Popular 90s supermodel returns to runway in Sports Illustrated show

She once graced the cover of Vogue and Sports Illustrated – and even dated George Clooney. But after a break from the spotlight, she’s back.

90s supermodel stuns in runway return. Picture: John Parra/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated

A supermodel who rose to fame in the 90s has made a rare runway appearance during Miami Swim Week.

Vendela Maria Kirsebom, a Norwegian-Swedish model, graced the cover of Vogue, was the face of Elizabeth Arden and appeared multiple times in the pages of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.

She was also rumoured to have dated Hollywood’s most eligible bachelor at the time, George Clooney, with the pair pictured together several times in 1996.

However, Kirsebom has lead a more quiet life in recent years. Until now.

The 56-year-old made a stunning return to Sports Illustrated, walking in the cult-swimwear brand’s show in Miami this week.

Supermodel Vendela Kirsebom has made a return to the runway in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Show during Miami Swim Week. Picture: John Parra/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated

Kirsebom rose to fame in the 90s, during which time she dated George Clooney. Picture: S. Granitz/WireImage

Kirsebom rocked two different swimmers during the prestigious show, including a plunging white one-piece and a purple bikini set, both from her own brand Vendela Wear.

“The SI Swimsuit legend appeared in the magazine seven separate years and landed the cover in 1993,” the magazine’s website reads.

In one photo from the event, Kirsebom can be seen holding her hands in the air as she walked the runway, signalling her joy at her big return.

“Thank you for all the cheers, love and nice feedback,” she wrote on Instagram.

She finished the post with the hashtag: “Embrace your beauty.”

The 56-year-old wore two different cossies on the catwalk. Picture: Ivan Apfel/Getty Images

She wrote on Instagram she was ‘embracing beauty’. Picture: Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated

Her 119,000 followers were quick to comment, leaving a string of adoring responses.

“I don’t know anyone who deserves this more than you,” one said.

“You are a fantastic role model for us adult ladies. You deserve a lot of happiness with your nice new collection,” another wrote.

While one stated: “Back on the catwalk, you look great.”

“Lovely picture, you’re just so great. Congratulations on your own collection,” someone else chipped in.

“You’re a super star, you look incredibly great,” one commended.

Recently, Kirsebom shared a throwback from one of her Sports Illustrated shoots on Instagram, showing the then young model posing in a white bikini on a beach.

“Found a picture from the time with @si_swimsuit, good memories,” she captioned the snap.

Kirsebom was scouted in a Stockholm restaurant by Eileen Ford when she was just 13 but didn’t begin her modelling career until she finished school aged 18.

After relocating to Italy to appear in Marie Claire magazine, she won her Elizabeth Arden contract and moved to the US.

In 1996 she was romantically linked to George Clooney, but that same year she married Norwegian politician Olaf Thommessen. They separated in 2007 after 11 years of marriage and share two daughters, Julia and Hannah.

As well as her successful modelling career, Kirsebom has appeared in multiple movies, including Batman and Robin in 1997 and The Parent Trap, which starred Lindsay Lohan, Natasha Richardson, and Dennis Quaid, in 1998.

Kirsebom was also a judge on the Norwegian version of Top Model from 2006 until 2008.