Heidi Klum is 53 years old, born on June 1, 1973, in Bergisch Gladbach, West Germany. One of the most recognizable supermodels in the world, she rose to fame as the first German Victoria's Secret Angel and the cover star of the 1998 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue before reinventing herself as one of television's most successful reality hosts and judges. From Project Runway and Germany's Next Topmodel to America's Got Talent, Heidi Klum has built a career spanning more than three decades across modeling, television, and business.
Quick Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Heidi Klum (legally Heidi Kaulitz since her 2019 marriage) |
| Born | June 1, 1973 |
| Age | 53 |
| Birthplace | Bergisch Gladbach, West Germany |
| Occupation | Supermodel, Television Host, Producer, Businesswoman |
| Nationality | German-American (dual citizen) |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) |
| Spouse/Partner | Tom Kaulitz (married 2019–present) |
| Children | 4 (Leni, Henry, Johan, Lou) |
| Estimated Net Worth | $160 million |
Early Life and Career
Heidi Klum was born in Bergisch Gladbach, a town near Cologne in what was then West Germany, to Erna Klum, a hairdresser, and Günther Klum, a cosmetics company executive. She grew up in a middle-class household and was enrolled in a fashion design program as a teenager — but a friend's suggestion changed the course of her life. In 1992, at age 19, she entered the German "Model 92" competition, beating roughly 25,000 contestants and winning a modeling contract reportedly worth $300,000 with Metropolitan Models in New York.
She dropped out of fashion school and moved to the United States to pursue modeling full time. Throughout the 1990s, Klum built an impressive editorial career, appearing on the covers of Vogue, Elle, Harper's Bazaar, Marie Claire, and Glamour. Her true breakthrough came in 1998, when she landed the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue — a cover that turned her into an international star almost overnight.
In 1999, Klum became a Victoria's Secret Angel, the first German model to achieve that status. She would remain one of the brand's most prominent faces for over a decade, walking its famous runway shows and fronting major campaigns. Forbes ranked her second on its list of the World's Top-Earning Models, noting her transition from runway star to businesswoman. By then she was already laying the foundation for a second act: television.
Klum became the host and executive producer of Project Runway in 2004, a role that earned her an Emmy Award in 2013 for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program (shared with Tim Gunn), plus multiple additional nominations. She hosted the show until 2017, then made a celebrated return when Project Runway was revived — she currently hosts and judges the show, which has been renewed for further seasons, including a 2026 run. Since 2006 she has also hosted and executive-produced Germany's Next Topmodel, one of the longest-running modeling competitions in the world.
Her judging career extended to NBC's America's Got Talent, where she served as a judge across two stints: 2013–2018 and 2020–2024, a total of 11 nonconsecutive seasons. She stepped away ahead of the show's 20th season in 2025 to focus on her return to Project Runway, but she made a guest appearance in September 2026, filling in for Simon Cowell during the season 21 live shows while he recovered from back surgery.
Beyond television, Klum has built a business empire that includes the Heidi Klum Intimates lingerie line, fashion collections sold through retailers including Lidl, jewelry, fragrances, and endorsement deals with brands such as H&M, McDonald's, and Dannon. In 2008, she became an American citizen while retaining her German citizenship. She has also become famous for her Halloween costumes — elaborate, viral-worthy creations like her giant worm costume — which have become an annual pop-culture event.
Personal Life
Heidi Klum has been married three times. Her first marriage was to celebrity hairstylist Ric Pipino, whom she wed in 1997; the couple divorced in 2002. She then entered a high-profile relationship with Formula One businessman Flavio Briatore, with whom she shares her eldest child, daughter Leni Klum (born May 2004), who was later adopted by Klum's next husband.
In 2005, Klum married British singer Seal (Seal Samuel), and the couple became one of entertainment's most photographed pairs. They had three children together: sons Henry (born September 2005) and Johan (born November 2006), and daughter Lou (born October 2009). After nine years of marriage, the couple divorced in 2014.
Klum found lasting love with German musician Tom Kaulitz, guitarist of the band Tokio Hotel, who is 16 years her junior. The pair began dating in 2018, married in February 2019, and remain together as of 2026, frequently appearing together at events such as Paris Fashion Week and red carpets around the world. Klum has spoken warmly about her blended family life, and in 2026 she also became a UNICEF USA ambassador.
She has four children in total — Leni, Henry, Johan, and Lou — and her eldest daughter Leni has followed her into modeling, walking runways and appearing in fashion campaigns alongside her mother. In recent years, Klum has been candid about aging, speaking openly in interviews about menopause, body changes, and embracing her fifties with confidence.
Net Worth
Heidi Klum's net worth is estimated at $160 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth, making her one of the wealthiest models-turned-television personalities in the world. Her fortune has been built over more than three decades through multiple income streams.
Modeling contracts and endorsement deals formed the foundation of her wealth, but television salaries and producing fees have been the biggest drivers. Reports have put her annual earnings at around $16 million, with major paydays from hosting and judging Project Runway, America's Got Talent (where she reportedly earned around $100,000 per episode), and Germany's Next Topmodel. She also executive-produced Amazon's Making the Cut (2020–2022).
Her business ventures have added substantially to her bottom line: the Heidi Klum Intimates line, fashion and beauty collections, jewelry, and fragrances, plus endorsement campaigns for international brands. Real estate investments and high-profile brand partnerships round out a portfolio that has grown steadily — from roughly $70 million in the mid-2010s to the current $160 million estimate — as she successfully transformed from supermodel into multimedia entrepreneur.
FAQs
How old is Heidi Klum?
Heidi Klum is 53 years old. She was born on June 1, 1973, in Bergisch Gladbach, West Germany, and turned 53 in June 2026.
Who is Heidi Klum's husband?
Heidi Klum is married to German musician Tom Kaulitz, guitarist of the band Tokio Hotel. They began dating in 2018 and married in February 2019. She was previously married to Ric Pipino (1997–2002) and singer Seal (2005–2014).
How many children does Heidi Klum have?
Heidi Klum has four children: daughter Leni (born May 2004, from her relationship with Flavio Briatore, later adopted by Seal), sons Henry (born September 2005) and Johan (born November 2006), and daughter Lou (born October 2009), the younger three shared with ex-husband Seal.
What is Heidi Klum's net worth?
Heidi Klum's net worth is estimated at $160 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. Her wealth comes from her modeling career, television hosting and judging salaries, executive producing, and her fashion, beauty, and jewelry business lines.
Is Heidi Klum still on America's Got Talent?
Heidi Klum stepped down as a full-time judge on America's Got Talent after season 19 in 2024, ahead of the show's 20th season in 2025. However, she returned as a guest judge in September 2026 during season 21, temporarily filling in for Simon Cowell while he recovered from back surgery. She continues to host and judge Project Runway and Germany's Next Topmodel.