The world's highest-paid model Gisele Bundchen is retiring from the catwalk

The 34-year-old runway veteran and highest-earning model for almost a decade could be ready to retire

(AFP PHOTO/Mauricio LIMA)

The world’s highest-paid model in living history Gisele Bundchen is reportedly retiring from the catwalk in April.

According to the Brazilian publication Moda Estadao, the 34-year-old model will bow out at Colcci's spring 2016 show during Sao Paolo Fashion Week next month. Apparently, it is Bundchen’s dream to end her 20 years of catwalk career in her native country, where she was first discovered by Elite modelling agency when she was just 14.

But Bundchen still has a promising future ahead. She has topped Forbes’ highest-paid models list for the past eight years -she's said to be earning $47m (approx. £32m) in this past year alone- and she has spent more than half of her life in the fashion game, meaning she knows all the right people. Also, she has powerful language skills, speaking English, Italian, Spanish, her native Portuguese and some French and German too, proving that it takes more than just good looks to get to the top.

The Brazilian beauty will continue to front numerous high-profile editorials and campaigns for the likes of Chanel No.5, Stuart Weitzman, Balenciaga and H&M, as well as her own footwear and lingerie labels. She will also continue to work as Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations.

Her retirement from the catwalk, however, doesn’t come as complete surprise, as the mother-of-two and wife of American football star Tom Brady has decreased her catwalk appearances in recent years. Walking most recently for Colcci, with whom she has had a long professional relationship, and for Chanel in September 2014, where she took part of the infamous “feminist riot”.

Gisele Bundchen (centre) leads the unusual finale at Chanel show (AFP)

As Claudia Schiffer said back in 2007, “her [Bundchen’s] face is well known; her name is recognised. No other girl occurs to me that people in the street would recognise.”