Victoria’s Secret vet Karolina Kurkova, 41, still looks sensational… see her now

Karolina Kurkova was one of the top models for Victoria’s Secret in the 1990s.

The looker also appeared on the cover of Vogue dozens of times.

Back in 2009, I was blessed with the addition of three little miracles to my life: my precious daughter Luna and my two sons, Noah and Tobin. Ever since then, I’ve dedicated myself to nurturing them, taking a break from my work whenever necessary to ensure they grow up happy and healthy. My amazing husband Archie Drury stands by my side in this beautiful journey of parenthood.

Now she is back to working full-time.

This past week, the 41-year-old demonstrated that she continues to look fabulous when she attended the opening of Freakier Friday in Los Angeles.

The stunning queen of the runway glowed in a vibrant mini dress of green, adorned with complementing strappy sandals and a chic handbag. Her golden locks cascaded loosely, sleek and straight to perfection.

In the previous year, The Dynamo shared insights about her professional journey with Dailymail.com. This journey spanned from beginning work at 15 years old, experiencing discomfort while modeling lingerie at 16, discovering at 24 that she had gained approximately 30 pounds due to a thyroid condition called Hashimoto’s, and ultimately transitioning into a family-oriented individual.

In an exclusive chat with Dailymail.com, Karolina expressed her surprise at becoming as famous as she is now. She never imagined such stardom would be part of her life. Even today, it continues to astound her how fortunate she’s been to have such a successful career.

Oddly, at first the star said she was not top model material.

Karolina shared, “I’d been told my nose was too sharp and my legs too lengthy, but it was Anna Wintour who believed I could become a supermodel. Her confidence in me meant the world to me.

Renowned photographer Mario Testino likewise praised her for having ideal proportions between her body and face, brimming with vitality.

Kurkova has now signed with Ford Models and will be working more often. 

The 5ft11in celebrity expressed enthusiasm as her children have grown older, stating that she is eager to rejoin activities. She has a fresh representative now, and she’s keen on participating in engaging ventures since she enjoys keeping herself occupied.

Karolina started working at a very young age.

‘My dad would drive me to casting starting at age 15. It was so exciting for me,’ she cooed.

She approached modeling with dedication: “I aimed to excel in modeling. I was determined to pour all my passion and energy into it, and fortunately, my father was always watching over me,” expressed the aspiring model.

She revealed that her experience was quite distinct from what it used to be during school days, as she stood out as the more playful or humorous one back then.

‘It was overwhelming for me at first to try to look sexy,’ she said; she was only 15.

Kurkova stated that she assumed a role on the runway, striking poses for the cameras, as it wasn’t truly reflective of her personality. In reality, she was actually quite sporty, rather than sultry.

However, at just 16 years old, she encountered a massive shock while modeling intricate lingerie items for Victoria’s Secret.

At such a young age, it felt unusual for me to model lingerie since I was an athlete and more accustomed to strength than sexuality. As a gymnast, I was comfortable with my physical prowess, but being a sensual figure on the runway at 16 was a strange experience for me,” she observed.

She mentioned that her legs didn’t seem unusually long to her, but at the age of 16, it was a significant challenge for her to find her place in the spotlight.

‘It was a process for me to find that I had to find the courage to go on stage and look that way.’

In her explanation, she pointed out that during her childhood in the Czech Republic, it was uncommon for teenagers to dress provocatively or behave in a sexually suggestive manner, unlike what was observed in American society.

Karolina added that she felt fortunate since she never encountered problems during her time with Victoria’s Secret, as her father was consistently there to support her throughout.

Growing up, my parents were consistently attentive towards me, ensuring I didn’t face any issues. It’s been a tradition in our family to stick together, with everyone looking out for one another, which I’m grateful for. I consider myself fortunate to have had my father around.

Karolina also said her favorite shoot was for Vogue shoot when she dressed up like Marilyn Manson. 

1. Option A: The siren’s skin was extremely pale, her hair was as dark as night, and she was virtually untraceable. Another cherished moment for Valentino was when she displayed photographs.

2. Option B: The siren had an almost ghostly complexion, her locks were as dark as ebony, making her indistinguishable. A beloved scene for Valentino occurred when she presented pictures.

3. Option C: With skin so white it seemed to glow, hair as black as coal, the siren was impossible to recognize. Another favorite instance for Valentino was when she showed off photos.

Choose any of these options that you feel best suits your writing style and tone.

She also told DailyMail.com about a big bump in the road for her. 

‘I was 24 and I was told to slow down because I wasn’t looking so healthy,’ she began.

As someone accustomed to constant work and productivity, it felt unusual for me to be asked to take a break, considering my strong desire to keep working.

She explained, ‘For quite some time, I’ve been dealing with a great deal of pressure. I’ve spent nearly a decade posing for others, leaving me with little opportunity for introspection. Unbeknownst to me, I hadn’t realized how much I needed a makeover.’

‘Someone had to tell me I needed to take a break.

‘I had been eating healthily and exercising regularly, but then I went to the doctor, and he diagnosed me with Hashimoto’s disease, which is a thyroid problem that can be worsened by stress. In fact, working under pressure has been making it worse for me. Unfortunately, this has led to a 30-pound weight gain.’

After embarking on a holistic health journey, she significantly improved her well-being: ‘I delved into nutrition, practiced yoga, researched sleeping patterns and meditation, I took up every aspect of it.’

And Karolina said she as surprised she could get pregnant. 

She expressed gratitude because she was able to conceive naturally despite having Hashimoto’s Disease, which can make it difficult for women to get pregnant. She mentioned that she has three children with Drury, a producer of the film Sound Of Freedom from 2023 and the documentary Voices Of Iraq. In simpler terms, she was fortunate to conceive naturally despite having Hashimoto’s Disease, which can make it tough for women to get pregnant, and she has three kids with her partner Drury, who works on films like Sound Of Freedom (2023) and the documentary Voices Of Iraq.

Now self care is a top priority for Karolina. 

She mentioned that she maintains excellent health by frequently consuming green juices and eating a large amount of vegetables. Occasionally, she indulges in pizza and pasta, which she enjoys, but recognizes that it should not be consumed too frequently as it’s more of a treat for her.

In the outskirts of New York City, I discovered a deeper sense of spirituality. Spending more hours amidst nature also became part of my routine, which significantly reduced my stress levels. My personal health odyssey led me to strike a balance where I understand that being outdoors contributes greatly to my relaxation and well-being.

In addition to being cautious with my skin, I enjoy various beauty routines such as lymphatic massage, sculpting, using rollers, applying facemasks and eye patches. I also make use of red light therapy and unwind by lying down on an amethyst mat for meditation; this practice has been part of my routine for quite some time now, and it provides a wonderful sense of relaxation.

And she exercises constantly. 

When it comes to exercise, I make time for around 30 to 40 minutes of activity daily. My go-to equipment is a rowing machine, but I also enjoy attending classes that play music. I throw in power walks and dog walks to the park too. Now, this might surprise some models, but I genuinely enjoy household chores. I take pride in keeping dishes spotless and the house free of dust – even pushing the vacuum cleaner brings me joy!

‘Used to be a professional gymnast so I’m used to exercises, I like to keep moving moving.’

She feels very positive about her 40s. 

The cover model expressed her eagerness to resume her career in modeling, along with her aspirations to try out producing and hosting roles. She finds the idea of working in front of the camera for a television show incredibly exciting.

I hope to share an experience with my children someday by starting a family-run business where we can collaborate and work together.

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2025-07-25 18:09

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