Adriana Lima Closes Out 2023 with a Throwback of Her First Modeling Polaroid at Age 15

Adriana Lima enters the new year with gratitude for her early career.

The Victoria’s Secret model and mom (42) shared a photo of her first Polaroid for models on New Year’s Eve on her Instagram story.

The picture was taken when she was 15 years old, just as she started her modeling career. In the video, young Lima shines in a white T-shirt with long dark hair swept to one side.

Below the photo is cursive handwriting that reads “Adriana” and then additional text that can be seen on her story indicating her age.

Adriana Lima in her first model polaroid at the age of 15.

Adriana Lima/Instagram

Lima spent nearly 20 years as a model for Victoria’s Secret before announcing her retirement from the company in 2018.

Fast forward five years, and Lima has reunited with the brand as the face of its new Heavenly Eau de Parfum 2023 campaign.

In addition to modeling, Lima also has two daughters with ex-husband Marko Jarić and a son with boyfriend Andre Lemmers, and also helps raise Lemmers’ two children from a previous relationship.

Adriana Lima 2023.

Hannes Magerstaedt/Getty

Adriana Lima responds to negative comments about her appearance after the birth of a child: ‘Thank you for your concern’

Lima’s memory of the holiday season comes after its opening Harper’s Bazaar Arabia about a recent red carpet appearance that she said “shocked” her.

While attending the premiere of the film in Los Angeles The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and SnakesLima drew criticism for her appearance, and although she said the criticism itself didn’t bother her – she didn’t feel like herself afterwards.

“It didn’t bother me at all,” Lima said of the negative attention she received. “I’m very strong that way, and honestly, I looked at myself before I went out and I felt great. I was with my children, and they looked at me and said: ‘Mom! You look so beautiful!'”

Adriana Lima at the premiere of ‘Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes’.

Steve Granitz/FilmMagic

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

She walked the red carpet in a black miniskirt with red details and pointe heels with Lemmers and her daughters Sienna (11) and Valentina (14), who she shares with her ex Jarić. They were joined at the event by Lemmers’ two children, Miah and Lupo.

Her appearance caused a number of negative comments, including suggestions that she had recently undergone cosmetic procedures. She admitted Harper’s Bazaar Arabia that there was a “strange” reference to the photographs.

“I was like ‘that’s not me,'” the model recalled. “Everything was strange because I don’t see myself that way. I still don’t see myself that way… you can see yourself differently.”

“I wasn’t offended or anything, but I was laughing,” she continued. “The point is that I am not 16 years old. I started modeling when I was 16, but I will never be 16 again. I am 42 years old and the happiest in my life; happiest with herself. I accept my age and I will not change for anyone.”

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education