Brief Introduction of Doutzen Kroes
Doutzen Kroes is a world-renowned Dutch model, actress, philanthropist, and activist who rose to global fame as a Victoria’s Secret Angel. Born and raised in the Netherlands, she embarked on her modeling career in 2003 and quickly became a prominent figure in the fashion industry. Her striking features and professional dedication led her to grace the covers of numerous prestigious magazines, including Vogue, Elle, and Harper’s Bazaar. Kroes became a brand ambassador for L’Oréal Paris in 2006 and was officially named a Victoria’s Secret Angel in 2008, a title she held until 2014. Consistently ranked among the world’s top-earning models by Forbes, her influence extends beyond the runway. She has also ventured into acting and is a passionate advocate for various causes, using her significant platform to encourage positive change.
Doutzen Kroes Overview
| Full Name | Doutzen Kroes |
| Date of Birth | January 23, 1985 |
| Age(as of 2025) | 40 |
| Birthplace | Eastermar, Friesland, Netherlands |
| Profession | Model, Actress, Philanthropist |
| Husband/Wife | Sunnery James Gorré (m. 2010) |
| Family | Johan Kroes (Father), Geartsje Leistra (Mother), Rens Kroes (Sister), Phyllon Joy Gorré (Son), Myllena Mae Gorré (Daughter) |
| Relationship/Affairs(GF/BF) | Sunnery James Gorré |
| Net Worth | Estimated to be $35 million |
Early Life and Education of Doutzen Kroes
Doutzen Kroes was born on January 23, 1985, in the small village of Eastermar in the province of Friesland, Netherlands. Her mother, Geartsje Leistra, worked as a nurse and later as a teacher, while her father, Johan Kroes, was a psychotherapist. In the 1970s, both of her parents were champion speed skaters, and this athletic background influenced Kroes’s early aspirations; as a young girl, she dreamed of becoming a professional speed skater herself. Growing up, she described herself as a “tomboy” and had not seriously considered a career in modeling. Kroes was raised in a rural Dutch environment and is a native speaker of the West Frisian language, a passion she continues to support. She has a younger sister named Rens, who is a nutritionist. After completing her high school education (HAVO), she took a step that would change her life’s trajectory by sending her own snapshots to a modeling agency in Amsterdam.
Doutzen Kroes’s Career
Doutzen Kroes’s foray into the modeling world was self-initiated. In 2003, after finishing school, she sent photographs to the Paparazzi Model Management agency in Amsterdam, hoping to earn some extra money. Her natural beauty and potential were immediately recognized, and her career quickly took off. She was soon sent to New York, where she was cast by the lingerie giant Victoria’s Secret. Her career ascended rapidly; by 2005, readers of Vogue.com had voted her “Model of The Year”. This was followed by a major milestone in 2006 when she signed a significant contract with L’Oréal Paris, becoming one of their brand ambassadors.
Her status as a top model was solidified in May 2007 when she appeared on the cover of American Vogue, alongside other rising stars, as one of the “World’s Next Top Models”. The following year, in August 2008, Victoria’s Secret officially confirmed her as their newest Angel, making her the second Dutch model to hold the prestigious title. Her first campaign as an Angel was for the “Supermodel Obsessions” line. For years, Kroes was a fixture in the annual Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, walking from 2005 to 2014, with the exception of 2007. Her work with Victoria’s Secret and L’Oréal, combined with numerous high-fashion campaigns for brands like Gucci, Tommy Hilfiger, Versace, Valentino, and Calvin Klein, cemented her position as one of the industry’s most successful models.
In a historic achievement, in September 2013, Kroes became the first model to appear on the covers of four different international editions of Vogue in a single month. Her earning power reflected her success; since 2008, Forbes consistently listed her as one of the world’s highest-paid models, with her annual income often exceeding $5 million. In 2014, she was ranked second on the Forbes list, with estimated earnings of $8 million for that year. That same year, she announced her departure from Victoria’s Secret to pursue other opportunities. In 2016, she became the spokesmodel for the Dutch lingerie brand Hunkemöller, for which she also released her own collection line, ‘Doutzen’s Stories’.
Beyond modeling, Kroes has also pursued an acting career. She took acting classes in New York City for several years and made her debut in the 2011 film “Nova Zembla,” the first Dutch 3D movie. She later gained international recognition for her role as the Amazon warrior Venelia in the 2017 superhero film “Wonder Woman”.
Doutzen Kroes Personal Life & Family
Doutzen Kroes has been in a long-term relationship with Dutch DJ and producer Sunnery James Gorré. The couple began dating in 2009 and married on November 7, 2010, in her hometown of Eastermar in an intimate ceremony with close friends and family. Instead of wedding gifts, they requested that guests donate to the charities Dance4Life and the World Wildlife Fund.
They have two children together. Their son, Phyllon Joy Gorré, was born in January 2011. Their daughter, Myllena Mae Gorré, followed in July 2014. Kroes has expressed a desire for her daughter to have aspirations beyond beauty and modeling, emphasizing the importance of intelligence and the potential for women to achieve powerful positions, such as becoming president. The family splits their time between New York and Amsterdam.
