Quick Facts
- Net Worth: $3 Million
- Born: February 19, 1986, Scarborough, Ontario, Canada
- Age: 40
- Height: 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
- Profession: Model, Businesswoman, Social Media Influencer
- Nationality: Canadian
- Known For: Playboy Playmate of the Year 2008, The Hills, Sugar Taco co-founder
Jayde Nicole went from posing for catalog shoots at age six to becoming one of Playboy’s most celebrated Playmates of the Year. Today, her $3 million net worth reflects a career that stretched far beyond modeling, into reality TV, animal advocacy, and the restaurant business. Here’s a closer look at how she built her fortune, step by step.
Who Is Jayde Nicole?
Jayde Nicole is a Canadian model and entrepreneur best known for winning Playboy’s Playmate of the Year title in 2008. Born Jayde Nicole Gelette-Ivany, she grew up between Scarborough and Port Perry, Ontario, and turned an early passion for modeling into a multi-decade career in front of the camera and behind the scenes of a growing business portfolio.
She later became a familiar face on MTV’s The Hills, launched the plant-based restaurant brand Sugar Taco, and built a public platform around animal rights and vegan living.
Early Life: A Model Since Childhood
Jayde Nicole’s career started earlier than most. She began modeling for catalogs and local fashion shows at just six years old, giving her a first taste of the industry before she was even in grade school. She stepped away from modeling around age eleven, but the break didn’t last long.
At fifteen, a Toronto modeling agency scout discovered her outside the Air Canada Centre, and she jumped back into the business. From there, steady modeling work followed, and she eventually launched her own modeling agency, A Touch of Class, putting her on both sides of the industry.
Nicole also enrolled at George Brown College in Toronto to study hotel management, but she left the program to focus on modeling full time, a decision that paid off within a few short years.
Playboy Fame: From Playmate of the Month to Playmate of the Year
Jayde Nicole’s biggest career break came through Playboy. She appeared as Playmate of the Month in the January 2007 issue, and the following year, she was named Playmate of the Year for 2008.
That title wasn’t just an honor; it came with real financial upside, including a cash prize, a car, and a major boost in her market value as a public figure. It also made history: Nicole became the first Canadian Playmate of the Year in 26 years, and only the third Canadian ever to hold the title, following legends Dorothy Stratten and Shannon Tweed.
The Playmate of the Year win opened doors well beyond the pages of the magazine, setting up the next phase of her career in television and film.
Expanding Into TV and Film
With her Playboy fame behind her, Jayde Nicole moved into acting and reality television. Her credits include:
- The Hills (MTV): Multiple appearances alongside then-boyfriend Brody Jenner, introducing her to a mainstream reality TV audience.
- Un’estate ai Caraibi: Her feature-film debut, an Italian comedy released in 2009.
- Fox Sports’ PokerStars Million Dollar Challenge: A televised poker competition appearance in 2009.
- The Girls Next Door: The Bunny House: A pilot filmed for E! alongside other former Playboy centerfolds.
- Holly’s World: Several episodes alongside fellow Playboy alum Holly Madison during the show’s second season.
- Funny or Die’s “Playmates Heat Up the Presidential Debate” (2008): A comedic election-season video co-starring other Playboy models.
These appearances kept Nicole visible in pop culture well after her Playmate title, and each credit added another income stream to her growing net worth.
Business Ventures: From Modeling Agency to Sugar Taco
Jayde Nicole didn’t stop at modeling and TV. She founded her own modeling agency, A Touch of Class, early in her career, giving her hands-on experience running a business rather than just working in front of the camera.
More recently, she’s become known for Sugar Taco, a vegan Mexican restaurant concept she co-founded. The venture reflects her long-standing commitment to plant-based living; Nicole has said she decided never to eat meat as a young child, long before veganism became a widespread lifestyle trend. Building a restaurant brand around that personal value has added a meaningful business income stream alongside her modeling and media earnings.
Animal Advocacy and Giving Back
Beyond her career, Jayde Nicole is a well-known animal rights advocate and a vocal supporter of PETA. She regularly rescues and fosters dogs, and she uses her social media platforms to raise awareness about animal welfare, environmental protection, and ocean conservation.
She’s also the founder of Lengths for Love, a charitable initiative that collects donated hair to make wigs for children who have lost their own hair, often due to medical treatment. The cause combines her modeling-industry background with a hands-on approach to giving back, and it remains one of the most consistent parts of her public work outside of entertainment.
Jayde Nicole Net Worth Breakdown
| Income Source | Contribution to Career |
|---|---|
| Modeling & Playboy | Foundation of her fame and early earnings |
| Reality TV & Film | Added mainstream visibility and appearance fees |
| A Touch of Class (agency) | Business income beyond modeling itself |
| Sugar Taco (restaurant) | Ongoing entrepreneurial income stream |
| Social Media & Brand Deals | Modern-day influencer earnings |
How Does Jayde Nicole Compare to Other Playboy Playmates of the Year?
| Playmate | Year Named POY | Estimated Net Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Jayde Nicole | 2008 | $3 Million |
| Shannon Tweed | 1982 | $10 Million+ |
| Dorothy Stratten | 1980 | N/A (career cut short) |
| Kara Monaco | 2006 | Undisclosed |
Note: Net worth figures for public figures are estimates based on publicly available information and can change over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Jayde Nicole net worth?
Jayde Nicole has an estimated net worth of $3 million, built through modeling, Playboy, television, and business ventures like Sugar Taco.
How did Jayde Nicole become famous?
She rose to fame as Playboy’s Playmate of the Month in January 2007 and then as Playmate of the Year in 2008, becoming the first Canadian to win the title in 26 years.
Is Jayde Nicole still modeling?
While modeling built her initial fame, Nicole has shifted much of her public focus toward entrepreneurship, animal advocacy, and social media in recent years.
What businesses does Jayde Nicole own?
She founded the modeling agency A Touch of Class and co-founded the vegan restaurant brand Sugar Taco.
Where is Jayde Nicole from?
She was born in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada, and grew up in Port Perry, Ontario.
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