Her story starts far from the spotlight. Prinsloo was born in Grootfontein, Namibia, a small town under South African jurisdiction at the time. She grew up in a world of quiet simplicity, the daughter of a church minister.
A chance discovery led her to modeling. Her career took a defining turn when she became a Victoria’s Secret Angel in 2009. This title marked a shift from just walking runways to representing a global brand.
Behati Prinsloo built her reputation on consistency and grace. She opened major fashion shows, a rare honor that highlights a model’s reliability. Today, she balances a successful career with family life, proving that authentic presence lasts.
Early Life and Breakthrough
Her journey into modeling began with an unexpected encounter that would redirect her life’s path. The ordinary moment outside a Cape Town grocery store became the turning point.
Childhood in Grootfontein and Cultural Roots
Grootfontein offered a quiet, grounded upbringing far from fashion’s fast pace. As an only child, she grew up in a minister’s household where Afrikaans was the first language.
Her mother ran a small bed and breakfast while her father led the local church. This environment fostered a simplicity that would later become her professional strength.
She learned English through school and everyday interactions. After ninth grade, she left formal education when modeling called.
Discovery in Cape Town and First Modeling Steps
The discovery happened during a family vacation. A man approached her after church service and handed her a phone number on paper.
This led to Sarah Doukas of Storm Models in London, the same scout who discovered Kate Moss. Suddenly, the girl from Namibia had a pathway into fashion.
Behati Prinsloo made her runway debut as an exclusive for Prada and Miu Miu. She walked shows in Milan and Paris while most teenagers were still in school.
The industry noticed her immediately. Her early success came from translating small-town confidence into runway presence.
Modeling Career Highlights
Her career trajectory is a masterclass in strategic collaboration, not a single flash of fame. Behati Prinsloo built her status through a portfolio of work with the industry’s most respected names.
Debut Campaigns and Runway Debuts
Following her exclusive Prada debut, she landed her first major ad campaign. Juergen Teller photographed her for Marc by Marc Jacobs, capturing a raw aesthetic.
Soon, lenses like Mario Testino’s for British Vogue and David Sims’s for W Magazine sought her out. Her runway presence extended to defining shows for houses like:
- Alexander Wang
- Louis Vuitton
- Versace
Agency Affiliations and Global Fashion Collaborations
This global demand is reflected in her agency roster: Elite in New York, Women in Paris and Milan, and Storm in London. Her face graced international Vogue and Elle covers.
Ad campaigns for Tommy Hilfiger, Nina Ricci, and Pepe Jeans showcased her versatility. Each collaboration reinforced her reliability without diluting her distinct presence.
Iconic Moments with Victoria’s Secret
In 2008, she became a Victoria’s Secret Pink contract model. A year later, she earned her wings as a Victoria’s Secret Angel.
Behati Prinsloo walked in 12 of their famed fashion shows. She opened consecutive shows in 2014 and 2015, a honor signaling ultimate brand trust.
She also designed a “Behati Loves Pink” swimwear line and later collections for THVM and Juicy Couture.
Behati Prinsloo: Icon of Victoria’s Secret and Fashion Moments
Beyond the catwalk, her presence extended into television cameos and chart-topping music videos. These appearances revealed a versatility that went deeper than runway walks.
Defining Fashion Shows and Signature Appearances
Behati Prinsloo walked in twelve Victoria’s Secret Fashion Shows between 2007 and 2025. Opening consecutive shows in 2014 and 2015 signaled ultimate brand trust.
She crossed into television with a Hawaii Five-0 guest spot in 2012. Playing herself alongside fellow models felt authentic. In 2021, she returned to the runway for Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty show.
This demonstrated her lasting appeal and command of the spotlight.
Music Videos and Brand Endorsements
Her most visible music video work came through Maroon 5. She appeared in multiple videos including “Animals” and “Girls Like You.”
These weren’t simple cameos. Each video captured intimate, cinematic moments from her life. Audiences saw her as someone living a story.
She also appeared in Taylor Swift’s 2015 concert film. A cameo in the comedy Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping showed range. Campaign photos reveal a model who understood angles and energy instinctively.
Personal Life and Family Journey
The same year she opened major fashion shows, a new chapter started with an email introduction. This digital hello from a mutual friend connected the model with Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine.
Relationship with Adam Levine and Marriage Story
She did not get the music video part, but the professional talk turned personal. They fell in love through emails before meeting face-to-face.
Their first meeting in Los Angeles was memorably awkward. Levine wore boxing gloves. Yet, a long dinner confirmed a powerful connection.
The couple married in July 2014 at Flora Farms in Cabo San Lucas. The intimate ceremony reflected their preference for privacy over spectacle.
Motherhood, Kids, and Balancing Career & Family
Family life grew quickly for the husband and wife. They welcomed three children, blending their personal and professional worlds seamlessly.
| Child’s Name | Birth Date | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Dusty Rose | September 21, 2016 | First Daughter |
| Gio Grace | February 15, 2018 | Second Daughter |
| Son | January 30, 2023 | Name kept private |
Their kids have even appeared in Maroon 5 videos. These moments feel genuine, not staged.
In July 2021, the pair launched Calirosa Tequila. This business venture became a shared creative project.
Behati Prinsloo reveals that balancing motherhood and career requires intention. She aims to be a present mom and a passionate professional, setting an example for her children.
Reflections and Looking Ahead
Her return to the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in 2024 and 2025 was less a comeback and more a statement of enduring presence. Backstage, Behati Prinsloo reflected on feeling a new level of confidence. “One year older, one year wiser,” she noted, a perspective earned from experience.
Yet, even a veteran model feels pressure. She admitted to waking at 1:30 a.m., her mind racing from kids’ schedules to runway fears. This balance defines her career now.
Her family provides the essential anchor. She emphasizes that modeling is a job, not an identity. This grounding extends to her charitable work, supporting causes from Haiti to protecting rhinos in her native Namibia.
Looking forward, this model’s path is about selective work and authentic living. Her longevity comes from knowing what truly matters beyond the camera’s flash.
