Sports Illustrated Babe

Background:

“Everybody sunbathes topless here in Brazil. Americans are shy about the body. I have to remember that when I go there.” Ana Beatriz Barros

Ana Beatriz Barros has made a name for herself as one of the top Brazillian models in the world since becoming the Brazilian Elite Look of the year (1996). Managed by Elite Model Management in Paris and Brazil, and IMG in New York, she is famous for her recurrent appearances in Victoria's Secret and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. One of FHM magazine's “100 Sexiest Women in the World 2006,” Barros has worked for high profile fashion labels like GUESS?, Gucci, Versace, Christian Dior, DKNY, and Valentino, and has been on the cover of popular magazines such as Vogue, Marie Claire, Glamour, and Allure.

Barros is currently a resident of New York. She owns two tattoos, and has measurements 33-24-35 (US); 83-60-89 (EU). In her free time, she enjoys going to movies, hanging out with her friends, swimming, reading and playing volley ball. Additionally, she loves listening to music, specially Lenny Kravitz. Barros is the best friend of fellow Brazilian model Alessandra Ambrosio. She said, “My best friend in the entire world is Alessandra Ambrosio. I am sure you know who Ale is! Our friendship is not for show, we are true! She is like my third sister, my irma!“

“My personal life is not something I discuss. I know it is in the news as of late, but it is not my style to discuss such personal things!.” Ana Beatriz Barros

As for her romantic life, Barros had a long-running relationship with art gallery owner Helly Nahmad. She also was once linked to British model James Rousseau.

From Rio to NYC

Childhood and Family:

Ana Beatriz Barros was born on May 29, 1982, in Itabira, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Her father, Reinato Barros, is a mechanic engineer, and her mother, Sônia, is a homemaker. She has two older sisters, Patricia (Pat), who is also a famous model, and Maria Luisa (Malu). A small town girl, Ana and her family later relocated to the cosmopolitan Rio de Janeiro, where she was raised until age 14. The Barros then moved to New York City.

Guess Girl

Career:

Ana Beatriz Barros was spotted by the Director of Elite Model Management who was vacationing in Brazil. Following his encouragement, she entered the 1996 Brazilian Elite Model Look of the Year contest and ended up being the winner of the competition. Subsequently, she competed for international Elite Model Look and placed second worldwide.

After the win, Elite sent her impressive portfolio and recent Polaroid shots to GUESS?, which soon attracted the attention of the co-chairman and co-CEO Paul Marciano. Barros was recruited to do the Millennium GUESS? campaign along with her friend and fellow Brazilian model Alessandra Ambrosio.

A series of advertisements followed after Barros became a Guess Girl. She worked for Victoria's Secret, Christian Dior, Oakley, L'Oreal, Naf Naf, Ermanno Scervino, Armani Jeans, and Diesel, to name a few. She also appeared in international campaigns for Onyx, Chanel cosmetics and Head & Shoulders. Once Barros did a campaign for Jennifer Lopez's JLO fashion line, the beautiful model was again selected to be the new face of Lopez's new lingerie line, JLO Lingerie, in 2004. Lopez stated, “I wanted someone young, sexy and urban, with a universal appeal.”

Barros has graced the covers of numerous publications like Vogue, Glamour, Allure, Marie Claire, Capricho (Brazil), Elle (Brazil), Audi (Brazil), Woman (Spain), and Nova and 20 Ans (France). She has appeared seven times on the high profile Sports Illustrated in the Swimsuit Issue (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008).

Also a favorite runway model, Barros has strutted down the catwalks for top designers such as Valentino, Gucci, Christian Dior, Missoni, Michael Kors, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Versace, Christian Lacroix, Emporio Armani, BCBG, DKNY, Paco Rabbane , Dolce & Gabbana, Lolita Lempicka, and Elie Saab, among others. She was in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2008.

Awards:
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