Valentina Sampaio is a Brazilian supermodel, actor, and activist who has broken some of the biggest barriers for transgender representation in international fashion.
Born in Ceará, Brazil, Sampaio grew up far from the glamorous fashion capitals where she would eventually build her career. Today, she is internationally recognized not only for her modeling work but also for being an openly transgender woman who has repeatedly made history.
Her journey has taken her from a small community in Brazil to Vogue covers, international fashion campaigns, Sports Illustrated, and the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.
Growing Up in Brazil
Sampaio grew up in Aquiraz, Ceará, on Brazil's northeastern coast.
She has spoken openly about being transgender and about understanding herself as a girl from childhood. In an early Brazilian interview, she explained that being transgender felt natural to her and that she had always seen herself as a girl.
Her path into modeling developed later while she was studying fashion in Fortaleza.
People frequently asked whether she was a model, and eventually she decided to try it professionally.
What started with photoshoots eventually developed into runway work and an international career.
Making Vogue History
One of the biggest moments of Sampaio's career came in 2017.
She appeared on the cover of Vogue Paris, becoming the first openly transgender model to appear on a Vogue cover.
It was an important moment not only for Sampaio but also for transgender visibility within an industry that had traditionally offered very limited opportunities to openly transgender models.
Her career continued growing afterward.
Sampaio went on to appear in editions of Vogue around the world and work with internationally recognized fashion and beauty brands.
Breaking Another Barrier With Victoria's Secret
Sampaio made another major breakthrough in 2019 when she became the first openly transgender model to work with Victoria's Secret.
For a model who had grown up admiring Brazilian Victoria's Secret stars, the opportunity carried personal meaning.
But Sampaio also understood that the achievement represented something larger.
She spoke publicly about hoping the opportunity would encourage greater inclusion and representation throughout fashion.
Her relationship with the company continued, and in 2024 Sampaio reached another milestone when she became one of the first transgender women to walk in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.
Making History With Sports Illustrated
Another barrier fell in 2020.
Sampaio became the first transgender model featured in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
By this point, she was becoming known for a remarkable series of firsts.
But Sampaio has consistently emphasized that these accomplishments are not meaningful only because they advance her own career.
She sees representation as something that can create opportunities for people who come after her.
Working With Major Fashion Brands
Sampaio's career extends far beyond historic firsts.
She has appeared in international campaigns and worked with major names in fashion and beauty, including L'Oréal, Dior Beauty, H&M, Marc Jacobs Beauty, Moschino and Balmain.
She has also appeared on numerous international magazine covers.
Her success demonstrates something important: a transgender model does not have to be treated simply as a special diversity casting.
Sampaio has built a genuine international fashion career.
Using Her Platform for Transgender People
Sampaio is also outspoken about the challenges transgender people face.
She has discussed discrimination she experienced early in her career, including losing a modeling opportunity after people involved discovered she was transgender.
Instead of allowing those experiences to silence her, she decided to use her growing visibility to advocate for greater acceptance.
She has worked with organizations and initiatives supporting LGBTQ+ people and has spoken particularly strongly about conditions facing transgender people in Brazil.
For Sampaio, visibility is connected to opportunity.
She has argued that transgender people deserve access to ordinary jobs, education, dignity, safety and the freedom to build their lives.
Proudly Representing Brazil
Sampaio's Brazilian identity remains an important part of her story.
She came from Ceará and entered an international industry where openly transgender models had very few examples to follow.
Instead of hiding her identity as her career grew, she has spoken publicly about being transgender and used her achievements to call for greater acceptance.
That openness makes her an important person in the history of transgender representation in fashion.
More Than a Fashion First
It would be easy to describe Valentina Sampaio simply by listing everything she was the first to accomplish.
First transgender model on a Vogue cover.
First openly transgender model to work with Victoria's Secret.
First transgender model featured in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
And later, one of the first transgender women to walk the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.
But her larger story is about what happens after those doors finally open.
Sampaio has continued building her career while advocating for a fashion industry and society where the next transgender model will not always have to be described as a first.
Her success sends a simple message: transgender people belong in fashion, entertainment, workplaces and public life just like everyone else.
Valentina Sampaio has helped turn that message into something millions of people around the world can see.