Behati Prinsloo Ethnicity, Race & Heritage: Is She African? Full Background Explained

Quick answer: Yes, Behati Prinsloo is South African — specifically Namibian, as Namibia was formerly administered by South Africa. Born on May 16, 1989, in Upington, South Africa (near the Namibian border), she grew up in Namibia and is of Afrikaner (Dutch-descended white South African) heritage. She is one of the world's top supermodels and is married to Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine.

---

Is Behati Prinsloo Mixed Race? Is She Biracial?

No — Behati Prinsloo is not mixed race or biracial. She is of Afrikaner heritage — a white South African ethnic group descended primarily from Dutch (and to a lesser extent German and French Huguenot) settlers who came to southern Africa beginning in the 17th century. Afrikaners developed their own distinct culture, language (Afrikaans), and identity over three centuries in southern Africa.

Behati's pale skin, blue eyes, and blonde/light features reflect her Afrikaner heritage thoroughly.

So to answer the most-searched questions directly: Behati Prinsloo's race is white (Afrikaner). Her background is Afrikaner, rooted in the Dutch colonial settlers of southern Africa. Her heritage is specifically Namibian-Afrikaner. And no — she is not biracial or mixed race.

---

What Is Behati Prinsloo's Ethnicity?

Behati Prinsloo's ethnicity is Afrikaner — a white South African/Namibian ethnic group whose origins lie in Dutch, German, and French Huguenot settlers who came to the Cape of Good Hope beginning in 1652 under the Dutch East India Company. Over generations, these settlers moved inland, developing the Afrikaner identity — with Afrikaans as their language (a Germanic language derived primarily from 17th-century Dutch) and a distinct culture shaped by the South African landscape and experience.

Behati grew up in Namibia, which was formerly German South West Africa and then South-West Africa under South African administration. Namibia became independent in 1990, when Behati was one year old. The Afrikaner community in Namibia has been part of the country since the colonial era.

She was discovered by a modeling scout in Namibia and began her career in London. She became a Victoria's Secret Angel in 2009, one of the brand's most coveted titles in fashion.

---

Father's Side: Afrikaner Heritage

Behati Prinsloo's father is of Afrikaner descent. The Prinsloo surname is specifically Afrikaner in origin — it is one of the surnames that traces back to the original Dutch and Huguenot settlers of the Cape Colony in the 17th and 18th centuries. Families with the Prinsloo surname can often trace their lineage to specific early Cape settler families.

---

Mother's Side: Afrikaner Heritage

Behati's mother is also of Afrikaner descent, from a family rooted in the Namibian Afrikaner community. Her mother's family may also include connections to the Dutch Reformed Church community, which has been the spiritual center of Afrikaner identity.

Behati has spoken about the influence of her grandmother (a pastor) on her upbringing — reflecting the role of religious community in Afrikaner culture.

---

Grandparents: A Complete Picture

Paternal Grandfather — [Unknown Name] Prinsloo: Afrikaner descent. Part of the Namibian Afrikaner community.

Paternal Grandmother — [Unknown Name] Prinsloo: Afrikaner descent.

Maternal Grandfather — [Unknown Name]: Afrikaner descent, from the Namibian Afrikaner community.

Maternal Grandmother — [Unknown Name] (pastor): Afrikaner descent. Behati has mentioned her grandmother's role as a pastor.

---

Nationality vs. Ethnicity

Behati Prinsloo is Namibian by birth and has also obtained US citizenship through her marriage to American citizen Adam Levine and her long residence in the United States. Her ethnicity is Afrikaner — a specifically South African/Namibian white ethnic group with Dutch, German, and French Huguenot roots going back to the 17th century.

She has lived in the United States since her modeling career brought her to New York, and has been based in Los Angeles with Adam Levine and their daughters.

---

Spouse & Children's Heritage

Behati Prinsloo married Adam Levine, the lead singer of Maroon 5, in July 2014. Adam Levine is of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage (his father is Jewish and his mother is Catholic, though he was raised Jewish). Together they have three daughters:

• Dusty Rose Levine (born September 21, 2016) — Afrikaner/Jewish-American biracial
• Gio Grace Levine (born February 15, 2018) — Afrikaner/Jewish-American biracial
• Third daughter (born 2023) — Afrikaner/Jewish-American biracial

Their daughters carry a striking combination of Afrikaner Namibian and Ashkenazi Jewish-American heritage.

---

Behati Prinsloo in Her Own Words on Race & Identity

Behati Prinsloo has spoken about her Namibian upbringing and identity:

"I grew up in Namibia — a very small town. It was the best childhood. The landscape, the people, the simplicity of it. That's where I'm from, that's who I am."

This reflects her deep connection to the physical landscape and community of Namibia, which she credits as the foundation of her character and values.

▶ Watch on YouTube →

---

Is Behati Prinsloo Alive?

Yes, Behati Prinsloo is alive. Born May 16, 1989, she is currently 35 years old. She continues her modeling career and remains one of Victoria's Secret's most celebrated Angels. She and Adam Levine welcomed their third daughter in 2023. She maintains an active social media presence on Instagram (@behatiprinsloo, 9M+ followers).

---

Visual Family Tree

---

Sources

• B