Growing up with a supermodel mom certainly comes with its unique circumstances. Ariel Swanepoel Nicoli, the younger son of South African supermodel Candice Swanepoel, has been living a relatively private life despite his mother’s global fame. Let’s take a closer look at this little guy who’s growing up in a world of fashion but largely shielded from the spotlight.
Who Is Ariel Swanepoel Nicoli?
Ariel Swanepoel Nicoli is the second son of Candice Swanepoel, the renowned South African supermodel, and her former fiancé, Brazilian model Hermann Nicoli. Born on June 19, 2018, Ariel Swanepoel Nicoli has been kept relatively out of the public eye by his privacy-conscious mother.
Unlike many celebrity children who grow up constantly photographed, Candice has taken a more reserved approach to sharing her sons with the world. While she occasionally posts glimpses of her life as a mom on social media, she maintains a careful balance between her public career and her children’s privacy.
Ariel’s Family Background
Ariel Swanepoel Nicoli comes from a truly international family. His mother, Candice Swanepoel, rose to global fame as a Victoria’s Secret Angel and has been ranked among the world’s highest-paid models since 2010. His father, Hermann Nicoli, is a successful Brazilian model who met Candice in 2005 when she was just 17 years old.
Ariel Swanepoel Nicoli has an older brother named Anacã Swanepoel Nicoli, who was born on October 5, 2016. The brothers share their parents’ mixed heritage, with South African roots from their mother’s side and Brazilian heritage from their father.
Parents’ Relationship Timeline
Candice and Hermann’s relationship spans over a decade of their lives:
- They first met in 2005 in Paris during a fashion event
- After dating for ten years, they became engaged in August 2015
- Their first son, Anacã, was born in October 2016
- Ariel Swanepoel Nicoli was born in June 2018
- The couple ended their engagement in November 2018, just months after Ariel’s birth
Despite their separation, both parents maintain involvement in their sons’ lives, though Candice appears to have primary custody based on her social media presence with the boys.
Life as a Celebrity Child
Being born to famous parents certainly comes with its unique set of circumstances. Here’s what we know about Ariel Swanepoel Nicoli‘s life so far:
Growing Up in Privacy
Candice has been intentional about protecting her sons from excessive media attention. While she occasionally shares photos on her Instagram account, she often obscures their faces or posts images that don’t fully reveal their identities. This approach allows her to share moments from her life as a mother while still maintaining her children’s privacy.
Multicultural Upbringing
With a South African mother and Brazilian father, Ariel is likely being raised with awareness of both cultures. Candice has mentioned in past interviews the importance of maintaining connections to family heritage, suggesting that both boys are probably exposed to multiple languages and cultural traditions.
Travel and Lifestyle
As the son of an international supermodel, Ariel has likely already experienced more travel than many children his age. Candice’s work takes her around the world, and based on occasional social media glimpses, her sons sometimes accompany her on these journeys.
Candice as a Mother
Candice Swanepoel has been open about her journey as a mother while still maintaining boundaries around her family life. She has spoken about the balance between her modeling career and motherhood, often bringing a refreshingly honest perspective to the challenges and joys of parenting.
After Anacã’s birth, Candice returned to modeling relatively quickly, walking the runway at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show just months after giving birth. Following Ariel’s arrival, she continued her successful career while adjusting to life as a mother of two young boys.
In interviews, Candice has mentioned the importance of setting an example for her sons about work ethic and pursuing passions, suggesting that she wants them to grow up understanding the value of dedication and hard work despite their privileged upbringing.
Public Appearances and Social Media Presence
Unlike some celebrity children who have their own social media accounts managed by parents, Ariel Swanepoel Nicoli does not have a public social media presence. Information about him comes primarily through his mother’s occasional posts.
Candice tends to share special moments like birthdays and holidays, giving fans small glimpses into her family life without oversharing. These posts typically show outdoor adventures, beach days, and quiet family moments rather than lavish displays of wealth or status.
Ariel Today
As of 2025, Ariel is approaching his seventh birthday. Like many children his age, he’s likely enjoying typical childhood activities and experiences, though with the unique circumstance of having a world-famous mother.
While Candice keeps details of her sons’ lives relatively private, her social media occasionally reveals their shared love of nature, beaches, and outdoor activities. Both boys appear to be growing up with a strong connection to the natural world, perhaps influenced by Candice’s own South African upbringing.
The Family’s Future
Following her separation from Hermann Nicoli, Candice has kept her dating life largely private. Her focus appears to be on her career and raising her sons, maintaining a careful balance between her public and private personas.
As for little Ariel Swanepoel Nicoli, like any child his age, his future remains unwritten. With parents who have achieved significant success in the modeling industry, he certainly has examples of drive and determination in his life, but time will tell what path he chooses for himself.
Final Thoughts
While Ariel Swanepoel Nicoli was born into a world of fashion and fame, his mother’s protective approach to parenting has given him the opportunity for a childhood away from constant public scrutiny. As fans, we can appreciate Candice’s decision to share occasional glimpses of her life as a mother while respecting her children’s right to privacy.
As Ariel continues to grow, we can expect Candice to maintain this careful balance, allowing her sons to develop their own identities outside of their mother’s famous name while still celebrating the special moments that make family life meaningful.