INTRODUCTION
Doutzen Kroes (@doutzen) is a legendary Dutch supermodel and activist whose career spans over two decades as one of the most recognizable faces in fashion. A former Victoria’s Secret Angel and a long-standing L’Oréal Paris ambassador, she has navigated the industry with a focus on natural beauty and high-fashion editorial prestige. In 2026, she is celebrated as an icon of “authentic aging” and intentional living, having recently returned to the spotlight after a period of professional hiatus and personal reflection.
Birth name: Doutzen Kroes
Career
Supermodel, Actress, Philanthropist, Brand Ambassador
Birthday
January 23, 1985
Age: 41
Zodiac Sign:
Aquarius
Birthplace: Gytsjerk, Friesland, Netherlands
Nationality: Dutch
HOW BIG IS Doutzen Kroes ON THE NET?
Doutzen remains a global icon with over 8 million followers on Instagram, despite her public stance on being “intentionally offline” and selective about digital exposure in recent years. Her media impact remains massive; in early 2026, her return to the cover of Vogue France (February issue) trended globally, celebrating her 20+ year legacy. She consistently ranks as one of the top-earning models in history, with a net worth estimated at over €29 million.
HOW DID Doutzen Kroes become famous?
Doutzen became a superstar in the mid-2000s, famously becoming a Victoria’s Secret Angel in 2008—the second Dutch model to do so. Her “all-American” Dutch beauty made her a favorite for both high-fashion houses like Valentino and Versace and commercial giants like L’Oréal Paris. She made history in 2013 by appearing on four different international September covers of Vogue in a single year, a record only later broken by Bella Hadid.
BEFORE THE FAME
Growing up in a small village in Friesland, Doutzen described herself as a “tomboy” who loved skating and cycling. She didn’t dream of modeling; instead, she sent polaroids to a Dutch agency in 2003 simply hoping to make some extra money. Within a year, she was in New York, signed by DNA Models, and walking for Gucci and Prada, catapulting from a rural Dutch upbringing to the pinnacle of Manhattan’s fashion scene almost overnight.
CLOSE WITH (ASSOCIATED);
Doutzen is a key member of the “Supermodel Elite,” sharing a long professional history with Adriana Lima, Candice Swanepoel, and Karlie Kloss. She is married to Dutch DJ Sunnery James, and they are a prominent power couple in the European creative scene. She is also a passionate activist, serving as a global ambassador for #KnotOnMyPlanet, an initiative supported by friends and peers like Naomi Campbell and Christy Turlington to end the elephant ivory trade.