May Andersen
A Danish model who brought a cool, editorial edge to the glamorous worlds of Victoria's Secret and Sports Illustrated.
Born 1982 (age 44)·Danish model·Birthday: June 16·Millennials
Biography
May Andersen emerged from Copenhagen with a look that was both strikingly beautiful and intriguingly aloof, quickly catching the eye of the international fashion scene. More than just a runway presence, she became a favorite for Victoria's Secret, embodying their blend of allure and sophistication, and graced the pages of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, where her natural confidence translated perfectly to the beach. Her life off the catwalk revealed other dimensions; she spent time in New York City working behind the scenes at a contemporary art gallery, The Hole, an experience that spoke to her interests beyond modeling. Andersen's career represents a specific early-2000s ideal, a model who could transition from high-fashion editorials to commercial blockbusters while maintaining an air of intriguing mystery.
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.
May was born in 1982, 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 May Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
May's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1982Born
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1987Started school
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1995Became a teenager
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Could drive
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2000Could vote
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Turned 21
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
2012Turned 30
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2022Turned 40
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 44 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Became a featured model for the Victoria's Secret fashion shows and campaigns in the mid-2000s.
- Appeared in multiple editions of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
- Walked runways for major designers like Chanel, Valentino, and Versace.
Did You Know?
She worked as an assistant director at The Hole, a contemporary art gallery in New York's Bowery district.
Andersen was discovered at the age of 15 while shopping in a Copenhagen department store.
She has Danish, Vietnamese, and French ancestry.
“The runway is a job; my life is in Copenhagen, with my feet on the ground.”
