Competitive alpine skiing served as the initial arena for Victoria Silvstedt, who placed fourth at the 1989 Swedish national youth championship in giant slalom. Following a career-ending shoulder injury sustained during a competition at age 16, she pivoted toward modeling and television, eventually becoming a prominent international figure across European media and fashion circles.
Transition to Modeling
After her mother and sister sent photographs to pageant officials, Silvstedt entered the Miss Sweden competition. She represented her country at the 1993 Miss World pageant in Sun City, South Africa, reaching the top 10. Subsequent work for fashion houses such as Chanel, Christian Dior, Giorgio Armani, Givenchy, Loris Azzaro, and Valentino established her status. By the late 1990s, she secured a major contract as a Guess? spokesmodel. She has since appeared on over 500 magazine covers, including FHM, Glamour, GQ, Hello!, Maxim, and Vanity Fair.
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Hugh Hefner recruited Silvstedt for a photo session in Los Angeles, leading to her selection as the December 1996 Playmate of the Month. In 1997, she received the title of Playmate of the Year. Her exposure extended to Playboy Special Editions and various video productions. Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, she continued to work with diverse brands such as Lynx, Nike, Renault, and Triumph International.
Television and Acting Career
Silvstedt has worked as an actor in both film and television. Her early work included appearances on Malibu, CA and Melrose Place, followed by comedy films like BASEketball, The Independent, Out Cold, and Boat Trip. In Europe, she starred in Italian productions including La mia vita a stelle e strisce and Un maresciallo in gondola. Her television hosting credits include Candid Camera on CBS, Eurotrash, and Wild On! on E!. Between 2006 and 2009, she hosted game shows in France and Italy based on the Wheel of Fortune format. In 2010, she hosted Sport by Victoria on Eurosport and later appeared on TF1 for Le grand bêtisier.
Music and Personal Ventures
In 1999, Silvstedt released the dance album Girl on the Run on the EMI label, which achieved gold status in Sweden. The album included singles such as "Hello Hey" and "Rocksteady Love". She returned to music in 2025 for Melodifestivalen, performing "Love It!". Beyond entertainment, she launched a lingerie collection, Very Victoria Silvstedt, in 2006, later collaborating with Marie Meili in 2013. In 2010, she published her autobiography, Les Secrets de Victoria. Dans la Tête de Victoria Silvstedt.
Fast facts
- Born: 19 September 1974, Skellefteå, Sweden
- Playboy Playmate of the Month: December 1996
- Playboy Playmate of the Year: 1997
- Languages spoken: French, Italian, English, Swedish
- Notable television role: Host of La Roue de la fortune and La ruota della fortuna
- Reality series: Victoria Silvstedt: My Perfect Life (2008)
- Debut music album: Girl on the Run (1999)
- Fashion line: Very Victoria Silvstedt
Questions readers ask
What is Silvstedt's background in winter sports?
She was a competitive alpine skier until a shoulder injury at age 16 ended her career in 1989.
Has she participated in reality television?
Yes, her own show, Victoria Silvstedt: My Perfect Life, premiered in 2008. She also appeared in the Swedish series Stjärnorna på godset in 2016.
