Karolína Kurková

Karolína Kurková is a Czech model best known for her work as a Victoria's Secret Angel and Vogue cover star. Born on February 28, 1984, in Pardubice, Czechoslovakia, she is the daughter of Czech basketball player Josef Kurka and a Slovak mother. After a friend sent her photographs to a modeling agency in Prague when she was 15 years old, she landed her first runway appearance and commercial advertising gigs. She subsequently traveled to Milan, where she signed a modeling contract with Miuccia Prada, before relocating to New York City at age 17.

Kurková's international fashion career expanded rapidly following her initial appearances in American Vogue, leading to her first American Vogue cover in February 2001. Over her career, she has appeared on more than 51 Vogue magazine covers internationally, including the first cover of Vogue Czechoslovakia in September 2018, as well as covers for Elle, Vanity Fair, and The Face. She has represented major fashion houses in print campaigns and runway shows, including Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Tommy Hilfiger, Louis Vuitton, Versace, Christian Dior, and Prada.

As a high-profile runway model, Kurková participated extensively in Victoria's Secret Fashion Shows after appearing in their 2000 webcast. She was officially contracted as a Victoria's Secret Angel in 2005 and was chosen to wear the brand's Fantasy Bra in both 2002 and 2006. Her catwalk appearances became notable for several publicized moments, such as continuing a runway walk after losing a shoe during a 2006 Victoria's Secret segment, and managing a gown entanglement during an Etam presentation in 2011.

Throughout her career, Kurková achieved substantial industry recognition. In 2002, she was named Model of the Year at the VH1/Vogue Fashion Awards, becoming the youngest model to win the award. She was listed 6th on Forbes' annual list of the world's highest-earning models in 2007, with estimated earnings of $5 million. Her accolades include receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2007, a humanitarian award from Women Together in 2006, Style Icon at the 2012 Vienna Awards for Fashion and Lifestyle, and a GALA Spa Award for Beauty Idol.

Beyond modeling, Kurková expanded into acting and television projects. She made her feature film debut in the 2007 dramedy My Sexiest Year and portrayed Courtney A. Kreiger in the 2009 action film G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra. Her television credits include guest roles on series such as Chuck, 30 Rock, and Person of Interest, alongside judge and coaching roles on reality modeling competitions including America's Next Top Model, Germany's Next Top Model, Das perfekte Model, and The Face.

In her business ventures, Kurková collaborated with pediatricians and healthcare providers to establish Gryph and IvyRose, a herbal care product line for children, and launched her own fragrance line in 2013. She married Archie Drury, with whom she has three children born in 2009, 2015, and 2021. Kurková holds American citizenship and resides in Miami, Florida.