Time magazine has named her one of the of the top-ten most-influential people of the year.

She's appeared on over 100 covers of major magazines including Glamour, Vogue, and Cosmopolitan --

and her legacy continues.

She has been featured everywhere...including Guess? Jeans adds, the Victoria's Secret catalog, in Sports Illustrated swimsuit editions, the very exclusive Pirelli Tires calendar, and as a spokesman for both Yves St. Laurent and L'Oreal.

She became a French national obsession in 1999 when she was elected by the French counsel to become THE model for Marianne's* effigy; the enlightened symbol of the French Republic.

This young lady also states she only need be "in the mountains with some cheese and a bit of bread" to maintain her happiness.

'Laetitia Marie Laure Casta' is a French fashion model and actress.

Laetitia means "Joy".

Casta means "Pure".

Laetitia represents the global ideal of feminine beauty...standing 5'8" with a curvy frame, she has little in common with the "typical" (waif) model.

Thus her national appeal.

Laetitia is a model and actress of unquestionably-enchanting French beauty. With her alluring face and bright blue eyes, Laetitia could stop traffic.

She's voluptuous; the Essence of Youth...and Sensual -- the ideal of femininity to man and woman alike.

Laetitia's look is timeless. She is equally striking in a swimsuit on the shores of Normandy, as does she fit the perfect picture of the 50's "Pulp" magazine beauty.

Often referred to as "Shy" and a "Tomboy", she was born and raised in Normandie and Corsica, France, among still-wild forests. In person, Laetitia possesses a down-home charm that's apparently infectious.

She was discovered as a youngster at 15, while relaxing on the beach with her family. A modeling agent handed her father a business card with an invitation to bring his daughter to Paris for a test shoot. Weeks later - after her father finally agreed to test photographs, her unmistakable potential was recognized by the founder of the modeling company himself - despite the fact that the shoot occurred without the aid of makeup and a designer's wardroom, which many models rely upon.

Within two weeks of this shoot, she was walking the runway for Jean-Paul Gaultier. But her career did not begin to take off until the director of the French edition of Elle saw her -- and modeling contracts and magazine appearances quickly ensued.

But it reality it took Paul Marciano, founder and creative director of Guess? -- who was "absolutely taken" by Casta's near- perfection (and who selected her personally to make her debut with Guess?'s advertising campaign), to bring her worldwide fame.

The Guess? campaign was her debut in the advertising medium. Thanks to Marciano, Guess? has since brought her international recognition, and (sometimes indecent) exposure to us!!

Laetitia contracted with Victoria's Secret in 1996 - gracing many covers of their catalogue as one of the "Angels" - a name attributed to the 7 main models of the company.

In 1997 Casta joined the Angels and other fellow models by appearing in the annual Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition. One single year later she was honoured by Rolling Stone who named her "Hottest Model of the Year"; placing a "tasteful" rear shot of a nude Casta on the cover of their 'Hot' issue.

Laetitia has received her brown belt in Judo. She feels her experience with Judo has helped carry her along in her modeling career; it has taught her to maintain control, to set limits for herself, to not be aggressive, and to think with her mind instead of her emotions. Confident and self-assured, her motto remains "If there is someone knocking on my door, I will open it".

This gal, when asked, remarked in jest that her breasts were "...made in Normandy...from butter and cream cheese". This young lady possesses both a good sense of humor, and a beautiful head on her shoulders!

Mrs. Casta currently lives a happy, healthful life in Paris and London. When her schedule allows, Laetitia enjoys time with her friends. Traveling, cooking, and spending time with her husband and children, her parents, and her younger sister.

The lady Laetitia has appeared in as many as five magazine covers at once. She still has the occasional shot in Europe; where she maintains a bit more of a cult following.

One place you won't see Laetitia, however, is in the gossip columns- very little inside scoop is out there for Mrs. Casta. Her realness is perhaps her greatest appeal, and she defends her curves and imperfections for the same reasons- a worthy bit of self confidence by the 'shy' woman that many of her American peers in the entertainment industry should take example to.

Stats

Name : Laetitia Maria Laure Casta

Place Of Birth : Pont-Audemer, France

Date Of Birth : 11th May 1978

Sign : Taurus

Hair : Light Brown

Eyes : Blue

Height : 5'8"

Quote : "Real beauty is to be true to oneself. That's what makes me feel good."