Adriana Lima's Kids Are Growing Up To Look Just Like Her

It is no "secret" that Adriana Lima built a long and illustrious career after she first graced the stage of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show back in 1999. However, this strut across the runway would be one which would change her newly blossoming career for good, as Lima would become an official Angel only a year later. From there, the Brazilian belle quickly became one of the biggest names in the modeling industry, and spent over two decades working with the lingerie brand Victoria's Secret. Her success even led her to be crowned the face of Maybelline for six years, as well as nab the cover of GQ in April of 2006.

But it was in 2009 that Lima would take on her most important role thus far: becoming a mother to her very first baby girl. "The best job in the world for me is being a mom," the now mother of three told People, and over the years, Lima has realized just how vital it is to not only be a model for the world, but also for her children. Yet this idea of following in mom's footsteps has perhaps spread beyond just personality, as pictures of Lima's children have shown just how much they are beginning to look like her.

Two years following the birth of her daughter Valentina Lima Jarić, Adriana Lima announced that she was pregnant once again. The runway star and her then-husband, Marko Jarić, were in fact expecting another girl, and all three members of the family were bursting at the seams in anticipation for their new addition. Adriana's firstborn, Valentina, was especially excited to become a big sister. As the Victoria's Secret model gushed to People at the time, "She keeps blowing kisses to my belly and saying, 'Kisses for the baby.'"

However, it was this particular pregnancy that brought about some very particular food and drink cravings for Adriana, and this included some options that were unfortunately off limits at the time. "It's very strange because I normally don't like beer. Now I want some, but I cannot drink it," the model explained to People back in May of 2012. These cravings also consisted of an insatiable desire for crispy duck, which luckily Adriana was able to indulge in. It was then on September 12, 2012 that baby Sienna Lima Jarić was finally born.

Adriana is no stranger to pregnancy-related cravings changes. Before Valentina arrived, the model told Us Weekly that her first pregnancy basically squashed her love of chocolate. "[N]ow it just doesn't appeal to me at all. I haven't really had any since I got pregnant," she said. 

While becoming a mother has been an absolute dream come true for Adriana Lima, the model has acknowledged that it can be difficult to always put her best face forward and find the time for self-care. However, when it comes to health and wellness, she's made it a priority to set a positive example for her daughters. "I've realized that they copy a lot of what I do and my habits, and it's important for me to make sure they're copying 'good ones,'" the model shared with Vogue India (via Harper's Bazaar). "I try to teach them to love the skin they're in and eat healthily for their bodies and to also practice positive mental wellness through meditation."

One of the ways Lima takes care of herself is through physical activity, and the model trains extremely hard. "I work out like an athlete, because there is a lot of training and focus put into it," Lima told W Magazine. These workouts have definitely increased in intensity since having children of her own. While there's usually no period for rest once Lima's time at the gym is done, she continues to show up for each session because it's something that makes her feel good. She also knows that showcasing such a level of hard work and dedication is important for her girls to see, as she wants her children to understand that taking on challenges and serving your body are all good and important things.

Since discovering their mother's closet, and accidentally locking themselves inside on one occasion, Adriana Lima's daughters have become little fashionistas. Both Valentina and Sienna Lima Jarić have adopted and developed their own sense of style over the years, and are given free rein by their mother to dress however they wish. On the days that they go to school, despite having to wear a uniform, the girls still find ways to incorporate their own personal flair into their outfits. "They have uniforms for school, but they can choose their shoes. It's very funny because the uniforms are the same, but they get really picky with the socks," Adriana explained to W Magazine.

In addition to dressing themselves, Adriana says that her daughters enjoy dressing her as well, and this actually helps the model keep up to date with the latest fashion trends. She loves to see the outfits they create because each one truly reflects the personality of each girl, and for that reason, Adriana refrains from giving any suggestions or ideas during a styling session.

Now, about that time they locked themselves in their mom's closet: Adriana told W Magazine that she'd recently found her girls in her wiping down her closet. "They love makeup, and I don't know what they did, but some of it ended up on the wall and the floor," she said. "It was gone when I returned."

The moment the mother-daughter trio stepped in front of the camera with photographer Bruce Weber, Adriana Lima's eldest, Valentina Lima Jarić, discovered her own passion for modeling. "She came to me and told me straight in my face, 'I want to be a model,' Adriana told L'Officiel. "And like, okay, if that's what you want, I'll support you. I think in a few years, once she is ready, you guys will see her." Her mother explains that her first born enjoys posing for the cameras more than her other two children, and that she really gets into the whole experience which is very fun to watch. However, Adriana wants Valentina to be aware of the emotions that go into modeling as well, and that the profession entails so much more than just vanity alone.

Through her work, Adriana Lima hopes to inspire the next wave of aspiring models, which just so happens to include her own daughter. Decades into her career, Adriana continues to be featured in a number of campaigns, including one for The Icon collection by Victoria's Secret. Through this 2023 campaign, the superstar hopes to convey the message that there's no aging out of modeling. As far as she's concerned, there's nothing stopping you from following your dreams as long as you keep at them. "That's my goal and that's the reason I'm still modeling, still persisting, in being a part of the fashion industry," Adriana told People.

Teaching them the importance of self-care, perseverance, and believing in themselves above all else, Adriana Lima hopes that her children live the happiest of lives. The model once told People that no matter what they decide to do for a living, whether that's getting into the modeling industry or not, she only wishes that her kids choose a path that ultimately brings them joy. She has also acknowledged that choosing the right path can be difficult sometimes, and that she will always support them in their choices and their journeys along the way. It is more than okay to change their careers if they feel that is what's best for them.

In addition, Lima longs for her children to be fearless as they navigate life, especially when it comes to the idea of growth, both physically and emotionally. In a separate chat with People, Lima expanded on this point. "It's important for me that ... they embrace themselves and that they're not afraid to grow up or become older. Every stage of life there are different perks, experiences and things that you'll learn," she said.