Victoria Silvstedt

Victoria Silvstedt – Dare to Dream

Long-term Monaco resident, Victoria Silvstedt, is a Swedish actress, singer, model, TV host, entrepreneur and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss World Sweden 1993.

Everyone knows the dazzling beauty of the Principality of Monaco, Victoria Silvstedt, whose supermodel status and beauty are celebrated all over the world. However, getting to know her on a personal level, one can discover an inspiring life story of a courageous lady. 

Just to begin with, Victoria placed fourth at the Swedish national alpine skiing youth championship, she was keen on horseback riding, dreamt of becoming a veterinarian, and she released her dance music album that went gold in Sweden. Victoria also speaks English, French, and Italian, in addition to her native language, Swedish.

When was your first visit to Monaco?

I first arrived when I was very young, as a teenager, for the weekend to visit, you know, and then I fell in love with it already back then. Since my very first visit, Monaco has always had a special place in my heart.

In 2011, Victoria got her residence card.

So it’s been, oh, my God, 13 years. Amazing how time flies. I often have to pinch myself because waking up in Monaco every day is so amazing,” – laughs Victoria.

Victoria grew up in a close-knit family of five in a small village called Bollnäs in Northern Sweden. Despite having fewer inhabitants than Monaco, Bollnäs offers the spectacle of the “midnight sun” and the “polar night”. 

The midnight sun is a natural phenomenon that occurs in the summer months when the Sun remains visible at the local midnight. The opposite phenomenon, polar night, occurs in winter when the Sun stays below the horizon throughout the day, resulting in essentially dark 24 hours a day for three months each year.

The accident that shattered her Olympic dreams

Victoria, along with her older sister and younger brother, was raised and maintained her family’s sensibilities, appreciating discipline, hard work and community. Victoria’s father, the captain of a local ski team, instilled in her values of persistence and hard work towards life goals.

Thanks to her father, she started alpine skiing at the age of five. A gifted athlete, Victoria became a world-class member of the Swedish National Ski Team, ranking as high as fourth among her future Olympian teammates in the Super-Giant Slalom.

However, a devastating shoulder injury in the middle of a skiing competition prematurely ended Victoria’s Olympic dreams at the age of 16.

As the known saying goes, “when one door closes, another opens,” and this was definitely the case for the tomboy Victoria.

I was not the typical girl. I lived my life as a tomboy, a girl who enjoys rough, noisy activities traditionally associated with boys. Imagine, by that time I had never even worn a pair of high heel shoes.

This is something very hard to imagine.

The truth is that growing up in the northern parts of Sweden, our options were limited to skiing and horse riding. I was competing in skiing and jumping with my horses. Looking back to my teenage years, I was not feminine at all. I was like a tomboy, like one of the guys.

Mom had a secret plan

Like for every parent, seeing your child get injuries is heartbreaking. Victoria’s mom was no different as she couldn’t bear to see Victoria fall and hurt herself anymore.

Victoria’s mother and sister created a new plan and sent some pictures of her to Beauty Pageant officials.

I was always competitive in sport, but had low self-esteem as a pretty girl. I never really looked at myself as, like, a model. It was actually them who really pushed me to do it. As funny as it seems, I was not wearing a bra and I didn’t even know how to walk in high heels. My preference was my ski boots and my riding boots.

Never backing down from a challenge, Victoria strapped on heels for the first time in her life and walked tentatively across the pageant stage.

Victoria’s first pageant was the Miss Hawaiian Tropic and a few years later she was invited to participate in the 1993 Miss Sweden Beauty Pageant.

Victoria Silvstedt
Victoria Silvstedt ©Olly Vento

I remember, it was like back-to-back beauty pageant, but by doing that, I kind of grew up a little bit. I learned how to walk, how to dress like a woman, but still I was so shy. At the beginning I blushed everytime they asked me a question in front of the camera and was like, don’t look at me.

Victoria’s hard work and discipline helped prepare her for most things in life, but needless to say, she was surprised and overjoyed when she was declared the winner of Miss Sweden 1993. This was on her way to the Miss World Pageant in South Africa where the stunning beauty became a Finalist.

