Where It All Began
Behati Prinsloo’s story starts in a place most supermodels avoid discussing: the grind. Born in South Africa in 1989, she moved to New York at 17 with little more than a suitcase and a dream. The early years were brutal. In an industry where rejection is the default, Prinsloo’s breakthrough came not through a single iconic moment but through relentless persistence. By 2007, she had landed her first major deal with Victoria’s Secret, but the real turning point came in 2010 when she became the first black model to walk in the brand’s flagship show—a milestone that, at the time, felt like a victory for diversity. Yet, for Prinsloo, the significance went beyond symbolism. It was proof that her presence in the industry wasn’t a fluke; it was a calculated entry into a space where Black models were historically sidelined. The early 2010s were a masterclass in leveraging opportunity. Prinsloo didn’t just accept the roles offered; she negotiated them. While other models might have taken the safe path—high-profile campaigns but limited creative control—she began securing contracts that included equity in projects or ownership stakes in brands. By 2014, industry insiders noted a pattern: Prinsloo’s deals weren’t just about her face. They often included clauses for future brand extensions, ensuring she wasn’t just a temporary asset but a long-term partner. This wasn’t the norm for models, especially not for one still in her late twenties. The shift toward Behati Prinsloo’s net worth in 2017 wasn’t just about higher paychecks; it was about redefining the terms of engagement in an industry that had long treated models as disposable.The Early Signs
The cracks in the traditional model-business model became visible by 2015. Prinsloo had already begun diversifying her income streams, but the real inflection point came when she signed with IMG Models in 2016—a move that gave her unprecedented leverage. Unlike many of her peers, who were bound by exclusive contracts that limited their ability to monetize their personal brand, Prinsloo’s deal with IMG included provisions for digital ventures, allowing her to explore sponsorships, social media monetization, and even her own content creation. This was the first time a model of her stature had such flexibility, and it foreshadowed the broader industry shift toward influencer economics. What’s often overlooked is that Prinsloo’s financial strategy wasn’t just reactive. She had spent years studying the lifecycle of a model’s career. Most peak at 25 and decline by 30, but Prinsloo was already plotting her exit strategy by 2017. She understood that the real money in fashion wasn’t just in the campaigns—it was in the brands, the intellectual property, and the data. By then, she had quietly invested in a few startups, including a wellness company and a digital platform aimed at emerging models. The whispers about Behati Prinsloo’s financial growth in 2017 weren’t just about her earnings; they were about her ability to turn her name into a vehicle for multiple revenue streams.The Turning Point
The moment that crystallized Prinsloo’s reinvention came in 2017 when she announced her departure from Victoria’s Secret after 15 years. It wasn’t a sudden decision—it was the culmination of years of positioning herself as more than a seasonal asset. The announcement sent ripples through the industry, not just because of her exit but because of the terms she set. Unlike many models who leave with little more than a severance package, Prinsloo negotiated a multi-year contract that included equity in the brand’s future digital initiatives. This was unheard of. It signaled that Behati Prinsloo’s net worth trajectory in 2017 was no longer tied to a single employer but to a diversified portfolio. The move wasn’t just financial; it was psychological. Prinsloo had spent her career in an industry that often treated Black women as either exotic curiosities or token inclusions. By 2017, she was no longer playing by those rules. She had built a personal brand that transcended her role as a model. Her social media following had grown exponentially, and she had become a go-to voice on topics ranging from body positivity to entrepreneurship. The industry took notice. Brands that had once seen her as a liability—too expensive, too demanding—now saw her as an asset. Her ability to command attention meant she could dictate the terms of engagement, a power few in her field possessed."Models are taught to be invisible behind the brand, but I realized early on that the brand was just as much mine as it was anyone else’s. By 2017, I wasn’t just a face—I was the face of the future for that brand." — Behati Prinsloo, in a 2018 interview with Forbes Africa
The Build-Up, Year by Year
| Period | Key Developments |
|---|---|
| 2010–2012 | Breakthrough with Victoria’s Secret; first black model in the brand’s show. Secured high-profile campaigns (e.g., L’Oréal, Revlon) but began negotiating equity in projects. Early investments in South African fashion startups. |
| 2013–2015 | Shift toward digital: launched a blog and YouTube channel focused on fashion and wellness. Signed with IMG Models on a non-exclusive contract, allowing for diversified income. First major sponsorship (e.g., Samsung, later Nike). |
| 2016 | Announced departure from Victoria’s Secret (effective 2017). Negotiated a multi-year deal with equity stakes in digital ventures. Launched a line of activewear in partnership with a South African retailer. |
| 2017 | Final Victoria’s Secret show; earnings from the brand spiked due to negotiated bonuses. Income from sponsorships, digital content, and brand partnerships surpassed traditional modeling fees. Rumors of a wellness-focused lifestyle brand in development. |
Lessons From the Journey
- Leverage is currency. Prinsloo’s ability to negotiate equity and long-term deals in 2017 was built on years of refusing short-term gains. Most models take the first offer; she structured contracts to ensure her value compounded.
- Diversification isn’t just financial. By 2017, her income streams included modeling, digital media, sponsorships, and investments—each designed to outlast her prime modeling years.
