Top-earning models: Gisele Bundchen, Miranda Kerr, Adriana Lima - Los Angeles Times
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Top-earning models: Gisele Bundchen, Miranda Kerr, Adriana Lima

Gisele Bundchen, from left, Miranda Kerr and Adriana Lima are, in order, the three top-earning models as calculated by Forbes.
(Larry Busacca / Getty Images; Ken Ishii / Getty Images; Busacca)
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Holy feathers and lingerie! Most of this year’s highest-paid models happened to work for Victoria’s Secret. Six of the 10 top earners either have Angel contracts with the brand or have appeared in the company’s annual, scantily clad fashion show.

So, basically, it pays to be pretty -- and nearly naked.

According to the Forbes’ annual list released this week, supermodel Gisele Bundchen was the highest-earning model of 2013, making a whopping $42 million from various contracts and ad campaigns. The Brazilian wife of NFL star Tom Brady has topped the list for her seventh consecutive year and brings home more dough than her quarterback husband, who makes a mere $38.3 million a year.

PHOTOS: Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2012

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The 33-year-old mother of two makes her money through endorsements and an ownership stake in the Brazilian footwear company Grendane. The former Angel’s eco-friendly cosmetics company Sejaa also earns her a pretty penny, as do ad campaigns for Pantene, Oral-B and Sky HDTV, according to the mag.

Behind Bundchen, dropping into single digits, is Aussie supermodel Miranda Kerr. The 30-year-old wife of actor Orlando Bloom made a cool $7.2 million. The Victoria’s Secret Angel has contracts with Australia’s Qantas airline, David Jones and fast-fashion retailer Mango, Lipton Tea and P&G detergent. She also has her own skin-care line, Kora Cosmetics.

Coming in third is Brazilian beauty Adriana Lima, who still models for Victoria’s Secret and is its longest-tenured Angel (she’s been contracted since 2000). Apparently the gig pays off more in international recognition rather than actual cash, the mag said.

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Lima, 32, earned $6 million during the period in which Forbes estimates earnings, June 2012 to June 2013. That’s a $1.3 million drop from last year, when she made $7.3 million. However, she still moved up from fourth to third on the list.

Other standouts include the petite Kate Moss, who at 39 is the oldest model on the list and locked in $5.7 million this year. She came in at No. 4 and is said to have the longest career of all the women in the top 10.

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Here’s the full list:

1. Gisele Bundchen, $42 million
2. Miranda Kerr, $7.2 million
3. Adriana Lima, $6 million
4. Kate Moss, $5.7 million
5. Liu Wen, $4.3 million|
6. Hilary Rhoda, $4 million
7. Carolyn Murphy, $3.6
8. Joan Smalls, $3.5 million
9. Candice Swanepoel, $3.3 million
10. Lara Stone, $3.2 million

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Follow Ministry of Gossip @LATcelebs.

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