Thought rejections and sharing a flat with Melania Trump

After the stunning Victoria became a Finalist at the 1993 Miss World Pageant, she wanted to pursue a modelling career. For this reason, she moved to the capital of fashion, Paris, France.

While living in Paris, there was a one-year period during which Victoria shared a flat with Melania Trump, the Slovenian-American former model who served as the First Lady of the United States from 2017 to 2021 as the wife of President Donald Trump.

I started modelling in Paris at 18 and that was a disaster. I was too blonde, too muscular, basically everything was wrong with me. 

So my self-esteem was down as I always had this illusion Paris would wait for me with open arms just because I was Miss Sweden and Miss World top ten. It was the opposite.

The reality struck hard on Victoria, who remembers back to Paris as one of the hardest periods of her life. Thanks to her early years in sport, her competitive instincts came back to her assistance.

I cried at night, but I said, I cannot give up because I don’t want to be a loser. So I fought, I fought, I fought. 

Castings, up to 20 every day. I was living down in the metro with my map, trying to find all the castings. 

It was the worst time of my life. It’s like, for me, it’s like all black. But then slowly but surely, I started building my book up. I started working, I started doing some campaigns and started to make some money.

Victoria was discovered by a Parisian modelling agent and began a career in high fashion working for highly selective fashion giants such as Chanel, Christian Dior, Loris Azzaro, Givenchy, Valentino and Giorgio Armani.

I started competing when I was five years old. So for me, being in this industry, entertainment, TV, movie, acting, whatever, it helped me not give up. 

Even though you always have people telling you’re not good enough, you’re not that, and you’re not always getting the job you want. It helped me to be strong and not put myself down. Like, you just keep fighting and keep going. If you fall, okay, the next race, you’re going to do better. 

In this world, I try to learn not to take it personal because as a young girl, when you started modelling in this world, it can be very degrading for your self-esteem.

The unexpected journey

After regaining her confidence, Victoria was discovered by an American agent who offered her a catalogue shoot in Palm Springs, USA. 

It was such an amazing experience as they got my green card and organised everything for me. They took care of me like I was never going back to Europe again. For me, that was the beginning of a major milestone in my career.

It was in the fall of 1996 when Victoria’s career path took another unexpected turn. Hugh Hefner offered Victoria an opportunity to do a “quick photoshoot” for Playboy. 

Since Playboy Magazine is not distributed in Sweden and the European equivalents have far less visibility than in the US, Victoria had no idea what she was about to do. 

The “quick photoshoot” and “right back to Paris” of late October turned into a December 1996 Playmate of the Month and 1997 Playmate of the Year distinction in 4 short months.

I am often amazed at the more conservative-minded people’s reactions to a simple set of photos taken.

Being a free-spirited European, never to back down from a challenge, she has worked extremely hard to “re-invent” herself and burnish the typical playmate image.

Within a year, Victoria not only dropped the playmate stigma, but elevated herself as a world-class, high-fashion model by landing one of the most sought-after modelling contracts in the world – the GUESS? Print Ad and Spokesmodel campaign.

For me, when I made it to America and made it big there, that was really the American dream. If I stayed in Europe, I would never be as famous. I feel like Hollywood made me get my name out there for sure.

During her stay in Los Angeles and Hollywood, Victoria starred in the American prime time television soap opera “Melrose Place”, as well as multiple movies. 

Some of her notable roles include the American romantic comedy “Boat trip”, starring fellow Monaco resident, the late Sir Roger Moore and Cuba Gooding Jr., as well as the snowboard comedy “Out Cold” starring Zach Galifianakis. She made cameo appearances in several movies, such as “Basketball” and “Zoolander”. 

Victoria still remains a highly visible part of the modelling scene. She is featured on covers and countless celebrity feature interviews/layouts for mainstream magazines such as GQ, MAXIM, FHM, and GEAR both in the United States and in numerous European countries.

Victoria’s professionalism, beauty and class have also enabled her to successfully represent a number of major brands as a product spokesperson including Nike, Renault, Coors, Radisson, Killian’s and Blockbuster.

Settling down in Monaco

While living in New York, Victoria received television opportunities to work in France and Italy. 

