Prince William & Gisele Bündchen Lead Earthshot Brazil
Gisele Bündchen joins the Earthshot Prize council
Prince William just drafted a superstar into his eco line-up , and it’s a perfect home-field call.
Gisele Bündchen, the Brazilian supermodel and philanthropist, is joining the Earthshot Prize council, the select group that helps choose the next wave of winners for Prince William’s global awards honoring bold, innovative ideas that tackle the planet’s biggest problems. She’s the first Brazilian to take a seat on the council , just as the fifth Earthshot Prize awards touch down in Rio de Janeiro on Nov. 5.
A council of global changemakers
Bündchen’s joining a powerhouse roster that already features broadcaster and conservation icon Sir David Attenborough, Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett, humanitarian chef José Andrés and World Trade Organization director-general Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. It’s a true all-star team of changemakers , and now it has a Brazilian captain on the pitch.
Prince William’s travel plans and Earthshot timeline
Prince William, 43, will fly to Brazil to take part in events around the awards in Rio before heading to the UN climate conference in Belém on Nov. 6. The Earthshot Prize, founded to supercharge solutions to urgent environmental challenges, honors breakthroughs across five key areas each year. The shortlist for this year’s prizes was revealed on Oct. 4.
Bündchen’s judging role and personal mission
Bündchen will also roll up her sleeves in the judging room, joining a session led by Dame Christiana Figueres, chair of The Earthshot Prize and the architect of the Paris Climate Accord. For Bündchen, the mission is personal and profound.
Bündchen’s statements
Honored to take part
She said she was “honored” to take part in William’s mission.
Protecting nature and the power of community
“Protecting nature has always been close to my heart, and I’ve seen the power of the global communities coming together and supporting innovation to create real change,” she said in a statement.
Every action matters and representing Brazil
“Every action matters big or small and together we can nurture change to protect the planet we call home. The Earthshot Prize shines a light on solutions that inspire hope and transformation, and I’m proud to represent Brazil in sharing these stories with the world,” she continued.
Environmental and philanthropic work
This isn’t a cameo for Bündchen , it’s the latest chapter in a long-running campaign. She and her family launched the Clean Water Project in southern Brazil, where she was born, and she has backed initiatives spanning wildlife protection, reforestation and regenerative agriculture while championing the UN Environment Program’s work. She also founded the Luz Foundation, which supports projects uplifting women and children as well as initiatives in education, health and the environment. In recent years, the foundation has focused on safeguarding Brazil’s extraordinary ecosystems , from the Amazon, Cerrado and Caatinga to the Mata Atlântica, Pampa, Pantanal and the country’s coastal marine habitats.
Reactions from The Earthshot Prize leadership
Welcoming Bündchen to the council, Jason Knauf, CEO of The Earthshot Prize, praised “her unique record of leadership and environmental progress. Her passion and commitment to the environmental movement in Brazil and beyond, and her dedication to amplifying solutions will be invaluable to our mission.”
“Her voice, leadership and dedication, will inspire everyone to keep building the future we all want for people and the planet,” he said.
Looking ahead to Rio and Belém
With Rio set for a marquee night on Nov. 5 and Belém hosting the UN climate gathering the very next day, the Prince of Wales and Brazil’s most famous supermodel are suiting up for a high-stakes, back-to-back push , spotlighting solutions, elevating voices and putting the planet squarely in the global spotlight.
