Introduction
Candice Swanepoel is one of the most recognizable faces in the fashion industry, but away from the runway, her most important role is being a mother. The South African supermodel is a proud parent to two sons, Anacan and Ariel, whom she shares with her ex-fiancé, Brazilian model Hermann Nicoli. While she has walked for Victoria’s Secret and fronted campaigns for the world’s biggest luxury brands, Swanepoel has consistently made it clear that her Candice Swanepoel kids are her priority, often describing motherhood as the most transformative experience of her life .
This guide covers everything there is to know about Candice Swanepoel’s children, from their unique names and birth dates to how the supermodel navigates co-parenting and keeps her family grounded despite her globe-trotting career.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Children | Two sons: Anacan and Ariel |
| Father | Hermann Nicoli (ex-fiancé, Brazilian model) |
| Anacan’s Birth Date | October 5, 2016 |
| Ariel’s Birth Date | June 19, 2018 |
| Anacan’s Age (2026) | 10 years old |
| Ariel’s Age (2026) | 8 years old |
| Relationship Status of Parents | Separated in 2018 after 12 years together; reportedly co-parenting |
Who Are Candice Swanepoel Kids?
Candice Swanepoel is a mother to two boys, Anacan and Ariel. She welcomed her first son, Anacan, in October 2016, and her second son, Ariel, arrived in June 2018, meaning the brothers are less than two years apart in age . Swanepoel has frequently spoken about the intensity and joy of raising two young children so close in age, describing the experience as “pretty intense” but ultimately “amazing” .
Anacan Swanepoel Nicoli
Anacan, born on October 5, 2016, holds a name with deep personal significance. Swanepoel explained that the name is of indigenous Amazonian origin, chosen as a tribute to Nicoli’s native Brazil. “It’s an indigenous name from the Amazon,” she told PEOPLE. “I’ve always been amazed by the Indian culture of Brazil … We were talking names [and] it was the first one that popped into our heads that we both liked” . The couple added an “n” to the end of the spelling to make pronunciation easier for English speakers, though the original Brazilian spelling remains without the “n” .
Anacan has occasionally joined his mother in the spotlight. He appeared in a 2017 Gap campaign with Swanepoel in support of Every Mother Counts, and he has since been featured in editorial shoots, including a Vogue winter 2025 spread .
Ariel Swanepoel Nicoli
Ariel, born on June 19, 2018, is described by his mother as “the happiest baby you will ever meet” . Swanepoel has also affectionately referred to him as her “little lion boy” . On his fourth birthday in 2022, she wrote that Ariel is “so cool, so strong, so carefree, funny and loving,” adding, “He makes me smile and laugh and learn every day” .
Like his older brother, Ariel has modeled alongside his mother, most notably in the same British Vogue winter 2025 photoshoot. Swanepoel shared images from the shoot on Instagram with the caption “Mother & SUNs,” a playful nod to her two boys .
Candice Swanepoel’s Approach to Motherhood
Candice Swanepoel has been candid about how becoming a mother reshaped her perspective on life and career. In a 2017 Instagram post celebrating her first Mother’s Day, she wrote, “What a gift and precious responsibility it is to bring a new soul into the world. To love and teach to love just the same. My life definitely started over on the day I met my baby” . She later told PEOPLE that the best part of motherhood is “everything” .
Despite the demands of her career, Swanepoel has emphasized that her children are always on her mind. In an interview with Elle Italia, she reflected, “Maternity never has a day off. Even when I am far from my children, they are always in my mind and in my heart. Time with them is my escape” . This sentiment underscores a consistent theme in her public statements: the Candice Swanepoel kids are the emotional center of her world, regardless of where her professional commitments take her.
Swanepoel has also spoken about the guilt and balance of working motherhood. She has noted that the second child was “a lot easier” in some ways, but the overall situation of managing two children is harder, a familiar reality for many parents of young children .
Co-Parenting with Hermann Nicoli
Candice Swanepoel and Hermann Nicoli were together for over a decade, having met in Paris in 2005 when she was just 17 . They became engaged and welcomed their two sons before separating in 2018, the same year their second child was born . Despite the end of their romantic relationship, the former couple has reportedly maintained a co-parenting arrangement for Anacan and Ariel .
