Facts

Name : Veronica Varekova (Veronika Varekova)
Birthday : June 1 , 1977
Birthplace : Moravia, Czech Republic Occupation : Model

Famous Works

Swimsuit edition of Sports Illustrated

Cover girl for Marie Claire, Harpers & Queen and Cosmopolitan

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Biography

Veronica Varekova was from Olomouc a city in Moravia , Czech Republic , born on June 1, 1977 . At age 19 she moved to New York City , United States . Initially, she wanted to attend the Parsons School of Design , though she chose modeling instead and was signed by Next Model Management . She moved to Europe after it became clear that she would be more successful there. She is fluent in three languages and has degrees in Psychology and Education .

Veronica Varekova in the Swimsuit Edition

She has graced the covers of magazines such as Marie Claire, Harpers & Queen and Cosmopolitan, but men would probably most remember her for her work in the Victoria 's Secret catalog, stealing the spotlight from fellow goddesses Tyra Banks and Laetitia Casta.

Her work for Victoria's Secret must have prepped her for swimsuit modeling, as she has appeared in the coveted Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition for four consecutive years, including the 2001 edition (along with Yamila Diaz-Rahi and Elsa Benitez).

Veronica Varekova the Cover Model

If you haven't seen Veronica showing off her amazing form, then you must have seen her flaunt her face and hair as a spokesperson for Nivea and Pantene. She has also done advertisements for Guess? and Chanel.

After a two-year hiatus from doing the SI Swimsuit Issue, Veronica Varekova made quite a comeback as the cover model of the magazine in 2004. The magazine also features Ana Beatriz Barros, Noemie Lenoir, Carolyn Murphy, and Molly Sims.

She married hockey star and current center for the Edmonton Oilers , Petr Nedved , in July 2004, but they separated in the summer of 2006.

In May 2006 Veronica Varekova claimed that Maxim magazine unlawfully used a photograph of her scantily clad -- in stockings, high heels and naked from the waist up -- on the cover of its June issue. The photo was taken for a British GQ magazine feature on Victoria 's Secret last year. Afterward, the photo agency Corbis sold the photos to Maxim. Veronica Varekova says she was never told of the sale, nor was she asked for her permission to do so.

"They put me on the cover without my permission," the model told reporters. "They have no right to do it."

Vareková says the photos were fitting for a feature on Victoria 's Secret, but "for Maxim, it looks -- to my eyes -- super, super vulgar."

Regardless, Maxim placed Varekova at #32 on its 2006 Hot 100 List.