Candice Swanepoel is trending again in the United States, drawing more than 200,000 Google searches in the past day after her sparkling appearance at the LACMA Art+Film Gala on 7 November 2026 and fresh reports about her romance with retired NFL star Tom Brady. Behind the headlines about the South African supermodel sits a quieter figure who shaped her family life: Hermann Nicoli, her former fiancé and the father of her two sons, Anacã and Ariel. While Swanepoel’s new chapter draws the cameras, Nicoli has stayed largely out of the spotlight since the couple separated in 2018.
| Detail | What is verified |
|---|---|
| Full name | Hermann Nicoli Rosa |
| Date of birth | 8 July 1982 (age 44) |
| Birthplace | Brazil (city not publicly verified) |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Primary role | Model, represented by Next Model Management |
| Famous anchor | Candice Swanepoel, former fiancée |
| Children | Two sons, Anacã (born 5 October 2016) and Ariel (born 19 June 2018) |
| Height | 6ft 1in (1.85m) |
| Net worth | Not publicly verified |
| Social media handles | Not publicly verified |
A Brazilian Model Who Met Candice Swanepoel in Paris
Hermann Nicoli Rosa was born on 8 July 1982 in Brazil, which makes him 44 years old. He built his career as a fashion model and is represented by Next Model Management, one of the industry’s leading agencies. His path crossed with Swanepoel’s in Paris in 2005, when she was 17 and he was 23, at a fashion show where both were working. What began as a meeting between two young models turned into a relationship that lasted around 13 years.
Thirteen Years, an Engagement and Two Sons
After nearly a decade together, Nicoli and Swanepoel announced their engagement in August 2015. Their first son, Anacã, was born on 5 October 2016, his name chosen to honour Nicoli’s Brazilian roots. Their second son, Ariel, arrived on 19 June 2018. Months later, reports emerged that the couple had separated, and Swanepoel confirmed in a 2019 social media question session that she was single.
Swanepoel has since moved on. PEOPLE confirmed on 25 October 2026 that she is dating Tom Brady. A source told PEOPLE in early November 2026 that Swanepoel is enjoying the relationship but is in no rush to label it, and that there is no talk of an engagement — a point that followed her being photographed with a gold band on her left ring finger on 30 October 2026.
Swanepoel is far from the only Victoria’s Secret model whose family life draws attention — Barbara Palvin, who married actor Dylan Sprouse returned to the runway weeks after giving birth to her daughter this year.
Life After the Split: Co-Parenting Away From the Cameras
Since the split, Nicoli has kept a deliberately low profile. The former couple share parenting of their two sons, who live mainly with Swanepoel in New York while also spending time in Brazil. Swanepoel has spoken about balancing her career with raising Anacã and Ariel, and sources close to her say her children remain her priority as her new relationship develops.
Unlike many celebrity ex-partners, Nicoli has not given interviews about the relationship or the break-up, and neither side has publicly confirmed the reasons for the split. That silence has left much of his private life outside the public record, which is why several details about him remain unverified.
Erin Darke, Daniel Radcliffe’s long-term partner has likewise built her own acting career largely outside the glare that follows her famous partner.
A Modelling Career Built Beyond the Headlines
Nicoli has worked as a model for more than two decades, with Next Model Management handling his bookings. He is listed at 6ft 1in (1.85m), with brown hair and green eyes, and has appeared in runway shows and editorial shoots across his career. Modelling profiles also describe him as a fitness enthusiast who shares training and travel photographs on social media, though he keeps his following modest compared with Swanepoel’s tens of millions.
Swanepoel’s own modelling career
What Is Known About Hermann Nicoli’s Finances
No reliable public figure exists for Nicoli’s net worth. Several biography websites repeat an estimate of around $1.5 million, but none of them cites a primary source, audited record or reputable financial publication, so that figure cannot be treated as verified. What is clear is that his income comes from modelling work rather than the global brand deals that made Swanepoel one of the world’s highest-paid models. His net worth is therefore recorded here as not publicly verified.
Questions Readers Keep Asking About Hermann Nicoli
Who is Hermann Nicoli?
Hermann Nicoli is a Brazilian model, born on 8 July 1982, best known as the former fiancé of Victoria’s Secret supermodel Candice Swanepoel and the father of her two sons.
Were Hermann Nicoli and Candice Swanepoel married?
No. They were engaged in August 2015 but never married, and they separated in late 2018.
How many children do Hermann Nicoli and Candice Swanepoel have?
Two sons: Anacã, born on 5 October 2016, and Ariel, born on 19 June 2018.
How old is Hermann Nicoli?
He is 44 years old, born on 8 July 1982.
Is Hermann Nicoli dating anyone now?
Not publicly verified. He keeps his private life out of the press, and no current relationship has been publicly confirmed.
Some online profiles call Nicoli Swanepoel’s “ex-husband”, but that is incorrect — the pair were engaged and never married. Unverified rumours about infidelity around the split were never confirmed by either party and should not be repeated as fact.
