5 Highest Paid Models in Africa Right Now

Over the years, several models from Africa have successfully broken the stereotypes of the continent.   

A lot of beautiful women from different cultural roots can be found in Africa. These women have altered the perspective of beauty on the continent.  

The modelling industry has taken its time embracing African beauty. Like all the other roles, this one is highly popular among fans of the platform or the parade scene.

Many models have fortunes in the millions and live very comfortable lives. 

Here are 5 of the highest-paid models in Africa.

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1. Candice Swanepoe

Candice Swanepoel has made a name for herself as one of the most successful and sought-after models of the modern era, with a staggering net worth of about $25 million.

South African-born Candice Susan Swanepoel was born in 1988. Some of the top designers she has collaborated with include, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Chanel, Viktor & Rolf, and Jean Paul Gaultier.

Swanepoel was just 15 years old when she got noticed in modelling. She was living in Durban, a port city in South Africa, at the time.

2. Alek Wek

Alek Wek, a South Sudanese-British model and designer who made her debut in the fashion world at 18 in 1995, is referred to as the “black diamond” of fashion.

She has received accolades for changing how the fashion industry views beauty. She is of Dinka ethnicity, from the South Sudanese Dinka, but moved to Britain in 1991 to avoid the Sudanese civil war. She was named one of the BBC’s 100 Women in 2015.

The London College of Fashion awarded her a degree. A $20 million estimate for her net worth.

3. Liya Kebede

Kebede was raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where she was born. She is of Amhara descent. She learned to speak French fluently at Lycée Guebre-Mariam after being recognised by a French modelling agency while she was a student there.

She relocated to France after completing her education to seek employment with a Parisian agency. Later, Kebede moved to the US, first to Chicago and subsequently to New York City.

She is the first black woman to represent the Chloe brand and serve as Estée Lauder’s spokesperson. Through her eponymous charity, Lisa supports women in underdeveloped nations. Her net worth is reportedly $18 million.

4. Oluchi Onweagba

The young, suburban-born Nigerian has essentially revolutionised fashion. The stunning model appeared in top fashion publications like Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Elle after winning the first African model competition.

In addition, she worked with several other top designers, including Chanel, Bottega Veneta, Christian Dior, Missoni, John Galliano, Gucci, Carolina Herrera, and Tommy Hilfiger. She has a $2 million net worth.

5. Maria Borges

Born in Luanda, Angola, Maria Borges was brought up by her siblings throughout the Angolan Civil War.

She was identified in 2010 after finishing in second place in the Elite Model Look competition in Angola.

With her 1.80 m height, this young woman overcame all restrictions placed on her job. Maria is the first African to appear in an Elle USA issue and the first black model to walk the Victoria’s Secret runway wearing her hair in its natural state. Her has a net worth of about $1.5 million.

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