Vendela Maria Kirsebom (born January 12, 1967) is a Swedish-Norwegian supermodel. Born in Stockholm, Sweden to a Norwegian mother and a Turkish father, Kirsebom was discovered in Sweden at age 13 while eating in a restaurant with her parents. By the age of 18, she graduated from the Rudolf Steiner School and moved to Italy to pursue a career in modeling under the guidance of the famous Ford Models. After a contract with Elizabeth Arden, Vendela moved to the US where she began working as Almay's spokesperson.

Vendela has since had a very successful career. The companies she has represented include Elizabeth Arden, Revlon Lasting fragrance, Lay's potato chips, Barbour, Diesel Jeans, Hanes Underwear, JH Collectibles, Lipton's Tea, Mikimoto, and Victoria's Secret.

Vendela's splendor has also been displayed on the magazine covers of Bride's US, Flare Canada, Shape US, FHM UK, and Zest US. She has also been featured multiple times in the pages of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.

In 1996 she married the Norwegian politician Olaf Thommesen and later moved to Oslo, Norway, where the couple lives today with their two daughters, Julie and Hannah. Vendela still is a very active figure in the international model community, and also acts as goodwill ambassador for UNICEF.

--Wikipedia