Fran Kirchmair

A Life in Motion

Photographed by Veronica Sams @veronicasams
Styling: Georgia Miguel & Belle Hahn
Makeup: Gina Brooke Beauty for Intraceuticals @ginabrookebeauth

With grace, resilience, and unyielding ambition, Fran Kirchmair has forged a path that bridges the worlds of sport, philanthropy, and creativity. From her idyllic Austrian childhood, where she discovered a passion for horse riding, to international show jumping competitions, her journey reflects discipline and determination. An accident may have paused her equestrian career, but it became the catalyst for an extraordinary reinvention.

Fran’s accomplishments are as multifaceted as they are inspiring. A polyglot and a distinguished alumna of Institut Le Rosey, she has made her mark as a model for global luxury brands, a producer of critically acclaimed films, and a co-founder of Bulletproof Israel, championing impactful causes. As she prepares to return to the show jumping stage, the stables once again serve as a grounding force in her dynamic life—a testament to her unwavering spirit and boundless ambition.

You discovered your passion for horse riding at a young age. How did growing up in Austria and spending time at the stables influence your early years?

I believe that growing up in Carinthia, the south of Austria, a rural region of the country on the border with Italy, has allowed me to really “be a child.” I grew up surrounded by nature, with conservative values, and somewhat removed from the rest of the world. I was always very athletic but particularly drawn to horses, so I begged my mum to take me horse riding very early.

We were lucky to almost immediately find what would become my “home” stable, Reitstall Hattenberger. There, I found community within the team and with the other girls who were training alongside me. Not only do a lot of my core childhood memories come from that time in the stable, but the sport also taught me respect and discipline, as much of it wasn’t “just” riding but also taking responsibility for and being empathetic toward another living being, the horse, and cleaning up after myself.

Your accident at 17 was a life-changing moment. How did stepping away from showjumping impact your personal growth and career direction?

The accident happened at an already defining time in my life, my senior year in high school while I was home on winter break. It was the day before Christmas, and we had just finished a show jumping intensive course at our stable. Afterwards, I came in to ride the horses before we let them rest over the holidays. I felt that my horse was nervous that day, but being an advanced rider, it didn’t worry me too much. However, she spooked while we were simply walking. All it really ever takes is one bad fall—that was it.

I ended up breaking my L1 and L2 in my lumbar vertebrae as well as a couple of ribs. Thankfully, it was immediately clear that my spinal cord had remained unharmed, which meant there would be no permanent life-changing damage. However, recovery was long. I wasn’t only not allowed to horse ride for the next few months but also wasn’t allowed to ski or do any other sports when I returned to school for our winter semester in the Swiss mountains.

When I was better and tried to reengage in horse riding, I felt a lot of pain, so I had to continue my pause. This took me to the end of high school, and I left for college, initially in the UK. It became clear very quickly that the combination of my health recovery and the logistics of moving to central London eliminated horse riding from my life.

Meanwhile, I only spent one year in London before realizing that I wanted to pursue entertainment, so I moved to Los Angeles. While it felt terrifying to move so far away from what was familiar, finding the courage to do that was one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life.

Being fluent in six languages is an incredible skill. How has this ability shaped your interactions and opportunities in the global arena?

I grew up bilingual—German and Romanian—and, as aforementioned, my childhood was quite protected. However, I went to boarding school quite young (11), a school in Switzerland where the two spoken languages were English and French. I did not speak either, so when I arrived, I felt both isolated and “locked in my own head,” as I couldn’t express myself or really communicate with the teachers or other students.

I remember finding comfort in two things—sports (especially our school stable, even though it wasn’t quite the same as at home) and entertainment. I would rewatch Harry Potter and other movies I loved secretly at night on repeat, finding a kind of “magic” that bridged the time during which I learned the spoken languages.

Learning English happened quite fast out of pure necessity to exist within that environment. I think that these circumstances and the fact that I had a Germanic base (because of German) and a Latin base (because of Romanian) set me up to pick up other languages really fast, too.

Of course, this has helped me immensely moving forward in life, especially when one’s math or natural science skills are rather underwhelming. But jokes aside, academic success has always come fairly easily to me in terms of languages and social sciences, and that has carried into my professional life too. I love people, thrive in social environments, and gain energy from interpersonal interactions.

Languages have always symbolized a way of connecting to and understanding people on a deeper level. The curiosity that propelled me to master them more and more has naturally led me to travel across the world and form genuine bonds and friendships.

Your career spans luxury modeling, film production, and philanthropy. What drives your passion for pursuing such a dynamic range of work?

I would say it was purely circumstantial. For a long time, I wished I had gone down a more “traditional” or linear career path, but lately, it has started to come together. From around the time when I found magic in film while feeling alone in boarding school, I wanted to be in the film industry, predominantly acting. Again, I am grateful for the support and encouragement of my family and best friends to actually try that because where I am from, working in entertainment, let alone as talent, is a very foreign concept that one “sees on TV.” However, when I started acting and subsequently producing, I soon felt that maybe I wasn’t in it for the right reasons. I had a desire to be in the industry but not just for the sake of fame or adulation—it was about contributing to art in a meaningful way.

