Candice Swanepoel, a blond model who hails from South Africa, has been gracing us with her presence since she began her modeling days in the early 2000s. However, it wasn’t until she gained her Victoria’s Secret Angel wings in 2010 that she became a household name. Her modeling career has granted her the opportunity to work with many renowned brands even though she admitted that she didn’t know how to model at first. “I really didn’t even know how to move,” she previously revealed to Fashionista. She later stated that being part of Victoria’s Secret didn’t necessarily feel like a reality because she “didn’t believe in herself.”
Having a life in the industry, though, is exactly what led her to her former love, Hermann Nicoli. Nicoli, a Brazillian model, met Swanepoel on the runway — the pair locked eyes, and the rest was history. According to Answers Africa, the former VS alum was 17 years old when she met what appeared to be the love of her life; he was 23. The couple officially became engaged in 2015, and a source revealed to E! News at the time that the blond stunner “couldn’t be happier” about her engagement to her longtime beau. 
However, there eventually was trouble in paradise, and their love story came to an abrupt halt. After welcoming two children, the power couple called it quits, which had many fans wondering what really happened.
The stars aligned when it came to Candice Swanepoel and Hermann Nicoli’s love and admiration for each other, or so we thought. The sweethearts had been together for about 10 years before Hermann popped the question in August 2015. The Brazilian model sealed the proposal with a diamond ring that Swanepoel wore in a since-removed Instagram video posted to her timeline. Per People, the video showcased the mᴀssive ring, commemorating the joyous occasion with the caption “Meu eterno namorado,” which roughly translates to “My boyfriend forever” in Nicoli’s native Portuguese. 
The sweet clip showed the dotting couple during better times — they were seen dancing together, basking in their happiness. Although most of their relationship was long-distance due to their careers, the pair often traveled to make time for each other, which seemed like an added benefit of their romance. “It’s important to travel and be apart and miss each other,” she told E! (via Yahoo). “In the beginning, it was a long distance and when you long for something so much, I think it’s a good thing.” Swanepoel alluded to the idea that long-distance was the key to their success and helped them grow closer. She later added that her beau “has helped me a lot through all the experiences and been a rock in my life.”
The pair split in 2019 and Swanepoel has since moved on
Candice Swanepoel and Hermann Nicoli’s relationship remained under the radar for the most part, but there were a few clues that hinted at the idea that the pair had split after 14 years together. The biggest revelation was when the two unfollowed each other on social media.
Although the action itself wasn’t a solid confirmation of the end of their relationship, Swanepoel revealed the two had split in an Instagram Q&A with fans in mid-2019. According to Elle Australia, the model confirmed she was single but didn’t share any additional details. The duo has always kept a low profile and rarely appeared on each other’s socials. However, after a decade of bliss and two children, people were still wondering what exactly went wrong between the longtime pair. 
The reason for their split was not openly discussed, however, we can imagine that conflicting schedules and distance may have played a part. In either case, the blond bombshell is moving on with a new love, Andrés Velencoso. Velencoso, a model and actor, has had his fair share of dating in the spotlight as he split from Kylie Minogue in 2013, according to Us Weekly.
While neither Swanepoel nor Velencoso has defined the relationship, it’s clear that they enjoy spending time together. Per Extra, the two were seen strolling hand in hand at Jardin des Tuileries in Paris in March and appeared cozy as ever. Cheers to new beginnings!