Doutzen Kroes
A Dutch supermodel whose ethereal beauty and business savvy made her a defining face of 21st-century glamour.
Born 1985 (age 41)·Dutch fashion model·Birthday: January 23·Millennials
Biography
Hailing from a small village in the Netherlands, Doutzen Kroes was discovered after sending polaroid photos to a modeling agency. Her rise was meteoric. With her striking blue eyes, strong cheekbones, and a serene yet approachable presence, she quickly became a favorite of fashion's top photographers. Signing with Victoria's Secret in 2004 and becoming an Angel in 2008 cemented her status as a global superstar, bringing her face to millions outside the high-fashion bubble. But Kroes leveraged this mainstream fame with intelligence, maintaining a coveted position on the runways for luxury houses like Valentino and Calvin Klein. She became one of the world's highest-paid models for years, a testament to her consistent commercial appeal. Beyond the camera, she has used her platform for advocacy, particularly as an ambassador for the Elephant Crisis Fund, channeling her profile toward conservation. Kroes represents a modern model archetype: fiercely professional, financially astute, and capable of moving seamlessly between fantasy and substance.
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.
Doutzen was born in 1985, 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 Doutzen Was Born
The biggest hits of 1985
#1 Movie
Back to the Future
Best Picture
Out of Africa
#1 TV Show
Dynasty
Doutzen's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1985Born
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1990Started school
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1998Became a teenager
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2001Could drive
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2003Could vote
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Turned 21
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2015Turned 30
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2025Turned 40
AI agents go mainstream
Gas: $3.10/galHome: $385,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"APT." — Rose & Bruno Mars
2026Age 41 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- She was a Victoria's Secret Angel from 2008 to 2014, one of the most prominent faces of the brand.
- She has been a global spokesperson for L'Oréal Paris since 2006.
- She ranked second on Forbes' list of the world's highest-paid models in 2014.
- She has appeared on the cover of international editions of Vogue over 100 times.
- She is a dedicated ambassador for the Elephant Crisis Fund, raising significant awareness and funds.
Did You Know?
She is fluent in Dutch, English, and West Frisian, a language spoken in her home province of Friesland.
Before modeling, she aspired to be a speed skater.
She and her husband, Dutch DJ Sunnery James, own a sustainable clothing brand called 'Kroes & James.'
She gave birth to her first child, a son, in 2011 and returned to the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show just two months later.
“The camera sees everything, so you must be completely honest in front of it.”
