Victoria's Secret began making women look sexy back in 1977 and by 1995 they had models strutting down in the runway in what would soon become the annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. At the fourth annual Victoria's Secret runway bash, the lingerie brand took a sexy step forward and unveiled the Victoria's Secret Angels. The Angels were to be a group of elite models who would not only walk the runway, but act as official company spokeswomen.
The original Victoria's Secret Angels were: Helena Christensen, Karen Mulder, Daniela Pestova, Stephanie Seymour and Tyra Banks. Current Victoria's Secret Angels include: Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, Behati Prinsloo, Candice Swanepoel, Karlie Kloss, Doutzen Kroes, Erin Heatherton, Lily Aldridge and Lindsay Ellingson.
Over the years countless top models have strutted the Victoria's Secret stage as "runway Angels", but only a few ladies have held the gaze of men around the world and been named official Angels for the lingerie brand. Here's a look back at our favourite Victoria's Secret Angels who have hung up their wings and retired.
Above: Heidi Klum on the Victoria’s Secret runway in 2003 and 2002
Heidi Klum
Angel Contract: 1999–2010
German model Heidi Klum is arguably the most memorable Victoria’s Secret Angel. Heidi was first hired by the lingerie brand in 1997 and held the official title of Angel from 1999 until 2010. She served as host of the biggest fashion show on the planet in 2002, and 2006 through 2009… she also made headlines in 2009 when she walked the runway just five weeks after giving birth to daughter Lou. After 13 years of walking the VS runway Heidi explained in 2010 that “all good things have to come to an end”.
