DOUTZEN KROES

Doutzen Kroes: Dutch Supermodel, Actress, and Advocate​

Early Life and Background

Doutzen Kroes was born on January 23, 1985, in Eastermar, a village in the province of Friesland, Netherlands. Her mother, Geartsje Leistra, was a nurse and teacher, while her father, Johan Kroes, worked as a psychotherapist. Both parents were champion speed skaters in the 1970s, and Doutzen initially aspired to follow in their footsteps as a professional speed skater. She has a younger sister, Rens, who is a nutritionist. ​

Modeling Career

Doutzen's modeling journey began in 2003 when she sent holiday photos to Paparazzi Model Management in Amsterdam. Her natural beauty quickly caught attention, leading to assignments with major fashion houses such as Gucci, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Escada, Dolce & Gabbana, Valentino, Versace, Hugo Boss, Guerlain, Bottega Veneta, De Beers, GAP, Gianfranco Ferré, and Neiman Marcus.

In 2005, she debuted at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show and became an official Victoria's Secret Angel in 2008, a role she held until 2014. Her prominence in the modeling industry was further solidified when she became a brand ambassador for L'Oréal Paris in 2006, a position she has maintained for years. ​

Doutzen has graced the covers of numerous international magazines, including Vogue, Time, Harper's Bazaar, Elle, Marie Claire, Glamour, W, Dazed & Confused, and Numéro. In 2013, she made history by becoming the first model to appear on four different international Vogue September issue covers in a single year. ​

Acting Pursuits

Expanding her career into acting, Doutzen made her film debut in the Dutch 3D historical drama "Nova Zembla" (2011), portraying Catharina Plancius. She gained international recognition for her role as the Amazonian warrior Venelia in the DC Extended Universe films "Wonder Woman" (2017), "Justice League" (2017), and "Wonder Woman 1984" (2020). To prepare for these physically demanding roles, she underwent intensive training in horseback riding, combat skills, and strength conditioning.

Personal Life

In 2010, Doutzen married Dutch DJ Sunnery James Gorré. The couple has two children: a son, Phyllon Joy Gorré, born in January 2011, and a daughter, Myllena Mae Gorré, born in July 2014. ​

After years of a demanding modeling career, Doutzen chose to take a step back to focus on her family and personal growth. She has expressed a more relaxed approach to beauty and aging, emphasizing self-care and self-love. 

Advocacy and Philanthropy

Beyond her professional endeavors, Doutzen is actively involved in philanthropic work. She supports organizations like Dance4Life, a Dutch nonprofit that educates youth about HIV/AIDS prevention through music and dance. Additionally, she is an advocate for wildlife conservation, collaborating with the World Wildlife Fund to promote environmental awareness. 

Doutzen Kroes continues to inspire many with her multifaceted career, balancing her roles as a supermodel, actress, mother, and advocate for meaningful causes.​