While Swanepoel tends to keep the details of her co-parenting dynamic private, she has occasionally shared glimpses of family life that suggest a cooperative and loving environment for the boys. The brothers appear to share a close bond, a relationship Swanepoel has nurtured and celebrated. “Now they will always have each other Anacan & Ariel,” she wrote in a 2018 post . She has also described Anacan as an “amazing big brother” who was constantly “kissing [Ariel] all the time” when the younger boy was a baby .
Balancing a Supermodel Career and Motherhood
Candice Swanepoel’s career is demanding, requiring extensive travel, long shoot days, and intense public scrutiny. Yet she has been deliberate about adjusting her professional pace to prioritize her children. Reports indicate that she has reduced the number of modeling assignments she accepts to spend more time with her two sons . After welcoming Anacan in 2016, she temporarily paused international runway work to focus on her family .
Her children have occasionally been integrated into her professional world, appearing with her in high-profile editorials such as the British Vogue winter 2025 feature. This blending of family and work offers a rare, personal glimpse into the life of a supermodel mother. The Candice Swanepoel kids are not hidden away but are instead celebrated as part of her identity, as evidenced by her affectionate “Mother & SUNs” caption .
Timeline of Key Family Milestones
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2005 | Candice Swanepoel meets Hermann Nicoli in Paris |
| 2016 | Anacan is born on October 5 |
| 2017 | Swanepoel celebrates her first Mother’s Day |
| 2018 | Ariel is born on June 19 |
| 2018 | Swanepoel and Nicoli reportedly separate |
| 2025 | Anacan and Ariel join their mother for a British Vogue winter photoshoot |
| 2026 | Swanepoel walks the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, celebrated as a mother of two |
Expert Insights: What Swanepoel’s Motherhood Journey Reveals
Candice Swanepoel’s public approach to motherhood offers a meaningful case study in how high-profile working mothers navigate the tension between career ambition and family presence. Her willingness to speak openly about the “intense” nature of raising two children close in age, while also expressing unqualified joy, normalizes the complexity of modern parenting . By bringing her sons into select professional projects and speaking about them with warmth and intentionality, she models a version of motherhood that is neither erased by fame nor overshadowed by it. The Candice Swanepoel kids are not an afterthought to her brand; they are central to the life she has chosen to build.
Read More: Helen Lasichanh: The Model and Designer Redefining Fashion Through Her Cool Aesthetic
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the names of Candice Swanepoel’s kids?
Candice Swanepoel has two sons: Anacan (born October 5, 2016) and Ariel (born June 19, 2018) .
Who is the father of Candice Swanepoel’s children?
The father is Hermann Nicoli, a Brazilian model and Swanepoel’s former fiancé. The couple was together for over a decade before their separation in 2018 .
How old are Candice Swanepoel’s kids in 2026?
As of 2026, Anacan is 10 years old and Ariel is 8 years old .
Why did Candice Swanepoel name her son Anacan?
Swanepoel chose the name Anacan as a tribute to her ex-fiancé’s Brazilian heritage. She described it as an indigenous name from the Amazon and added an “n” to the end to make pronunciation easier for English speakers .
Do Candice Swanepoel’s kids model?
Both Anacan and Ariel have appeared in modeling campaigns with their mother. Anacan was featured in a 2017 Gap campaign, and both boys joined Swanepoel for a British Vogue winter 2025 photoshoot .
Is Candice Swanepoel still with Hermann Nicoli?
No. Swanepoel and Nicoli separated in 2018 after a long-term relationship and engagement. They are reportedly co-parenting their two sons .
Conclusion
Candice Swanepoel’s life as a mother is a defining part of her story, as significant as any runway walk or magazine cover. Her two sons, Anacan and Ariel, are the heart of her world, and her public reflections on motherhood reveal a woman who has thoughtfully integrated her role as a parent with her identity as a supermodel. For anyone searching for information about Candice Swanepoel kids, the picture that emerges is one of a devoted, hands-on mother who prioritizes her children’s well-being while allowing them to share in select moments of her extraordinary career.
As the boys grow, Swanepoel’s journey will continue to offer a relatable and inspiring example of modern motherhood, balancing the spotlight with the quiet, daily work of raising a family.
