Her face defined an era of fashion. Doutzen Kroes carved her name into history not with hype, but with consistent work across runways and major campaigns for two decades.
She grew up far from the spotlight in a small Frisian village. Her parents were champion speed skaters, and she first dreamed of sports, not modeling.
That athletic discipline fueled her rise. From sending snapshots to an agency in 2003, she became one of the world’s highest-paid models. She held the coveted Victoria’s Secret Angel title for six years.
Her career included a long-term partnership with L’Oréal Paris. But her story extends beyond contracts and magazine covers.
She became a mother, shifted her priorities, and eventually stepped away from what she called “the high-speed train.” This profile examines the full arc of the supermodel’s life, the pressures she navigated, and the authentic living she champions now.
Exploring the Life and Career of a Supermodel
Her journey to the runways of New York began not with ambition, but with a simple set of snapshots sent to an agency. This marked the start of a career defined by rapid ascent and remarkable achievements.
Early Life and Modeling Beginnings
Doutzen Kroes grew up in Eastermar, a Frisian village. Her parents were both champion speed skaters. Their discipline shaped her long before she entered the world of modeling.
She described herself as a tomboy with dreams of sports. Modeling was not a serious consideration. In 2003, she sent photos to an Amsterdam agency on a whim.
The agency’s response was immediate. They quickly sent her to New York. There, she was cast by Victoria’s Secret, launching her career.
Breakthrough Moments and Notable Achievements
Recognition came swiftly. In 2005, Vogue.com readers voted her “Model of The Year.” This signaled her broad appeal beyond the industry.
Her face graced the May 2007 cover of Vogue. She was featured as one of the “World’s Next Top Models.” That same summer, Forbes listed her among the top-earning models, with earnings of $1.5 million.
Her income skyrocketed to $6 million by 2008. She maintained this earning power for years. Kroes made history in 2013 by appearing on four international Vogue covers in one month.
She walked for Prada and became a fixture at Milan and New York Fashion Week. Her resume balanced commercial success with high editorial credibility.
Inside the World of Fashion and Runway Glamour
The official confirmation came in August 2008. People magazine announced Kroes as the newest Victoria’s Secret Angel. This title placed her at the commercial peak of the modeling world.
Her first campaign as an Angel was “Supermodel Obsessions.” It positioned her among the brand’s most recognized faces. The annual fashion show became her signature stage.
Victoria’s Secret Journey and Red Carpet Appearances
She walked in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show nearly every year from 2005 through 2014. Millions watched the televised events. The shows blended music, performance, and high-concept lingerie.
This work brought immense visibility and a unique kind of fame. After seven years, she ended her Angel contract in 2014. The decision signaled a shift in her personal priorities.
Behind the Scenes at Fashion Weeks and Iconic Shows
Her runway presence extended far beyond one brand. In 2010, she walked for Prada during Milan Fashion Week. She appeared alongside fellow Angels Alessandra Ambrosio and Miranda Kerr.
Media praised the casting of models with fuller figures. It challenged the industry’s thinner standards at the time. She became a fixture at major fashion weeks in New York, Milan, and Paris.
Her legacy as a Victoria’s Secret Angel remains significant. She was the second Dutch model to hold the title. Her years with the brand coincided with its peak cultural influence.
Navigating Body Image, Health, and Industry Challenges
Behind the glamour of the runway, a constant negotiation with body image defined the daily reality for many models. The supermodel spoke with striking honesty about these pressures, rejecting common myths.
She compared the discipline needed to an Olympic athlete’s training. This work was her job. It demanded daily gym sessions and careful eating.
The Pressures of Beauty Standards and Personal Health
In an interview with STUFF magazine, she dismissed the idea that models eat anything without consequence. She called this portrayal dishonest. It ignored the real sacrifices required to meet the industry’s narrow standards.
She reached a point where she had to assert a basic human need to her agent. “I can’t not eat, because I get hungry!” This moment highlighted the absurd expectations some people in the modeling world held.
Kroes also participated in a major forum on health and beauty awareness. She joined figures like Arianna Huffington to discuss the media’s impact. She acknowledged that every woman deals with body doubts.
