Anja Rubik: Supermodel who inspired Rihanna, still shining at 41

For years, Anja Rubik has been one of the most popular and acclaimed supermodels in the world. She has participated in thousands of shows and photo sessions for the most prestigious fashion houses. On June 12, the model turned 41. What did she look like at the beginning of her career?

Anja Rubik participated in the Elite Model Look contest when she was just 13. She then joined the Elite Model Look agency and systematically built her career in the modeling industry. Today, the supermodel from Poland is considered one of the biggest stars on international runways.

Over the years, she has collaborated with major fashion houses, participating in advertising campaigns for brands such as Chanel, Gucci, Ralph Lauren, Dior, Valentino, and Versace. She walked in shows for top designers like Karl Lagerfeld, Marc Jacobs, Vera Wang, Alexander McQueen, and Oscar de la Renta. She has appeared on the cover of "Vogue" over 40 times.

However, Anja Rubik does not limit herself solely to modeling. She has been actively involved in social activities for years, addressing issues such as sexual education for young people. In 2017, she published her textbook "#sexedpl. Anja Rubik's Talks on Growing Up, Love, and Sex", which quickly became a bestseller in Poland.

In 2018, with psychologist and sexologist Barbara Baran she established the Sexed.pl Foundation, which promotes accurate knowledge about sexual education. The foundation conducts social campaigns, publishes a report on sexuality created with experts, and launches a special anti-violence helpline where victims can receive advice and support.

Rubik is active on social media and occasionally shares old photos with her fans. One shows what the supermodel looked like at the beginning of her career.

"One of my first test sessions was when I was 15. Yes... I shaved my eyebrows because I thought it was grunge, and I was a big fan of Marilyn Manson," she wrote.

The supermodel is an inspiration to women all over the world. At one point in her career, Rubik decided to significantly shorten her hair, and as she confessed in an interview, her radical makeover so impressed Rihanna that she followed suit.

"Rihanna approached me and said that she cut her hair because I cut my hair very short once. She cut her hair because of me," the model recalled.

Privately, Anja Rubik was married to Serbian model Sasha Knezevic for several years. The couple married on July 16, 2011, in Mallorca, and in 2016, they confirmed their separation. In an interview, she admitted that their separation was not due to a specific event.

"Our paths started to diverge significantly. I wanted something different from life; he wanted something different. We went our separate ways and separated for a long time because we still liked each other. We still respected each other as people. It was a sad decision but necessary because we were unhappy," she said.