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By Gabrielle Gayagoy

Discovered when she was just 13 years old in Stockholm, Sweden, by Ford Models co-founder Eileen Ford, supermodel Vendela Kirsebom has spent more than two decades gracing the covers of countless magazines, including Esquire and Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue, and modeling for brands such as Almay, Elizabeth Arden and Victoria’s Secret. Now, at age 42, the 5-foot-8-inch beauty looks as stunning as ever — and she feels better than ever too.

“I’m in a good place in my life,” Kirsebom says. “And I think the secret really is to love what you do.”

Bouncing Back
Kirsebom’s passion for her work helped her stay grounded during what was perhaps the toughest period of her life. Having split from her husband of 11 years in 2007, Kirsebom says of that time, “I wasn’t really sure how I would deal with it.” After juggling questions of what would be best for her two daughters, now 11 and 9, Kirsebom reconciled herself to remaining in Oslo, Norway, so that her children could be close to both parents. During this time, Kirsebom was steeped in her role as host of both Norway’s Next Top Model and Sweden’s Next Top Model, the Scandinavian spinoffs of America’s Next Top Model.

“It was a good thing for me to start working where I actually live instead of always traveling,” says Kirsebom, who now puts her vast experience (which includes writing, acting and jewelry design) to use mentoring the shows’ contestants.

Over time, Kirsebom has created a new life for herself, and now she even has a steady beau. “I have a new boyfriend who’s been in my life for over a year,” she says. “One of the reasons I think we hooked up is because of food. He’s a great cook.”

Taking Care of Herself
Food fanaticism is a prerequisite for members of Kirsebom’s inner circle. She says she loves swapping recipes and preparing meals from scratch using fresh ingredients. “Right now, I’m on an Indian trip. For Easter, we made a really great lamb korma, and then we made a chicken that was marinated in yogurt and spices for 24 hours. You could eat it with a spoon!”

Kirsebom’s repertoire also includes homemade meatballs (Swedish, of course) and Middle Eastern favorites like hummus. “I got my interest in cooking from my mom and also my grandmother. Now my daughters are very interested too. They like making cakes and desserts.”

To maintain her svelte figure in spite of her kitchen adventures, Kirsebom says she sticks with regular meal times — 6:30 a.m., noon and 6 p.m. She also runs, practices yoga and goes horseback riding with her girls. “With work and with kids, I don’t have time to exercise as much as I used to, but I try to do it three times a week. Sometimes it’s more like twice.”

Kirsebom has a decidedly European attitude when it comes to aging — she says she’s happy with her natural look and not fearful about getting older. But, she adds, “I don’t mind plastic surgery on others. People have to do whatever they feel comfortable with, as long as it’s something you choose and it’s not a husband or somebody else who’s choosing for you.”

Model Mom
Empowering women to call their own shots is an issue that’s important to Kirsebom. As a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for the past 13 years, she’s traveled to places such as Bangladesh, Bolivia and India to help raise awareness about girls’ education. “After I had my own children, the issue became even more important to me,” Kirsebom says. “If you can’t read and you can’t write, you’re so handicapped with everything.”

As a mom who cares deeply about education, loves to whip up home-cooked meals for her children and manages a successful career that continues to evolve, Kirsebom certainly deserves a happy Mother’s Day. And we can’t think of a more perfect person for VIVmag’s May/June cover!

Click here for more on Vendela’s favorites.

Credits
Photography: Ondrea Barbe
Model: Vendela/Ford Models
Styling: Kristina Ferrante Coleman
Hair: Kevin Woon at Woon Salon/Jed Root Inc.
Makeup: Susan Giordano for giordanobeauty.com/Kramer+Kramer
Clothing: Monique Lhuillier cocktail dress; Vera Wang necklace; Olivia Morris for Barbara Tfank high-heel sandals

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