She revealed she was often told to lose weight. The perfect, retouched images from photoshoots created a struggle. They did not match the person she saw in the mirror.
Her empowerment came from acceptance. She decided her best was enough. This was a powerful statement in a business focused on impossible ideals.
She expressed concern for young girls entering the industry without support. They might feel unable to say no to harmful requests. This highlighted the need for awareness and protection for vulnerable newcomers.
Personal Insights: Balancing Family, Fame, and Authenticity
Her garden became more than just plants; it transformed into a living memorial of loved ones. This shift from global runways to domestic life marked a profound personal evolution for the supermodel.
Lessons from Motherhood and Family Commitments
Motherhood reshaped her entire perspective. She married Dutch DJ Sunnery James Gorré in 2010, returning to her hometown for the ceremony. Their two children became her central focus.
She made intentional choices about parenting. Instead of praising appearance, she emphasized intelligence to her daughter. “I’ll say, ‘You’re smart,’ so she’ll have different aspirations,” she explained in a 2014 interview.
This approach countered industry pressures she’d experienced. She wanted her children to know worth isn’t tied to looks. They could aspire to become presidents, not just models.
| Year | Family Milestone | Location | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Began relationship with Sunnery James Gorré | Netherlands | Start of lasting partnership |
| 2010 | Marriage ceremony | Eastermar (hometown) | Personal life grounded in roots |
| 2011-2014 | Birth of two children | Amsterdam | Transition to motherhood focus |
| Recent | Father’s passing, garden memorial | Home garden | Living memory through nature |
Her father’s recent passing deepened this connection to family. The wild yellow roses he gifted mark the gateway to her vegetable garden. Plants from loved ones create living memories of the people who shaped her life.
Doutzen Kroes: Redefining Success Through Nature and Authentic Living
A simple garden center visit during fashion week revealed a profound shift in priorities. While New York Fashion Week filled social media feeds, Kroes found herself buying herbs with her mother-in-law in the Netherlands. This ordinary moment became a mirror for her growth.
Gardening as a Source of Creativity and Healing
She discovered a new kind of power in gardening. Placing her hands in soil and feeling the life beneath her fueled creativity. This connection to nature shifted her entire perspective on the world.
During the pandemic, she imagined leaving a high-speed train of constant work. When she stepped off, nothing catastrophic happened. She realized she had feared an identity loss without her modeling job.
Transitioning from High-Speed Runways to a Grounded Lifestyle
Cooking homegrown chard for her family created full-circle moments of pure love. These simple things felt more meaningful than runway glamour. She reclaimed power she had given away to industry demands.
What she once feared missing no longer held weight. Contentment came from authentic living and time with loved people. Success became internal rather than external validation.
| Aspect of Life | Previous Modeling Career | Current Grounded Lifestyle | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Routine | Global travel, photoshoots, shows | Gardening, family time, home cooking | External validation to internal fulfillment |
| Source of Creativity | Fashion concepts, styling teams | Nature, soil, growing things | Industry-driven to self-generated |
| Measure of Success | Contracts, covers, visibility | Family moments, personal growth | Public achievement to private contentment |
| Relationship with Time | Rushed schedules, deadlines | Seasonal rhythms, present moments | High-pressure to natural pace |
This transition represents a complete redefinition of what matters. The supermodel found that true success comes from connection rather than achievement. Her life today reflects this deeper understanding.
Embracing the Future with Inspiration and Resilience
Navigating a life in the spotlight means every action, from charity work to public statements, becomes part of the story. Doutzen Kroes used her platform for years to support causes like Dance4Life and promote her native Frisian language.
During the pandemic, her public stance shifted. She spread vaccine misinformation, facing sharp criticism. This was especially contentious when she applied for government relief despite her substantial wealth.
These events complicated her public image. They raised questions about the responsibilities that come with influence.
Today, her focus is on her role as a mother. She finds joy in her garden and teaches her children that everyone develops at their own pace, just like trees in nature.
Her life remains a study in contrasts. It blends a celebrated modeling career with a quest for private authenticity, all while navigating the consequences of a powerful voice.
