Heidi shared the stunning mother-daughter shot on her Instagram on Thursday, along with a heartfelt note about seeing Leni -- whom she shares with ex Flavio Briatore -- follow in her footsteps.
"I'm so proud of you. And not because you chose this path. I know that no matter which way you go, it will be your own," Heidi wrote in German. "You always know exactly what you want and what you don't want. You are not a mini-me. And I'm happy for you that you can now show who YOU are."
"I know that being my daughter is not always easy. You never had the opportunity to grow up 'normally.' But what is normal?" Heidi continued, adding that "growing up with three different daddies" isn't normal either. "But you have the talent to get the best out of everything. And I would say: none of it harmed you - on the contrary: you are a self-confident young woman who fights for her goals. And even more important: you are a really great person with your heart in the right place."
Expressing that she should always listen to her gut, the America's Got Talent judge notes that "an exciting time is waiting for you. Vogue is the best way to start the career you dream of. And even if it is a little difficult for me to let go of you into this world, I will always do everything so that you are happy and that your dreams come true. I am proud to be your mom!"
