Valeria Mazza

When it comes to Argentinian supermodels, none is more famous or influential than Valeria Mezza. In a career that has now spanned more than 35 years, she has established herself as her the most important model her country has ever produced. Today, she works as a model, actress, presenter, and entrepreneur. She has launched eponymous eyewear and interior design brands and is a tireless ambassador for good causes, working with the likes of UNICEF, the Special Olympics, the World Tourist Organisation, and hospitals and charities around Buenos Aires. She has nearly 550,000 Instagram followers with whom she regularly engages.

Mezza was born in the city of Rosario — also the birthplace of figures as diverse as Che Guevara and Lionel Messi. Mezza is, however, arguably the most famous woman to come from the city. She grew up 2,000 km north in Parana Entre Rios and became a model when she was 14 years old. Her major breakthrough, however, came in the mid-1990s when she appeared on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimwear Issue in 1996 along with fellow supermodel Tyra Banks. She went on to model for the likes of Versace and Roberto Cavalli. She also acted in film and television and is a regular guest on Argentinian talkshows.

Although many models end up living in New York, Mezza has remained in Argentina, living in Buenos Aires with her family. Two of her four children have already followed her into modelling.