Brad Pitt’s new girlfriend Nicole Poturalski dreamed of being a catwalk model when she was just eight years old to escape her poor upbringing, MailOnline can reveal.
As a youngster, she would draw a line in the sandpit next to her rundown council flat and practice strutting along an imaginary fashion runway, according to a classmate.
Now 27 and cover girl of the German edition of Elle, she grew up in the depressed former coal mining town of Bergkamen, near Dusseldorf in western Germany.
Blessed with a tall, athletic figure and striking features, she was always interested in her appearance, her friend and former neighbour claimed.
‘Nicole always wanted to be a fashion model, even as a young girl,’ the friend told MailOnline.
Brad Pitt’s new girlfriend Nicole Poturalski dreamed of being a catwalk model when she was just eight years old to escape her poor upbringing, MailOnline can reveal
As a youngster, Nicole (pictured with Pitt last year) would draw a line in the sandpit next to her rundown council flat and practice strutting along an imaginary fashion runway, according to a classmate
Nicole, now 27 and cover girl of the German edition of Elle, grew up in the depressed former coal mining town of Bergkamen, near Dusseldorf in western Germany
Blessed with a tall, athletic figure and striking features, the youngster was always interested in her appearance, her friend and former neighbour claimed. ‘Nicole always wanted to be a fashion model, even as a young girl,’ the friend told MailOnline
‘When everyone else was playing on the swing, she would draw a line in the sand and practice strutting up and down, as if it were a catwalk.’
The friend continued: ‘Nicole was quiet.
‘When the other kids wanted to play football and other games, she would refuse to join in and practice her catwalk skills.
‘Nicole was really young when she started doing this. She could only have been eight or nine years old.’
Her upbringing was tough with her mother Agnieszka – who was separated from Nicole’s dad Janus – struggling to make ends meet.
Along with her sister, the three lived in a two-bedroom flat on the second floor of a high-rise block, supported by her Nicole’s aunt who lived in a neighbouring block.
And while her father no longer lived with the family he remained close.
Nicole, known as Nico, went on to attend the local 1,000 strong Städtische Gymnasium Kamen state secondary school and originally wanted to become a marine biologist.
But she was discovered by a fashion scout in 2003 at the age of 13 during a visit to Disneyland Paris which kick-started her modelling career.
Her upbringing was tough with her mother Agnieszka – who was separated from Nicole’s dad Janus – struggling to make ends meet. Along with her sister, the three lived in a two-bedroom flat on the second floor of a high-rise block
‘When everyone else was playing on the swing, she would draw a line in the sand and practice strutting up and down, as if it were a catwalk,’ the friend said.
Nicole, known as Nico, went on to attend the local 1,000 strong Städtische Gymnasium Kamen state secondary school and originally wanted to become a marine biologist
But she was discovered by a fashion scout in 2003 at the age of 13 during a visit to Disneyland Paris which kick-started her modelling career
Nicole remains close to her paternal grandparents, whom she would visit regularly as a child in the neighbouring town of Unna Massen. Today her grandmother (right) told MailOnline: ‘Usually I am happy to chat about my grand-daughter, but in this case I cannot say a thing’
Despite her school’s poor reputation, Nicole was able to juggle her fledgling career and pass her Abitur (A level equivalent qualifications) with flying colours.
Her friend said her looks had been apparent even as a child: ‘Nicole has always looked the same. She has always had the same full lips and athletic body that she has today.
‘She always admired Heidi Klum and dreamed of being like her.
‘The family moved away all of a sudden to pursue her career as a model and I haven’t heard from her since.’
But Nicole remains close to her paternal grandparents, whom she would visit regularly as a child in the neighbouring town of Unna Massen.
Her grandfather Stanislaw had come to the industrial Ruhr region of Germany over 30 years ago for work.
Today the grandparents appeared overwhelmed by the international press interest in their grand-daughter’s relationship with Pitt.
Mrs Poturalski told MailOnline: ‘Usually I am happy to chat about my grand-daughter, but in this case I cannot say a thing.’
At the age of 19, Nicole moved to Berlin with her mother to pursue modelling seriously. It was while living there that she began a relationship with the owner of the city’s iconic café and restaurant ‘Borchardt’, Roland Mary
Despite a 40-year age difference, Nicole and Roland, now 68, reportedly married and they have a son named Emil, according to German newspaper Bild
Her modelling career has taken her to fashion shows in New York, Paris and Milan and she has been a cover girl for ELLE, Cosmopolitan and Marie Claire. She is also a favourite for British designer Vivienne Westwood
At the age of 19, Nicole moved to Berlin with her mother to pursue modelling seriously.
It was while living there that she began a relationship with the owner of the city’s iconic café and restaurant ‘Borchardt’, Roland Mary.
Brad Pitt and Quentin Tarrantino were regular guests at the restaurant during the filming of the hit Hollywood movie ‘Inglorious Bastards’ in Germany in 2009.
Despite a 40-year age difference, Nicole and Roland, now 68, reportedly married and they have a son named Emil, according to German newspaper Bild.
Emil, now aged seven, started school earlier this month, and makes several discreet appearances on his mother’s Instagram account.
After nearly 10 years on the catwalks of the fashion world she can now speak five languages.
Her modelling career has taken her to fashion shows in New York, Paris and Milan and she has been a cover girl for ELLE, Cosmopolitan and Marie Claire. She is also a favourite for British designer Vivienne Westwood.