Throwback Thursday: Heidi Klum, sexy then, sexy now

With her recent turn as host of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue TV special, we thought this week would be a good time to take a look back at some of the reasons we became big fans of hers and why we still are today. As you’ll see, despite her recent retirement from the world of lingerie modeling, Heidi looks like she still might have another swimsuit spread still left in her legendary body.

Click on to see Heidi the way we remember her and how she looks today.

Heidi is a modeling legend so how did it all get started? In a national modeling contest in 1992 called Model 92 where out of 25,000 contestants Heidi took him the title. Of note: this is while she was still in high school.

It wasn’t long before companies like Sports Illustrated and Victoria’s Secret came calling and suddenly Heidi was a household name. Covering SI’s Swimsuit Issue and appearing in body paint several times, combined with her appearances in the annual Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, she became one of the highest paid models in the world.

Previous Throwbacks: Alyssa Milano, Keri Russell & more!

Now, having retired from lingerie modeling, she’s the current host of Project Runway, the show that she started out with as the host, judge and executive producer of back in 2004. She’s also been the host, judge and co-producer of Germany’s Next Topmodel since 2006, and joined America’s Got Talent as the show’s new fourth judge in 2013. She might not be modeling as much, but damn, is she still busy.

2000 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show

Heidi Klum image by Featureflash/Shutterstock


2000 ‘The 6th Day’ Premiere

Heidi Klum image by Featureflash/Shutterstock


2000 VH1/Vogue Fashion Awards

Heidi Klum image by Featureflash/Shutterstock


2000 Victoria’s Secret Party

Heidi Klum image by Featureflash/Shutterstock


2003 ‘Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle’ Premiere

Heidi Klum image by Featureflash/Shutterstock


2004 World Music Awards

Heidi Klum image by Featureflash/Shutterstock


2005 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show

Heidi Klum image by Anton Oparin/Shutterstock


2005 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show

Heidi Klum image by Anton Oparin/Shutterstock


2014 People’s Choice Awards

Heidi Klum image by Jaguar PS/Shutterstock

Check out previous Throwback Thursdays here!