Having graced more than 500 magazine covers and bagged top contracts with Revlon, Chanel, and L'Oreal, one might expect Claudia Schiffer to be putting her feet up these days. But with world peace, ethical shopping and two children to deal with, there's no rest for Germany's original export.

Born on August 25th 1970, Claudia was raised in Dusseldorf, Germany and planned to be a lawyer until being spotted in a nightclub at the age of 17. Almost two decades later, Claudia is still at the top of her game. Standing tall at 5'11”, with a golden mane of hair and piercing blue eyes, it's not easy to see why she has become one of the most successful models of all time. But a pretty face only gets you so far – Claudia Schiffer is also one inspiring woman.

She speaks fluent German, French and English and through a combination of astute management, discipline and horse riding, tennis, and dancing, Claudia keeps in shape and on top of her highly lucrative career. So how does she do it?

'I have worked hard to get where I am today,' admits Claudia, ' –but there is always some sort of price to pay.'

'I have done my best to live a balanced life with my career and personal life.' It hasn't been easy. As on of the original super models, her high profile has meant that her relationships have been put under huge strain. At 30, Claudia admitted to one magazine, 'I don't meet very many men because they are afraid to approach me.'

After a highly publicized escape from tangoed fiancé David Copperfield, Claudia met Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels producer Matthew Vaughn in 2000, and 'it was love at first sight'. The couple married in 2002 and had a son, Casper Matthew, born in 2003, and a daughter, Clementine, born in 2004.

'My family is the most important thing to me, they have and always will come first.'

Claudia even credits her family as, 'the reason for my success'. It isn't easy for anyone to juggle work and family life, but few of us do it while looking quite so ridiculously pretty. I demand to know Claudia's secret. 'I cope by having a very organized schedule,' she says, somewhat primly. Then she softens: 'Being a model and a mother can be very demanding,' Claudia says, and admits that sometimes she just has to put herself first. 'It's important to look after yourself. I drink lots of water to stay hydrated, take regular exercise, eat organically and use a good moisturizer!' She also has the advantage of extensive freebies, one must presume, from her deal to promote L'Oreal's wrinkle decrease range.

There has always been a pressure on women to look a certain way, but the likes of the Desperate Housewives and the rise of the sexy 40-somethings seem to be putting more pressure on women to look good than ever before.

'Of late it would seem that there is still a big focus on being skinny'

'But it is all about being comfortable with yourself and your body no matter what your shape or style – when you are happy on the inside your confidence shines through making you look and feel amazing.' I don't doubt her sincerity but it's difficult to take this seriously coming from a lithe 5ft 11 whippet in size 6 jeans.

But Claudia is humble and aware of just how good she's had it.'I'm very fortunate in my life,' she says and decided some years ago that she was going to try to 'give something back' and became an ambassador for UNICEF. 'This gives me the privileged opportunity to help campaign for children's rights around the world, and to help ensure that every child has the chance to grow up with the protection, provision and security that is their right'. The schoolgirl in all of us wants to pull the plaits of this nauseating uber-goody-goody, who seems frankly too good to be true. But Claudia is impossible to dislike.

She earnestly believes that it is important for us all to be the best we can and live ethically. 'It's not always easy – economically it can be more expensive with goods and services not always available or easy to access,' she admits. 'This is a problem for busy mums,' she says, classing herself amongst them and citing the occasions when 'we', 'don't always have the time or energy to go as far or do as much as we would like to'. 'Options are increasing,' she tells me enthusiastically, 'living ethically is becoming an easier lifestyle choice.'

'Making that extra step is all part of helping to sustain the world we live in.'

And as if modeling, looking after two children under five and trying to save the planet single handedly weren't enough, Claudia's got more plans up her immaculately pressed sleeve. After the exercise video and the infamous Fashion Cafe I ask if she has any more entrepreneurial ventures ahead: 'Right now my family is my priority… but I am planning a new venture. But it's too early to talk about!' Watch this space.

Want to look as good as Claudia? Click here for her beauty secrets

Photograph by Sebastian Pearson

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