Leni Klum Is Following In Supermodel Mum Heidi Klum’s Footsteps (2024)

By now, we’re used to celebrity offspring following in their parent’s footsteps, and Leni Klum is no exception.

The 19-year-old daughter of supermodel Heidi Klum was spotted at New York Fashion Week looking every bit as glamorous as her mum. Stopping by at Alice + Olivia’s runway show, Leni donned a red leather trench coat and matching knee high boots, with her blonde hair in a sleek bun that showed off her impeccable bone structure.

And while we’re sure fashionable appearances like these are set to become a regular fixture for the teen, in honour of this rare sighting, we’re taking a deep dive into Leni’s life. Below, everything we know about Leni Olumi Klum.

Who Are Leni Klum’s Parents?

Leni was born on May 4, 2004, to Heidi Klum and Italian businessman Flavio Briatore, however the couple split before her birth.

When she turned 5, Leni was legally adopted by singer Seal, Heidi’s then-partner. The new couple were together for seven years, and had three more children together: Henry, 18, Johan, 16, and Lou, 13.

Speaking about being raised by Heidi and Seal, Leni told People, “They have both taught me to be myself, and to do what makes me feel comfortable. You can tell if you’re not comfortable and then the best of you isn’t brought out. I just think you should be open and honest with what makes you comfortable, be yourself, do what you love. And if you do all those three things then you’re golden.”

Although Heidi and Seal are no longer together, Leni has appeared to stay close with her adoptive father, with the singer posting a sweet snap of them together in September 2023.

“In NY with the young woman who changed my life for the better 19yrs ago. Thank you Leni for making me a better person. Love you, -papa,” he wrote alongside the picture.

And Leni returned the feeling, writing in the comments, “So cute! I love you papa ❤️.”

Leni and her siblings are reportedly all close with Heidi’s new husband, Tom Kaulitz, as well. The pair married in 2019, with People reporting that the children even helped Kaultiz plan the proposal.

Is Leni Klum A Model?

Leni is following in her mother’s modelling footsteps, making her modelling debut at 16 posing with Heidi for Vogue Germany.

“That’s, like, insane that I did that as my first job and my mom was with me, which made it so much fun,” Leni, then 16, told People. “It was just such a good day. I wasn’t nervous at all. I was just so excited. I was like, ‘I’m finally modelling, and it’s Vogue.’ It was just so many things to be excited about.”

The teenager has an impressive string of other modelling jobs to her name, including an Intimissi lingerie campaign (also alongside her mum), a runway appearance for Dolce and Gabbana, and campaigns for Dior Beauty and Fila.

But despite her expansive resume, Leni said that she had originally wanted to start modelling earlier, but it was her mother who advised waiting until she was older.

“The first offer came when I was only 12 or 13, from a brand I liked to wear: Brandy Melville. At that time I begged my mother, but no chance. Now I understand that it would have been too early,” she told Vogue Germany.

Speaking of her daughter’s entry into the modelling industry, Heidi told People, “I always thought she was too young. We always also decided to keep the children out of the public eye. But she’s driving a car now, she’s 16, so I figured if you can do that, you can also model now if this is what you wish to do.”

Is Leni Klum Single?

Leni has been in a relationship with Aris Rachevsky since 2019.

She regularly shares glimpses of their relationship via Instagram. Most recently, Leni showed the two of them cuddling on board a yacht on what appeared to be a tropical holiday.