Brazilian model Caroline Ribeiro, who is turning 24 today, is back on the runway after her four-season maternity leave. At the end of March this year she gave birth to baby boy Joao Phillippe.

Despite all the criticism about her flaws, like non-perfect teeth and lack of curves, Caroline had never got discouraged, and her exotic beauty -- that blends her Portuguese and Amazonian Indian heritage - was finally appreciated and has made Ribeiro a world-famous model.

Her modeling career started after she came first in the Dakota-Elite Model Contest. Her unique look made her Tom Ford’s “favorite model” resulting in her successful work with Gucci. In June 1999, Caroline Ribeiro Magalhaes was signed by Marilyn Agency. She has done work with Victoria’s Secret and gained a title of the Revlon Girl, accompanied by a $6 million contract.

Valentino, Louis Vuitton and Chanel paid a pricely sum for Caroline's presence in their ad campaigns as well as runway shows. With her fame growing, she began appearing in such magazines as Vogue (Italy and America), where she worked with world-famous photographers Mario Testino and Steven Meisel.