Helena Christensen young began modeling at age 9, moved to Paris after school, and became a 1990s supermodel known for her Danish and Peruvian heritage . Her breakout moment came in 1989 with Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game” video, which helped define her career .
Helena Christensen young was born on December 25, 1968, in Copenhagen, Denmark . Her father was Danish and her mother was Peruvian, a mix that gave her what Vogue described as a “real exotic quality” and “a real combination of Latin and European” . This distinctive look set her apart from other models of her era and helped launch her international career.
She began modeling at the age of 9, though her initial interests leaned toward music . After finishing school, she moved to Paris to model for the French magazine Elle . In 1986, she competed in the Miss Universe contest as Miss Denmark, though she did not receive a placing .
Her career breakthrough arrived in 1989 when photographer Friedemann Hauss discovered her and recognized her natural modeling ability . That same year, she starred in Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game” music video, directed by Herb Ritts and filmed in black and white in Hawaii . The video’s impact was significant, winning Best Male Video, Best Cinematography, and Best Video from a Film at the 1991 MTV Video Music Awards .
The “Wicked Game” video became a defining cultural moment of the early 1990s. It ranked #13 on VH1’s 100 Greatest Videos and #4 on VH1’s 50 Sexiest Video Moments . Vogue later noted that the video “went on to be voted MTV’s sexiest video ever” . This exposure positioned Christensen among the most recognizable faces of her generation.
During the 1990s supermodel era, Christensen built a substantial portfolio. She appeared on covers of Vogue, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, and W, and worked with brands including Revlon, Chanel, Versace, Prada, and Karl Lagerfeld . In 1992, she became a spokesmodel for Revlon cosmetics . By 1996, she was cited alongside Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford, and others as one of the “Magnificent Seven” supermodel legends .
Christensen was one of the original Victoria’s Secret Angels. Vogue Australia confirmed that in 1998, she received the Angel contract alongside Tyra Banks, Stephanie Seymour, and Daniela Pestova . She also appeared in Victoria’s Secret catalogs and television commercials during this period . Her work with the brand coincided with the rise of the Angel concept as a major cultural phenomenon.
Beyond modeling, Christensen pursued photography with serious dedication. Her work has appeared in Nylon, Marie Claire, and ELLE . In 1999, she co-founded Nylon magazine, serving as creative director and using the role to explore her creative passions . Her exhibitions include “A Quiet Story” (2006) and “Far From, Close” (2008-09), the latter benefiting the International Center of Photography and Chernobyl Children’s Project International .
Her most significant photographic project was “Meltdown” in 2009, created in partnership with Oxfam . Christensen traveled to Pacchanta, a village in Peru, to document how climate change affected local alpaca herders and farmers . The exhibition opened at London’s Proud Gallery and later traveled to the United Nations in New York . Christensen told the BBC she hoped to show how “an amazing part of history” could be lost .Helena Christensen Quick Bio
Note on Net Worth: Figures are estimates from celebrity wealth tracking sites and are not officially confirmed by Christensen or her representatives.
Note on Age: As of the current date (October 2026), Christensen is 57 years old .
Christensen’s humanitarian work extended to refugee advocacy. She was appointed a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador in 2019 after four years of dedicated support . In 2023, she traveled to Colombia with UNHCR, meeting indigenous Wounaan people and Venezuelan refugees . She has used her photography and public platform to tell stories of forcibly displaced people, publishing features in British Vogue and Vogue Scandinavia .
Her design and business ventures include launching Christensen & Sigersen with friend Leif Sigersen, creating a lingerie collection for Triumph in 2012, and serving as Global Artistic Director for the Danish furniture brand BoConcept . In 2017, she joined Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, and Carla Bruni to close the Versace spring/summer 2018 show, an homage to the late Gianni Versace and supermodel history .
Christensen’s trajectory from young model in Denmark to global icon reflects both timing and versatility. She entered the industry during a moment when supermodels became cultural figures with recognizable personalities, and her Danish-Peruvian heritage provided a distinct visual identity . Unlike peers who remained primarily within fashion, she built a parallel career in photography and humanitarian work that gave her public presence a different dimension.
Her early experiences in Denmark shaped her perspective on the industry. She told Vogue, “I started in Denmark, and it’s completely different from here. They don’t really care about it. In Denmark, it’s easy and cool, you just do it and it’s nothing special about it” . This grounding may have contributed to the longevity and breadth of her later career choices.
Today, Christensen’s legacy includes her modeling work, her photography, and her advocacy. The “Wicked Game” video remains a touchstone of early 1990s popular culture, and her Meltdown exhibition demonstrated how a fashion platform could be redirected toward environmental awareness . Her UNHCR role continues her commitment to using visibility for humanitarian purposes .
How old was Helena Christensen when she started modeling?
Helena Christensen began modeling at age 9, though she was initially more interested in becoming a musician. After finishing school, she moved to Paris to model for the French magazine Elle. Her big break came in June 1989 when photographer Friedemann Hauss discovered her and recognized her natural talent.
What was Helena Christensen’s breakout moment?
Her career-defining moment came in 1989 with Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game” music video, directed by Herb Ritts and filmed in black and white in Hawaii. The video was voted MTV’s sexiest video ever and became a cultural touchstone of the early 1990s. This exposure cemented her place among the era’s top supermodels.
What did Helena Christensen do after modeling?
Christensen built a respected career as a photographer. In 2009, she partnered with Oxfam for the “Meltdown” exhibition, documenting climate change impacts on alpaca herders in Pacchanta, Peru. The exhibition premiered at the United Nations in New York and later opened at London’s Proud Gallery. She also co-founded Nylon magazine in 1999 as its original creative director.
What is Helena Christensen’s role with the UN?
Christensen was appointed a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador in 2019 after four years of dedicated support. In April 2023, she traveled to Colombia, meeting indigenous Wounaan people and Venezuelan refugees. She uses her photography to tell stories of forcibly displaced people, publishing features in British Vogue and Vogue Scandinavia.
Was Helena Christensen a Victoria’s Secret Angel?
Yes, she was one of the original Victoria’s Secret Angels in the 1990s, alongside Tyra Banks, Stephanie Seymour, and Daniela Pestova. She appeared in Victoria’s Secret catalogs and television commercials during the brand’s rise as a cultural phenomenon. Her work with the brand coincided with the Angel concept becoming a major part of 1990s pop culture.
