Los Angeles, June 9 (IANS): Supermodel Irina Shayk has revealed she worked for less than a dollar a day during her childhood.

The 29-year-old supermodel has found international success on the runway and is in love with Hollywood actor Bradley Cooper, but she says her family were desperately poor during her childhood in Russia. At times, she didn't even have enough to eat, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

"I had to work picking potatoes and tomatoes because that was a way to make money in our little town. During the summers, they paid me $20 for 30 days' work painting the local hospital. I still work with that hospital today and it's very gratifying to be able to give back what they gave me," she told Hello! magazine.

Even when she started to work as a model, things didn't get easier immediately.

Recalling her days as a young model, she added: "I remember once in Paris when I was starting out and I had nothing to eat. That was a turning point for me because I didn't give up. I knew that I couldn't go back home without achieving anything, and that made me work even harder."