Lily Aldridge
An angel with edge, she defined the modern Victoria's Secret look for nearly a decade while gracing iconic magazine covers.
Born 1985 (age 41)·American model·Birthday: November 15·Millennials
Biography
Lily Aldridge brought a touch of rock-and-roll cool to the world of high-gloss fashion. Discovered as a teenager, her career skyrocketed when she became a Victoria's Secret Angel in 2010, a role she held for eight years. On the VS runway, she was known for a smoldering, confident presence, famously wearing the $2 million Fantasy Bra in 2015. But her appeal extended far beyond the lingerie giant. She landed one of the three coveted spots on the historic 50th-anniversary cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, a testament to her status as an all-American beauty icon. With campaigns for major brands like Ralph Lauren and Bulgari, Aldridge mastered the balance between commercial appeal and high fashion, all while cultivating an image rooted in her personal style as a music fan and California-cool mother.
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.
Lily 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 Lily Was Born
The biggest hits of 1985
#1 Movie
Back to the Future
Best Picture
Out of Africa
#1 TV Show
Dynasty
Lily'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
- Wore the Victoria's Secret Fantasy Bra, valued at $2 million, in 2015.
- Was featured as one of three models on the 50th-anniversary cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 2014.
- Maintained status as a Victoria's Secret Angel from 2010 to 2018.
Did You Know?
She is married to Kings of Leon frontman Caleb Followill.
Her sister, Ruby Aldridge, is also a successful model.
She made her runway debut walking for Marc Jacobs at age 17.
She has a tattoo of a feather on her right forearm.
“A runway is a place to own your space, not just walk through it.”
