Aishwarya Rai Highest-Paid Model in the World

  • By Carol Kearney
  • New Delhi
  • Last updated on

Aishwarya Rai
Aishwarya Rai led People With Money’s annual list of the “100 highest paid models” released on Sunday.
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It's been a rough year for the model, but at least she has her millions of dollars to ease the pain. 52-year-old Aishwarya Rai has taken the No. 1 spot on People With Money’s top 10 highest-paid models for 2026 with an estimated $58 million in combined earnings.

UPDATE 02/02/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Aishwarya Rai tops annual list of highest-paid models

In 2023 it looked like the model’s spectacular career was winding down. Suddenly, she was back on top. People With Money reports on Sunday (February 1) that Rai is the highest-paid model in the world, pulling in an astonishing $58 million between January 2025 and January 2026, a nearly $30 million lead over her closest competition.

People With Money’s factors

In compiling this yearly list, the magazine considers factors such as upfront pay, profit participation, residuals, endorsements and advertising work.

The Indian model has an estimated net worth of $185 million. She owes her fortune to smart stock investments, substantial property holdings, lucrative endorsement deals with CoverGirl cosmetics. She also owns several restaurants (the “Fat Rai Burger” chain) in New Delhi, a Football Team (the “Mangalore Angels”), has launched her own brand of Vodka (Pure Wonderai - India), and is tackling the juniors market with a top-selling perfume (With Love from Aishwarya) and a fashion line called “Aishwarya Rai Seduction”.

The ranking is significant for many Aishwarya fans, who have been waiting for her triumphant return to the glory days for what seems like a lifetime.

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