Heidi Klum and Seal's Relationship Timeline: a Look Back

Despite being known as one of the most romantic singer-songwriters of all time, Seal (born Henry Samuel) didn't catch the attention of supermodel and television host Heidi Klum with his love songs — at least not initially. In fact, some would call the former husband and wife's first meeting in 2004 a classic case of love (or perhaps more aptly, lust) at first sight. 

Still, there was much more to Klum and Seal's relationship than what meets the eye. Getting engaged, tying the knot in Mexico, renewing their vows, and raising their four children (Seal adopted Klum's eldest daughter, Leni, when she was 5 years old) were just a few events the timeless beauty and the "Kiss from a Rose" singer experienced together before filing for divorce in 2012. 

After finalizing their divorce in 2014, Klum began dating German musician Tom Kaulitz in 2018; the couple wed in 2019. Seal has been romantically linked to his former personal assistant, Laura Strayer, since 2021. 

Here's a look back at Heidi Klum and Seal's relationship.

2004: Heidi Klum and Seal first meet

Klum and Seal first laid eyes on each other in a New York City hotel lobby in 2004. The supermodel was sitting with a mutual friend when Seal walked through the door wearing tight-fitting bike shorts.

"He came in just from the gym, and I was sitting there, and I was, like, 'wow,'" she told Oprah Winfrey, according to People, during the TV host's "Superstar Couples" episode in 2007. "And I pretty much saw everything. The whole package."

Seal was also impressed by Klum and revealed that he was first attracted to the "kindness in her smile — that prompted me to feel that I hadn't seen anyone more beautiful," he told People in 2005.

2004: Heidi Klum and Seal are first spotted together

Five weeks after they met, the two went on their first date. However, the timing was less than ideal: Klum had just found out she was pregnant with daughter Leni, whose biological father is Italian businessman Flavio Briartore.

The America's Got Talent judge broke the news after they spent the night together. 

"I laughed and said, 'Already? That's amazing!' She said, 'Not with you stupid,'" Seal told The Mirror in 2008.

He continued, "There was a pause of about 10 seconds, and I said, 'It doesn't change the way I feel about you because the fact that you are here tells me that you think a lot about me.' "

People have said I was such a good person, so courageous," Seal added. "I honestly don't see it like that. I was the lucky one. We didn't have time for the usual pre-marital dance that couples get into. For the first time in my life, I had total clarity in a relationship, and I knew exactly what I had to do."