Gisele Bündchen wasn’t very "popular" when she began her modelling career.
The 35-year-old beauty – who has children Benjamin, six, and Vivian, three, with her NFL player husband Tom Brady – never embraced a party lifestyle but did cultivate a small circle of friends who she remains close to now.
She recalled: "I never enjoyed partying much and rarely went out, so I wasn’t the most popular girl.
"I had very few friends but the ones I had were so supportive and loyal. We were all young and from different parts of the world trying to make it in the big city.
"Since none of us had much money at the time we would meet at each other’s houses for dinner, order cheap food, and split the bill.
"They became my family away from home and to this day they are dear friends."
The Brazilian model always enjoyed having her sisters, twin Patricia, Raquel, Gabriela, Rafaela and Graziela, visit her and cherishes the "special" time they had together.
She said: "I love my sisters and we have always been supportive of each other.
"Every other year, a different one of my sisters would come and spend time with me when they were on school break. It was so special to get to experience this time with them; we got to travel and have memorable times together."
And she was always careful to celebrate the benefits of her success with them.
She added: "When I did shows and designers would give me clothes, bags and shoes, I would always share with them.
"We shared our entire life and I wasn’t stopping now."
Gisele’s career really took off when she was named a Victoria’s Secret Angel in 2000, and is thankful her family were so supportive during her busiest times.
She told PEOPLE magazine: "For years of my life I didn’t know what a weekend was, I was moving so fast.
"I am grateful that I always had my family to keep me grounded."
Gisele Bundchen wasn’t popular
