Heidi Klum (, born June 1, 1973)
is a
German model, actress, television host, business woman, fashion designer,
television producer, artist, and occasional singer. She is married to singer
Seal.
Early life and discovery
Heidi was raised by her parents: Günther, a cosmetics-company executive; and Erna, a hairdresser; in
Bergisch Gladbach,
West Germany, a small city outside
Cologne. A friend persuaded her to enroll in a national modeling contest called "Model 92".
Out of 25,000 contestants, Klum was voted the winner on April 29, 1992 and offered a modeling contract worth US$300,000 by Thomas Zeumer, CEO of Metropolitan Models New York.
As the winner, she appeared on the
Gottschalk Late Night Show, a top German television show with host
Thomas Gottschalk. She accepted the contract a few months later after graduating from school and decided not to try for an apprentice position at a fashion design school.
