What separates a random runway chick at a fashion show from a diva who deigns to stride in at the end? What makes a model super?

The price tag, of course. Forbes has just released its 2007 list of the highest earning supermodels in the world. Here's a look at the five ladies with the staggering figures -- and the fattest paychecks.

1. Gisele Bundchen, $33 million

Wow. Starring in the latest U2 video, Leonardo DiCaprio's onetime lover leads the pack by far, with a $5 million contract for lingerie giant Victoria's Secret keeping her numbers enviable -- a far cry from the girl who used to be likened to Popeye's scrawny girlfriend Olive Oyl when in school.

The curvy 5'11" Brazilian is better known than most designer brands she works with. And coincidentally, she just turned 27 today, July 20.

Text: Raja Sen
Photographs: Getty Images

Earlier slide show: Shilpa Shetty and the London Taj

Next