Danish-born Christensen was one of the top supermodels of the 1990s. Now semi-retired, she's branched out into photography, design, and activism.

Half-Danish, half-Peruvian Christensen hit the big time at 18 when she won the title of Miss Denmark and represented her country in the Miss Universe pageant. She then began modeling in Paris, with spreads in French Elle and British Vogue quickly catapulting her to supermodel status. Christensen was almost impossible to miss in the 1990s, gaining widespread exposure as a Victoria's Secret model and memorably romping topless in the surf in Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game" video.

Since her semi-retirement in 1999, Christensen has focused on other pursuits: photography, serving as creative director for pop-culture/fashion magazine Nylon, and creating a clothing line. But by most accounts, she's surprisingly well-adjusted for a supermodel. She has been active in charity work in recent years, focusing especially on animal rights, fair trade, and support for victims of the Chernobyl disaster.

Christensen was married for several years to actor/model Norman Reedus; the marriage produced a son, Mingus, but ended in 2003. She had a long-term relationship with the late INXS singer Michael Hutchence, and has been linked at various times to Leonardo DiCaprio, Billy Corgan, and Josh Hartnett. (She was also reportedly one of several women Heath Ledger was seeing when he died.) [Image via AP]