Celebrity News

Gisele Bundchen could become billionaire off lingerie line; Bar Rafaeli takes note

But Bar Rafaeli is soon launching a lingerie line, too. Here she models for Passionata.

But Bar Rafaeli is soon launching a lingerie line, too. Here she models for Passionata. (Splash News)

Gisele Bündchen is on her way to becoming the world’s first billionaire supermodel, thanks in part to her lingerie line, reports say. But apparently, Bar Rafaeli is nipping at her heels.

Bündchen earned a reported $45 million between 2010 and 2011, according to Forbes. And that number doesn’t include the launch of her Gisele Bündchen Brazilian Intimates last May. The line has been a success in Latin America, Portugal, Japan, and Israel — boosting one Brazilian retailer’s turnover by 40 percent — and will soon be available worldwide.

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Bündchen’s earnings helped her and husband Tom Brady clinch the title of Highest Paid Celebrity Couple in 2011, edging out Jay-Z and Beyonce. But while the Daily Mail reports that Bündchen appears on her way to billionaire status, another model of note will be giving her a run for her money.

Bar Rafaeli, ex-girlfriend of Leonardo DiCaprio, has announced a lingerie line, too. The collection will be called Under.me and will be sold online.

“The Under.me philosophy is that underwear should complement your body, not steal the show,” Rafaeli said.”It was appealing to me to do a line of underwear from the fabric I like with the basic, comfy design I always look for, as well as underwear that can actually be delivered to your door.”

But of course, both models are followers here. Elle Macpherson was the first model to earn a fortune off intimate apparel, launching a line in 1990.