Heidi Klum defends being topless around her kids

After facing global backlash, Heidi Klum is firing back at critics, saying she has no regrets about being topless around her children. The supermodel, often under fire for her openness, says her kids have “never known me any other way”– and believes she’s teaching them a valuable lesson in body confidence and self-acceptance.

As one of the world’s top supermodels, Heidi Klum has graced runways in lingerie and ruled fashion campaigns, but at home, the 52-year-old is just “mom” to her four kids: Leni, 21, whom she shares with Flavio Briatore, along with Henry, 19, Johan, 18, and Lou, 15 – Klum’s children with ex-husband Seal.

Despite her bold public image, Klum embraces everyday motherhood with all the usual worries, chaos, and unconditional love that comes with raising four kids.

“When they’re young, you’re worried they’re going to jump in the pool or stick their finger in a socket,” she told People in a July 2025 interview. “Then they’re driving. Then it’s sex, drugs and rock and roll. You hope the seed you planted in them grows. That they’re good people. That they’re healthy. But you always worry. And I know I’ll still be worrying when I’m 80.”

Posing provocatively with daughter

But, in recent years, her parenting has come under fire – specifically with Leni, who has co-starred in multiple campaigns with her mom for Italian fashion brand Intimissimi, a modeling collaboration the duo started in 2022.

But their first joint campaign sparked backlash with critics calling the lingerie ad “cringe” and “oversexualized,” questioning the decision to pose provocatively alongside her then-18-year-old daughter, who called her mother an “inspiration.”

“I honestly didn’t look at a lot of the reactions,” Leni told Page Six at the time. “I am overall happy with the campaign, and I had an amazing day with my mom. I think the photos turned out great, and we had an amazing time.”

“I love her. She’s an inspiration. Just the advice she gives me, the way she works, everything about her, I can go on and on…I love shooting with her,” Leni added, gushing over her mom.

‘Beautiful relationship’

In a 2023 interview with DailyMail.com, the supermodel responded to the attacks, and praising her daughter’s confidence, she said that she’s proud of her work with Leni.

“To do photoshoots together with her and just to see how she’s just very comfortable and also comfortable around me even when we’re doing underwear shoots or something like that,” the 52-year-old Victoria’s Secret Angel said.

“It makes me proud that my daughter is super comfortable in her skin also in front of me and around me because not every kid is in the world.

“So, I love that we have this beautiful relationship.”

Recently, Klum again pushed back against criticism over her lingerie photoshoots with daughter Leni, telling People that she’s proud, not apologetic.

“A lot of people are like, ‘Oh, I don’t know about mom and daughter doing this together,’” Klum said. “But for us? I’m proud of my daughter. She’s fine with me like that.”

‘Easygoing with their bodies’

Brushing off the controversy, the America’s Got Talent panelist added that she’s always been open about her body, even going topless in her own backyard.

“I’ve always been very open with my body. When I’m suntanning in the backyard, I might not have a top on. I’m European…my kids don’t know me any other way and are probably more easygoing with their bodies because of it.”

Leni isn’t the only one following in mom Heidi Klum’s footsteps. Her son Henry made his runway debut in Paris this January, quickly landing a modeling contract with NEXT Management. But it’s not just his looks making headlines – his character is turning heads, too.

“Sometimes someone will come to me and say, ‘I just met your son. He is the kindest, nicest young man.’ That makes me feel good,” she told People. “Because no one has to say that.”

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