Behati Prinsloo
A Namibian model who rose from a small town to become the face of global lingerie campaigns, embodying a fresh, athletic beauty.
Born 1989 (age 37)·Namibian model·Birthday: May 16·Millennials
Biography
Born in Grootfontein, Namibia, Behati Prinsloo was discovered at a flea market in Cape Town at age 16. Her career skyrocketed when she signed an exclusive contract with PINK in 2008, quickly graduating to a full Victoria's Secret Angel the following year. With her sun-kissed, girl-next-door charm and distinctive gap-toothed smile, Prinsloo brought a relatable energy to the runway, opening the brand's prestigious fashion show in consecutive years. Beyond the wings, she became a fixture in advertising for brands like Juicy Couture and appeared on countless magazine covers. Her personal life, including her marriage to Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine, placed her in the pop culture spotlight, but her enduring impact lies in representing a more accessible, sporty ideal within high-fashion modeling.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Behati was born in 1989, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Behati Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Behati's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Became a Victoria's Secret Angel in 2009, a pinnacle role in the modeling industry.
- Opened the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in both 2014 and 2015, a key honor.
- Landed an exclusive contract with PINK in 2008, launching her major career.
- Walked in twelve consecutive Victoria's Secret Fashion Shows from 2007 to 2018.
Did You Know?
She was discovered while on a family vacation at a Cape Town flea market.
Prinsloo's first name, Behati, means 'voyager' or 'traveler' in Hebrew.
She is married to Maroon 5 singer Adam Levine and they have three children.
She has a small gap between her front teeth, which became a signature feature.
“I was discovered at a flea market in Cape Town when I was 16.”