Kroes is also a dedicated philanthropist and activist. She is actively involved with the non-profit organization Dance4Life, which uses music and dance to educate young people about HIV and AIDS prevention. A proud native of Friesland, she is also an ambassador for the “Praat mar Frysk” (“Just speak Frisian”) campaign, which aims to promote her mother tongue.
Awards and Achievements of Doutzen Kroes
- Voted “Model of The Year” by Vogue.com readers (2005).
- Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as part of the Victoria’s Secret Angels (2007).
- Awarded the Frisian Press Prize for her work promoting the Frisian language (2007).
- Honored with a wax figure at Madame Tussauds in Amsterdam (2008).
- Received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Dutch Model Awards (2009).
- Became the first model in history to appear on four international Vogue September issue covers in the same month (2013).
- Recognized as one of the “New Supers” by Models.com.
Doutzen Kroes Net Worth and Income
As of 2025, Doutzen Kroes’s net worth is estimated to be around $35 million. Her substantial wealth has been accumulated through a highly successful and long-standing modeling career. For over a decade, she has been recognized by Forbes as one of the top-earning models in the world. Her income sources are diverse and include lucrative contracts with major brands. One of her most significant and long-term partnerships has been with L’Oréal Paris, for which she has been a brand ambassador since 2006. Her role as a Victoria’s Secret Angel from 2008 to 2014 was another major source of income, with her annual earnings during that period consistently being in the multi-millions. In 2014 alone, she reportedly earned an estimated $8 million. Kroes has also fronted campaigns for a plethora of high-end fashion and beauty brands, including Calvin Klein, H&M, Tiffany & Co., and Hunkemöller, further bolstering her income. Her ventures into acting have also contributed to her overall net worth.
Legacy and Influence
Doutzen Kroes’s legacy in the fashion industry is marked by both her commercial success and her unique, athletic beauty, which stood out in an era often dominated by waif-like models. She is often described as one of the “New Supers,” a testament to her enduring influence and iconic status. Her historic achievement of gracing four international Vogue September covers in a single month highlights her global appeal and impact. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Kroes has leveraged her fame for philanthropic endeavors. She is a global ambassador for Knot on My Planet, an initiative to protect elephants from poaching and the ivory trade, a cause she feels has given her career a deeper purpose. She has used her massive social media platform to raise awareness and funds for this and other causes like Dance4Life. Kroes is also a proud advocate for her Frisian heritage, actively promoting her native language. Her public image has also been shaped by her willingness to speak her mind on social issues, which has both garnered support and generated controversy, cementing her reputation as a model with a voice.
Interesting Facts about Doutzen Kroes
- Before modeling, her childhood ambition was to be a professional speed skater, following in the footsteps of her parents who were champion speed skaters.
- She is a native speaker of West Frisian and actively participates in campaigns to promote the language.
- In 2006, a documentary was made about a week in her life as a model during Milan Fashion Week.
- There is a wax figure of her at the Madame Tussauds museum in Amsterdam.
- She wrote a monthly column about her life for the Dutch edition of Marie Claire from November 2009 to July 2010.
- She enjoys water sports such as surfing and sailing, as well as ice skating.
- Kroes had reportedly never heard of Victoria’s Secret before she was scouted to work for the brand.
Controversies
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Doutzen Kroes became a subject of controversy due to her public stance on vaccines and related mandates. In September 2021, she stated on her Instagram account that she would “not be forced to take the shot,” referring to the COVID-19 vaccine. This announcement generated significant backlash and public debate. She later defended her position, stating she was protecting her right to decide what she puts into her body and that she wanted to let others with similar views know they were not alone. In November 2021, she shared a video containing conspiracy theories about the vaccines. Kroes also faced criticism for applying for government compensation for loss of income due to the pandemic while simultaneously spreading what was considered misinformation. Her outspokenness on these issues marked a significant shift in her public image and led to a period where she stepped back from the fashion world.
Social Media Presence
- Instagram – Information not disclosed
- Twitter – Information not disclosed
- YouTube – Information not disclosed
Final Words about Doutzen Kroes
Doutzen Kroes remains an influential figure, navigating a career that has evolved from the heights of the fashion world to a more personal and outspoken platform. After a period of withdrawal from the public eye following controversies surrounding her social views, she has recently made a return to the fashion scene. She has appeared on the catwalk for Chloé and graced the cover of Vogue Netherlands, explaining that her break was a form of rebellion against a feeling of not having a voice within the industry. Her journey reflects a desire to find deeper purpose, channeling her influence into activism for causes like elephant conservation with Knot on My Planet. Looking forward, Kroes seems intent on balancing her revived modeling career with her family life and her commitment to using her platform for causes she believes in. Her legacy will likely be defined not only by her iconic status as a supermodel but also by her complex and public evolution as a woman who chose to speak her truth, for better or worse, in a world that often prefers its models to be silent.