitan, DS, Wall Paper, Ocean Drive and Victoria's Secrets catalogues.

FACTS & STATS
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
Weight: 123 lbs (56 kg)
Measurements: 34-24-34 (US); 86-61-86 (EU)
Dress Size: 2 (US); 38 (EU)
Shoe Size: 9 (US); 40 (EU)
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Light brown
Ethnicity: Italian/Polish
Nationality: Brazilian
Representation: Marilyn
Favorite workout/sport: Surfing, roller blading