You’ve seen the photos. Maybe you’ve even seen the TikToks where people pick apart her face or her weight like she’s a science project instead of a human being. Honestly, it’s been a weird few years for Adriana Lima now. After retiring from the Victoria’s Secret runway in 2018 in what everyone—including her—thought was a permanent goodbye, she’s back. But she’s not the same 18-year-old who first stepped onto that stage in 1999. She’s 44. She’s a mother of five. And she is currently navigating one of the most fascinating second acts in fashion history.
The "Lima energy" is still there.
If you watched the 2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in Brooklyn, you saw her. She wasn't just a guest; she was the anchor. Standing alongside the new generation of stars like Angel Reese and Suni Lee, Adriana proved that the industry’s obsession with "youth only" is finally, slowly, cracking.
The Reality of the Victoria’s Secret Return
Most people thought the 2018 "retirement" was the end. Lima cried on the runway. The world cried with her. It felt like the closing of a chapter for the "Guardian Angel." But then 2024 happened. She got into a taxi in a viral promo, told the driver she was going "home," and pulled up to the VS show.
It wasn't just a one-off. By late 2025, it became clear that her partnership with the brand is more of a long-term mentorship and "icon" status role. She isn't just walking; she’s consulting. She’s teaching the newer models how to "smize" (though that’s Tyra’s term, Adriana has her own brand of fierce). In the 2025 show, she shared the ramp with legends like Alessandra Ambrosio and Candice Swanepoel, but the vibe was different. It was less about being "perfect" and more about being present.
Why the Internet's Reaction Matters
We have to talk about the "face" controversy. A while back, Adriana stepped onto a red carpet and the internet went into a frenzy. There were rumors about surgery, fillers, and "unrecognizable" features. It was brutal.
But here’s the thing: Adriana clapped back with a selfie. She posted a photo of her bare, tired face and reminded everyone that she’s a mom to a toddler (her son Cyan, born in 2022), a teenager, and two pre-teens. She’s basically living on coffee and grit like the rest of us. Seeing Adriana Lima now embrace the fact that she doesn't look like she did in 2003 is actually the most "super" thing about her.
Her 2026 Power Moves
So, what is she actually doing today besides wearing wings?
- High Fashion Resurgence: She’s not just doing lingerie. She recently walked for Ferragamo’s Fall/Winter 2025/26 show in Milan. Maximilian Davis, the creative director, used her as a focal point of "German Tanztheater" inspired movement. It was high art, not just a catwalk.
- The Puma Partnership: She’s been a long-term ambassador for Puma’s women’s training business. If you follow her, you know she’s a beast in the boxing ring. This isn't "yoga in the park" modeling. It's "sweat-dripping, heavy-bag" work.
- Producer Status: She’s moving behind the camera. She served as an executive producer on FIFA: A Love Letter To Rwanda and has been involved in projects like The Thicket.
She’s also raising a massive blended family. She has her two daughters, Valentina and Sienna, with ex-husband Marko Jarić, and her son Cyan with boyfriend Andre Lemmers. Plus, she’s helping raise Andre’s two children. That’s five kids.
Basically, her life is a logistical marathon.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception about Adriana Lima now is that she’s trying to reclaim her youth. If you listen to her interviews, it’s the opposite. She’s mentioned that she feels more celebrated at 44 than she did at 24 because she’s allowed to be a whole person now.
In a world of AI-generated perfection, Adriana is leaning into the "tired mom" reality. She’s showing up to events like the Daily Front Row’s Fashion LA Awards with her kids in tow. She even won the "Fashion Comeback of the Year" award recently, which is kind of ironic because, in her mind, she never really left; she just evolved.
The Impact on the "New" Victoria's Secret
The brand had to change. They faced massive backlash for years over a lack of diversity. Bringing Adriana back wasn't just a nostalgia play—it was a bridge. She represents the "old" VS glamour, but her current message is all about empowerment and inclusivity.
At the 2025 show, she mentioned that her dream would be to share the runway with her daughters. That shift from "sex symbol" to "matriarch of fashion" is why she still matters.
Next Steps to Follow Her Career:
If you want to keep up with what Adriana is doing next, skip the tabloid headlines and look at her Puma training campaigns or her involvement with FIFA as a Global Fan Ambassador. Her 2026 schedule is heavily focused on fitness and philanthropic work in Brazil and Haiti. Watch for her upcoming appearances at the 2026 "Big Four" fashion weeks, where she is expected to continue her partnership with luxury houses like Ferragamo and Schiaparelli.