I realized that my true passion lay in the behind-the-scenes work of production, organizing, and building something that could last and have a genuine impact. That’s when I transitioned into producing and developing creative projects that align with my values. Over time, I also found that philanthropy became the perfect outlet for my interests. I’ve always felt compelled to make a difference, so supporting organizations that help those in need has been an essential part of my journey.

Tell us about Bulletproof Israel. What inspired you to co-found this initiative, and what role do you play in it?

Bulletproof Israel was born out of a desire to make a difference in the world—particularly in conflict zones and countries facing political instability. Growing up in Austria and being exposed to international news at a young age, I always felt a responsibility to help. When I was introduced to the work of some incredible people who were actively involved in security and peace-building efforts, I realized I could contribute by using my skills and resources to support these causes.

As a co-founder, my role involves overseeing strategic partnerships, fundraising, and connecting with global networks to bring attention to the issues we are tackling. The organization works on providing solutions for individuals living in high-risk areas, ranging from financial aid to creating awareness about security and education. I’ve learned so much from the people involved, and it’s been an incredibly rewarding experience to see how much can be achieved when you align people’s efforts for the common good.

You’ve recently returned to the show jumping scene. How has returning to the sport felt after such a long break, and what are your goals moving forward?

Returning to show jumping after such a long hiatus has felt both exhilarating and challenging. It’s incredible to be back in the saddle, especially considering how deeply ingrained this sport is in my identity. But it’s also humbling—my body had to relearn certain movements and adjust to the intensity that comes with competition.

The journey back has been a gradual process, and I’m focusing on building strength and mental resilience. Moving forward, I’m setting goals that are about more than just winning ribbons; I want to integrate my love for horses with my broader aspirations. I’m passionate about promoting equestrianism as an inclusive sport for people of all backgrounds. I hope to inspire others, especially young girls, to pursue their dreams in this beautiful and challenging field.

You live a nomadic life between multiple countries. How has this lifestyle influenced your perspective on life and your work?

Living between different places like New York, Miami, and Santa Barbara has definitely given me a fresh perspective on both life and work. Travelling constantly and immersing myself in various cultures has taught me to be adaptable, open-minded, and curious.
It’s also made me appreciate the importance of balance. When you’re constantly moving and working on various projects, it can be easy to lose sight of what’s truly important. I’ve learned to prioritize self-care and time for reflection.

Being able to retreat to different environments—whether it’s a quiet spot in the mountains or a serene beach—has been essential for maintaining my creative energy and mental clarity. Ultimately, this nomadic lifestyle has fostered a sense of gratitude for the opportunities I’ve had. I don’t take any experience or moment for granted. Each place I visit leaves me with something valuable to incorporate into my work and my life philosophy.

What does the future hold for you? What projects are you excited about?

Looking ahead, I’m excited about blending my passions in ways that continue to create impact. I have a few film projects in the pipeline that focus on social issues I care deeply about, as well as a couple of new philanthropic initiatives that I’m thrilled to bring to life. I’m also focused on expanding Bulletproof Israel and its work on the ground, helping more people in need across the globe.
In the personal realm, I’m committed to returning to the show jumping circuit more seriously and using my platform to bring attention to the sport’s positive influence on youth development.

Ultimately, I hope to continue evolving as a creator, a philanthropist, and someone who can inspire others to push the boundaries of what’s possible. The future is exciting, and I’m ready to embrace whatever comes next.

What’s one piece of advice you would give to someone wanting to follow a path similar to yours?

Don’t be afraid to start over, and don’t be afraid to change directions when the time is right. I think it’s easy to feel pressured to stay on one set path, but life is fluid, and it’s okay to pivot and reinvent yourself. The most important thing is to stay true to your values, be adaptable, and embrace the unexpected. Be patient with yourself and trust that every experience—even the setbacks—will help you grow. And remember that there’s no one right way to succeed. Your journey is unique, and it’s okay to take it one step at a time.

Fran’s Holiday Rules

What’s the one item you never travel without?

My Dyson Airwrap.

Do you prefer riding through the countryside or exploring a new city on foot?

Riding through the countryside. I would still love to do that, as a show jumper you don’t leave the training ring much.

What is your favourite destination for a quick weekend escape?

Anything with a nice beach.

What’s your go-to airport outfit?

Baggy jeans, t-shirt, big hoodie I can hide in.

A city you could visit again and again?

Rome.

What’s the most adventurous meal you’ve had while travelling?

Alligator in Kenya. I really don’t recommend it. It tastes like fishy, chewy chicken.

Dream location for your next getaway?

Mexico. Even though I’ve lived in LA for 7 years, I’ve never even been.

Favourite travel hack you swear by?

Avoiding aeroplane food and other processed products.

What’s your ultimate packing tip?

Organization. I preplan my outfits for each day and time of the trip, with 2-3 backup outfits. It saves a lot of space in terms of luggage but also allows you to enjoy the trip because you don’t have to think about what to wear anymore.

Horseback riding along the coast or a luxurious beach resort—what’s your perfect getaway?

Horseback riding along the coast AT a luxurious beach resort.

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