She was born in Londrina, Brazil, as the daughter of a lawyer (mother) and an engineer (father). Alves was a top student in civil engineering at Brazil's Londrina State University prior to moving to Sao Paulo, where she pursued modeling. She is featured in the 2003 and 2005 editions of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and is presently contracted by Valentino and Christian Dior. She has also appeared in the 2003 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, and in the Victoria's Secret catalog.

--Wikipedia