Before she was one of the world’s highest-paid and most recognizable supermodels, Gisele Bündchen faced a reality that didn’t align with glossy runways or magazine covers — she was bullied for her appearance. In a candid 2016 interview with The New York Times , Bündchen revealed that her career was not built on conventional beauty but on resilience, energy, and unshakable drive.
Gisele Bündchen spoke openly about her early struggles and childhood insecurities
Years before she ruled the fashion world, Bündchen was a tall, athletic girl from Brazil, often teased by classmates for being skinny, red-faced from volleyball, and having a “big nose.” The model recalled, “My career was never based on pretty. Even before I got into the business, I was used to being bullied because I was always tall and skinny and stuck out.” For Bündchen, bullying became a formative experience — one that shaped her character and drive more than any runway ever could.
Her story is far from the fairy tale many imagine. Even after entering the modeling world, she was told her eyes were too small, her nose too big, and that she’d never land on a magazine cover. “But, you know what? The big nose is coming with a big personality,” she quipped. That personality and work ethic would eventually silence critics and turn her into an icon.
Success didn’t come from beauty alone — it came from drive, discipline, and determination
Bündchen’s success wasn’t accidental. Leaving home at just 14, she was determined to make something of herself — a mindset she credits to her upbringing in a large family of six girls. “I’m a twin, I’m a Cancer, I’m always taking care of other people. I’ve always been the fixer in the family, the responsible one,” she shared. Her discipline was unmatched: “Never late for a job in my life. Really, ask anyone.”
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Her big break came when legendary fashion photographer Patrick Demarchelier cast her for Harper’s Bazaar. Despite skepticism from others on set, Demarchelier remembered her spark clearly: “She was smart and outgoing, always happy... Immediately, right away, you could see that the girl was special.”
Also Read: “Stereotypically selfish”: Tom Brady’s fans call out Gisele Bündchen’s ‘victim act’—did her Vanity Fair interview cross the line?
Looking back, Gisele Bündchen’s rise wasn't about fitting in — it was about standing out. Her throwback story remains a powerful reminder that success is often born not from perfection, but from perseverance, personality, and proving the doubters wrong.
Gisele Bündchen spoke openly about her early struggles and childhood insecurities
Years before she ruled the fashion world, Bündchen was a tall, athletic girl from Brazil, often teased by classmates for being skinny, red-faced from volleyball, and having a “big nose.” The model recalled, “My career was never based on pretty. Even before I got into the business, I was used to being bullied because I was always tall and skinny and stuck out.” For Bündchen, bullying became a formative experience — one that shaped her character and drive more than any runway ever could.
Gisele Bündchen was "used to being bullied" before she became a supermodel: https://t.co/rBxCe1nrsF pic.twitter.com/qnY77OPL2q
— E! News (@enews) May 15, 2016
Her story is far from the fairy tale many imagine. Even after entering the modeling world, she was told her eyes were too small, her nose too big, and that she’d never land on a magazine cover. “But, you know what? The big nose is coming with a big personality,” she quipped. That personality and work ethic would eventually silence critics and turn her into an icon.
Success didn’t come from beauty alone — it came from drive, discipline, and determination
Bündchen’s success wasn’t accidental. Leaving home at just 14, she was determined to make something of herself — a mindset she credits to her upbringing in a large family of six girls. “I’m a twin, I’m a Cancer, I’m always taking care of other people. I’ve always been the fixer in the family, the responsible one,” she shared. Her discipline was unmatched: “Never late for a job in my life. Really, ask anyone.”
null
Her big break came when legendary fashion photographer Patrick Demarchelier cast her for Harper’s Bazaar. Despite skepticism from others on set, Demarchelier remembered her spark clearly: “She was smart and outgoing, always happy... Immediately, right away, you could see that the girl was special.”
Also Read: “Stereotypically selfish”: Tom Brady’s fans call out Gisele Bündchen’s ‘victim act’—did her Vanity Fair interview cross the line?
Looking back, Gisele Bündchen’s rise wasn't about fitting in — it was about standing out. Her throwback story remains a powerful reminder that success is often born not from perfection, but from perseverance, personality, and proving the doubters wrong.
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