Julia Stegner

Early life Stegner was born in Munich, the daughter of Günter Stegner, the Director Central and Eastern Europe for LSI Corporation, and Erika Stegner, an accountant. She was raised in an animal-loving household with many dogs alongside her older sister Jeanette, who currently works in film production. For seven years, she was a child model, appearing in commercials and children's catalogs, and for nine years was trained in dance.

In high school, Stegner discovered a passion for playing basketball, and eventually she joined a club team in Munich. Being 182 centimetres tall by that time, she was naturally fit for the sport; her classmates even called her "Beanpole" because of her towering height.

Shortly before her 15th birthday, while celebrating Oktoberfest in her hometown, Stegner was discovered by Louisa von Minckwitz of Louisa Models. Just a few weeks later, Stegner was shot by Steven Meisel for the 2 covers of Vogue Italia. She also appeared in the 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 Victoria's Secret Fashion Shows.

Stegner also modeled for the 2005 Pirelli Calendar, where she appeared half-nude. Stegner has done print and runway work for the fur industry, wearing fur clothing for American Legend Minks and others. In 2005 she entered the BBDO which determined the value of the models, Stegner came after Karolina Kurkova with a market value of 36.5 millions and this was the second place.

She has been the face of Aquascutum, Guerlain KissKiss, Hugo Boss Eyewear and the Hugo Boss perfume, and Femme. In 2008, she became a face of Maybelline and Gianfranco Ferré. In 2009 she became the new face of Mercedes-Benz advertising.

Stegner returned to the runways in 2022 walking for Carolina Herrera and in 2023 walking for Isabel Marant F/W 2023 show. She was also part of the Mango and Victoria Beckham advertising campaigns as well.

Personal life Stegner married Australian photographer Benny Horne in 2014. They had been dating since 2009. In May 2014, shortly after their wedding, Stegner gave birth to their daughter.