Fans are eager to know more about Victoria’s Secret angel Candice Swanepoel, who walked in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2025 after a gap of seven years. The South African model’s comeback will be celebrated by her two kids, Anacan and Ariel Nicoli. She had these two kids in 2016 and 2018 with ex-boyfriend and model, Hermann Nicoli.
Swanepoel was discovered at the age of 15 by a model scout, and she quickly went on to walk runways and become a modelling star. Two years after she turned to a modelling career, she met Nicoli in 2005 through a gig in Paris. They started dating soon, and Nicoli was with Swanepoel throughout her major achievements, including her becoming the youngest Victoria’s Secret angel.
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Their age difference of six years didn’t affect their relationship, as they were engaged in 2015 after a decade-long romance. Flaunting a massive sparkling ring, she wrote on Instagram in 2015, “Meu eterno namorado”, which translates to “My boyfriend forever” (via PEOPLE).
At the time of their engagement, the VS model was 27 and Nicoli was 33. The next year, the couple announced the birth of their first child, Anacan. On June 19, 2018, she welcomed a second child with Nicoli, son Ariel. However, Swanepoel’s manifestation that this relationship would last forever didn’t work.
It was reported that Swanepoel and Nicoli went their separate ways soon after the birth of their second child. According to Nicki Swift, fans first got the hint of their breakup after they unfollowed each other on social media. In 2019, Swanepoel revealed in an Instagram Q&A that she was single, confirming her split from Nicoli.
They maintained a low profile after the split and didn’t really talk about their issues in the media. They continue to co-parent their two kids. Swanepoel reportedly moved on and dated actor Andrés Velencoso for some time (via Us Weekly). In 2023, the blonde bombshell was also romantically linked to Harry Styles (via r/Fauxmoi). It appears that the supermodel is currently single.
All About Candice Swanepoel’s Two Kids, Anacan and Ariel
While things didn’t work out between her and Hermann Nicoli, Candice Swanepoel appears to be enjoying motherhood. After Anacan’s birth on October 5, 2016, she had this to say on 2017 Mother’s Day: “What a gift and precious responsibility it is to bring a new soul into the world. To love and teach to love just the same. My life definitely started over on the day I met my baby” (via Instagram).
Her first son’s name, Anacan, was inspired by Nicoli’s native Brazil. She shared about the name, “It’s an indigenous name from the Amazon. I’ve always been amazed by the Indian culture of Brazil” (via PEOPLE). In the same interview, she shared that the best part of motherhood was “everything.”
In June 2018, she welcomed Ariel with Nicoli. She wrote on her Instagram, “I am a lucky woman to be their mommy, to help guide them through this thing called life. Now they will always have each other Anacan & Ariel.” She updated us on how the two brothers were getting along, sharing that Anacan was an “amazing big brother” and that he was “kissing [Ariel] all the time” (via PEOPLE). She shared:
It’s funny because he doesn’t know how to deal with the love. And you know when you think something is really cute and you just want to squeeze it? He doesn’t know how to process that yet.
On Ariel’s 4th birthday, Swanepoel took to Instagram to share that her second son is “so cool, so strong, so carefree, funny and loving.” She called him a “little lion boy”, sharing, “He makes me smile and laugh and learn every day.”
While Swanepoel shared that she wouldn’t want her children to pursue a career in modelling unless they are confident in it, both Anacan and Ariel have appeared alongside their mommy in front of the camera. Anacan joined Swanepoel for the 2017 Gap campaign called Every Mother Counts (via Vogue). He was styled in a striped outfit and a red baseball cap.
Ariel recently appeared with his model mom for a shoot for Vogue‘s winter 2025 issue. She took to Instagram with pictures from the shoot, writing, “Brought a little extra sunshine to work that day.” The photos showed that Ariel nailed his first modelling gig.
Candice Swanepoel Net Worth: How Much Did She Make From Her Modelling Career?
Candice Swanepoel built her image as a farm girl/tomboy-turned-supermodel. As a kid who grew up in Natal, South Africa, she did all the daily chores on her family’s dairy farm. She attended St. Anne’s Diocesan College in Hilton and was more of a dancer during this time. She was soon discovered by a model scout during her visit to a flea market in Dublin.
Within a short span, she did some local shoots and runway shows in South Africa. She later built her career in Europe and collaborated with Dolce & Gabbana, Tommy Hilfiger, and Givenchy. In 2007, she debuted for Victoria’s Secret as a model. By 2010, she was promoted to the status of Victoria’s Secret Angel.
She grew as one of the highest-paid models in the industry by the mid-2010s. During this time, Swanepoel was earning anywhere between $5 million and $7 million annually. Her most iconic moment on the runway was when she wore a $10 million bra for Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2013.
throw back to the vsfs 2013 opening when candice swanepoel invented walking pic.twitter.com/bFUZW2LxqD
In 2018, she became an entrepreneur by starting her own swimwear brand, Tropic of C. Her company has collaborated with some big names, including Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS, Kanye West’s Yeezy, and Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty Vol. 4. According to Just Jared, the model has an estimated net worth of $25 million.
What do you think of her relationship with Hermann Nicoli? Let us know in the comments below!