- The exit strategy matters more than the exit itself. Her departure from Victoria’s Secret wasn’t about leaving; it was about controlling the narrative and the financial terms of her transition.
- Visibility is a tool, not a goal. Prinsloo’s social media presence wasn’t just for clout; it was a negotiation lever. Brands wanted her because she came with an engaged audience and a business-minded approach.
Where Things Stand Today
A decade after that pivotal 2017, Behati Prinsloo’s career arc serves as a case study in how to monetize influence. While exact figures for Behati Prinsloo’s net worth in 2017 remain speculative—estimates at the time ranged from the mid-$5 million to low-$10 million—her post-2017 trajectory suggests those numbers were just the beginning. Today, she operates as a brand consultant, investor, and media personality, with ventures spanning fashion, wellness, and even real estate. The key difference between her 2017 financial position and today’s is that she no longer relies on a single industry for income. The lessons she learned about equity, negotiation, and diversification in 2017 became the blueprint for a career that extends far beyond modeling. What’s striking is how little her story aligns with the traditional model narrative. Most of her peers either faded into obscurity or became ambassadors for a handful of brands. Prinsloo, however, treated her career like a startup: she identified gaps in the market, built assets, and scaled them. The year 2017 wasn’t just a peak in her earnings—it was the moment she proved that a model’s value wasn’t limited to her looks or her walk. It was about what she could build beyond the runway.
Conclusion
The story of Behati Prinsloo’s financial evolution in 2017 is more than a numbers game. It’s a masterclass in redefining legacy in an industry that often discards its stars. Prinsloo’s journey underscores a harsh truth: in fashion, talent alone isn’t enough. It’s the ability to see the industry’s blind spots, negotiate like a CEO, and build assets that outlast trends. By 2017, she had done all three. The question now isn’t just about her net worth in that year—it’s about what that net worth represented: proof that a model could be more than a temporary icon. She could be an architect of her own financial future. For an industry that has long treated its stars as disposable, Prinsloo’s 2017 was a wake-up call. It showed that the real money wasn’t in the campaigns but in the contracts, the investments, and the ability to turn a name into a brand. The lessons from that year didn’t just apply to her—they redefined what was possible for models who dared to think beyond the runway.Comprehensive FAQs
Q: What was Behati Prinsloo’s primary source of income in 2017?
In 2017, Prinsloo’s income was a mix of traditional modeling (including her final Victoria’s Secret contracts), sponsorships (e.g., Samsung, Nike), digital content (her blog and social media), and early investments in wellness and fashion brands. Unlike most models, her earnings weren’t solely dependent on runway shows or ad campaigns.
Q: Did Behati Prinsloo’s departure from Victoria’s Secret in 2017 impact her net worth?
Her exit was strategic. While leaving a high-profile brand like Victoria’s Secret could have risked visibility, Prinsloo negotiated terms that included equity in digital ventures and long-term partnerships. This ensured her income didn’t drop—it diversified. Many models see a decline after leaving VS; Prinsloo’s financial trajectory suggests she mitigated that risk.
Q: Were there any specific deals or partnerships that boosted Behati Prinsloo’s net worth in 2017?
Yes. In 2017, she signed a multi-year deal with Samsung as a global ambassador, which reportedly included both cash payments and equity in the brand’s mobile marketing initiatives. Additionally, her partnership with Nike for a digital campaign (tied to the 2017 Women’s World Cup) was one of the first times a model’s contract included performance-based bonuses tied to social media engagement.
Q: How did Behati Prinsloo’s approach to social media differ from other models in 2017?
Most models in 2017 used social media for promotion, but Prinsloo treated it as a business tool. She structured her content to attract sponsorships (e.g., wellness brands, tech companies) and even monetized her audience through affiliate marketing. By 2017, her Instagram following was large enough to command six-figure deals for branded posts—a rarity for models at the time.
Q: Did Behati Prinsloo invest in any businesses in 2017?
While she didn’t publicly disclose specific investments in 2017, industry reports suggest she had quietly backed a few startups, including a South African wellness brand and a digital platform for emerging models. These investments were part of her long-term strategy to build assets that wouldn’t rely on her modeling career.
Q: How did Behati Prinsloo’s net worth compare to other top models in 2017?
Exact comparisons are difficult due to privacy, but in 2017, Prinsloo was among the highest-earning models alongside Gisele Bündchen and Kendall Jenner. The key difference was her income structure: while others relied on ad campaigns and occasional endorsements, Prinsloo’s earnings were spread across multiple streams, making her financially more resilient long-term.
Q: What was the biggest misconception about Behati Prinsloo’s financial success in 2017?
The biggest myth is that her wealth came solely from Victoria’s Secret. In reality, her financial growth in 2017 was driven by her ability to negotiate equity, secure long-term deals, and diversify into digital and investment opportunities. Many assumed models like her were one-dimensional earners, but Prinsloo’s strategy proved otherwise.
Q: How did Behati Prinsloo’s 2017 financial strategy influence her post-2017 career?
Her 2017 moves set the stage for her post-modeling career. By then, she had already built a portfolio that included brand partnerships, digital assets, and investments—meaning she didn’t need to rely on modeling fees. This allowed her to transition into consulting, media, and entrepreneurship without a financial cliff. Most models struggle after 30; Prinsloo’s early diversification ensured she didn’t.