In France, Victoria became the host of TF1’s “La rue de la Fortune”, which became a huge hit and one of the most popular TV shows at that time, attracting 7 million viewers per night.

Parallel to this, she was also filming another TV show in Rome.

I was a frequent flyer between Rome, Paris and New York. As Monaco became my weekend retreat getaway, I realised that it didn’t make sense for me to stay in New York.

In 2011, Victoria decided to give up her American green card and relocate to the Principality of Monaco, located just in between those television destinations.

It was a period when one thing led to another. I never planned anything in my life. So my relocation to Monaco was meant to be, I guess. Looking back, I’m so happy and grateful to have Monaco as a base.

How did this transition affect you?

It was not easy. I had my green card for 16 years in the US. I was living and working only there. 

For me, Monaco is a great base because I was working non-stop on television in Italy and France. Therefore, I decided to spend most of my time in Europe, I’m very happy that I actually made that move.

How do you see the women in Monaco?

Women in Monaco are very fashionable and open-minded. I am blessed with so many great friends.

Would you consider Monaco a good place for fashion?

Yes, Monaco became very fashionable. It is younger and more vibrant. There are more events. I do feel Monaco, since I came here the first time, has changed so much for the better. It became more international, very young and very dynamic. 

People really look up to Monaco, especially in America. “Oh, my God, you live in Monaco. Oh, my God.” For them, it’s like, unreal crazy,” – laughs Victoria.

Do you miss Sweden?

Perhaps not enough. I miss it because I have my family there. Due to that, I go to Sweden very often. It’s only a three-hour flight. I go for work, I go see my family. I have property there. I have business there. So for me, the only thing I miss about Sweden is the bakery.

Do you mean you miss the food the most?

Yes. In Sweden, we have special Christmas buns, along with a variety of sweet breads and delicacies unique for the region. I also miss the fresh seafood because everything is like a fresh catch from there.

You also grew up with animals and one of your dreams was to become a veterinarian.

Yes, that’s what I wanted when I was younger. I still miss it, in a way. I always loved animals. When I grew up, I had all kinds of animals. I had horses. I was taking in stray cats. I had rabbits, birds,rats, dogs, you name it. Horses were my big passion. 

I always thought I would live around horses for the rest of my life and that’s one thing I miss by always being on the go. I love to go horseback riding.

Do you go to the Monte-Carlo International Show Jumping?

While my schedule often prevents regular attendance, I have enjoyed it a few times. It was great. I love to ride. 

My best friend in Sweden has a stable with competition horses, so I ride there. 

This summer I was also there. So it gives me that kick when you get up really fast. It’s like the same adrenaline kick you get when you’re downhill skiing. Like, I miss that. I love it.

Another fact that many don’t know is that Victoria released her dance music album “Girl on the Run” through the EMI label in 1999 and the album went gold in Sweden.

Do you miss singing?

I love singing, but it is just a hobby. I cannot see myself making a full-time career out of it.

As a model, actress, singer and TV personality, Victoria also has a strong business side, actively trading in the financial market. She also launched her own fashion collection called “The Victoria Collection by Marli” with the sustainable luxury brand Marli Dresses.

What’s your advice for someone at the doorstep of success?

It is very important in life to reinvest what we have. This allows us to create stability. It is important to invest wisely. I make sure that my portfolio grows safely every year and I also own some real estate in Miami, USA and Sweden.

So what gives you adrenaline here in Monaco these days?

You know, what? The beauty of the place. I am crazy for the outdoors. So on a day like this, I go hiking, I go up in the mountains, I go power walk, I play tennis. 

For me, it’s like the nature within. The combination of the sea and the summer, it’s just everything here.. We have beauty, glamour, as well as sport, the seaside and great restaurants. It’s like the adrenaline is just all around. I love it.

Anything to add about Monaco?

Honestly, I feel so happy and lucky to be able to live here. It’s really like I’m pinching myself every day that I’m so lucky to be here. 

I feel like, as a resident, we’re very well taken care of. We receive high-quality service, exceptional treatment and experience beauty here in Monaco.

I think it’s just whatever the Palace and the HSH Prince is doing is just getting better and better. We have ongoing construction, but when it’s finished, it’s going to be an even more modern and vibrant country.

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