Heidi Klum, top model at 49: her career, private life and wealth

Heidi Klum turns 49 today. Ever since she participated in a German model casting show in 1992, the European beauty has had a steep career uphill.

How did the German model actually begin her career? And what is her net worth today?

It was 1992 and this famous German presenter, Thomas Gottschalk, hosted a 'German top model' segment in his talkshow 'Gottschalk Late Night.'

A young Heidi Klum (18 years old) entered into the competition from the magazine Petra and a model agency. The popular segment, 'Model '92,' launched the girl into fame. In fact, Thomas Gottschalk is considered the discoverer of the supermodel.

With a prize of $300,000 from the competition and a three-year modelling contract, the 18-year-old Heidi went to the United States after she graduated from high school.

The German model walked the runway as a Victoria's Secret Angel for the first time in 1997 and was then booked for the event year after year.

In 1998, Heidi Klum appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated's bikini issue. That was her absolute breakthrough. Vogue and Elle would soon follow.

The fashion icon was initially managed by her father, pictured right. By now, they have separated their personal affairs, however, and reportedly there is a private rift between the two as well.

The model's first husband was Ric Pipino, an Australian celebrity hairstylist who has lots of contacts in the fashion world. Among larger audiences, he is known for his appearance in the movie 'Zoolander.' Klum and Pipino married in 1997 and divorced in 2002.

After Klum went through her first divorce, she entered into a relationship with Formula 1 manager Flavio Briatore. He would father first child, Leni Klum, in 2004, although they never had much contact.

In 2005, Klum married musician and singer Seal. With him she has two sons, Henry and Jordan, and a daughter, Lou.

Aside from his own children, Seal adopted Heidi's daughter Leni. They have a wonderful father-daughter relationship. In fact, Seal met Heidi Klum when she was still pregnant with Leni.

The British musician and his daughter attended the special screening of Netflix's 'The Harder They Fall' (2021) together. Seal had written the music for the film and Leni was his 'date' for the red carpet. Seal told the press he was very proud of his daughter.

By 2012, Seal and Heidi Klum had separated and divorced, however. The supermodel would have several relationships after that, but she ended up with another musician: Tom Kaulitz from the band Tokio Hotel. They got together in 2018 and married in 2019.

Apart from 'Germany's Next Topmodel' (since 2006), Heidi Klum has also been on the jury of 'America's Got Talent' since 2013. In addition, she hosts the German television show 'Queen of Drags' which searches for the best drag queen in Europe.

According to Cosmopolitan, Leni Klum will take over her mother's modelling competition for the next three years. She's already appeared on the show as a member of the jury in 2022. And that with barely 18 years of age!

With all these activities in different countries, Heidi Klum must have a handsome amount written on her bank statement. In fact, the model's estimated net worth is 130 million euros ($140 million).