Date of Birth: September 13, 1953
Zodiac Sign: Virgo
Biography
Iyanla Vanzant, born Rhonda Eva Harris, is an American inspirational speaker, lawyer, spiritual teacher, author, and television personality. She was born on September 13, 1953, in Brooklyn, New York. Vanzant is best known for her books on personal development and her television appearances, particularly as the host of the show “Iyanla: Fix My Life” on the Oprah Winfrey Network. Vanzant’s early life was marked by personal challenges, including the death of her mother when she was just two years old and a troubled childhood in the foster care system. Despite these hardships, she went on to earn a law degree from the City University of New York School of Law. She practiced law for several years before turning to spiritual counseling and writing. Her breakthrough came with the publication of her book “Acts of Faith: Daily Meditations for People of Color” in 1993. Since then, she has written numerous best-selling books, including “In the Meantime,” “Yesterday, I Cried,” and “Peace from Broken Pieces.” Vanzant has also been a frequent guest on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and has received numerous awards for her work in the fields of personal development and spirituality.
5 Interesting Facts about Iyanla Vanzant
1. Iyanla Vanzant’s name means “Great Mother” in Yoruba, a name given to her by an Ifa priest.
2. She was named one of the 100 most influential Black Americans by Ebony magazine in 2000.
3. Vanzant has received an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work.
4. She was once a regular guest on “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” which significantly boosted her career.
5. Despite her success, Vanzant has been open about her struggles with mental health and financial difficulties, including a period of bankruptcy.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Iyanla Vanzant
1. “When you stand and share your story in an empowering way, your story will heal you and your story will heal somebody else.”
2. “You have to meet people where they are, and sometimes you have to leave them there.”
3. “Everything that happens to you is a reflection of what you believe about yourself.”
4. “There’s nothing wrong with you. There’s nothing wrong with you. There are things that you have experienced, and you’re still here.”
5. “The way to achieve your own success is to be willing to help somebody else get it first.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At her peak, Iyanla Vanzant’s net worth was estimated to be around $4 million.
Children
Iyanla Vanzant has three children: Gemmia, Damon, and Nisa. Tragically, her daughter Gemmia passed away in 2003 from a rare form of colon cancer.
Relevant Links
1. [Iyanla Vanzant Official Website](https://iyanla.com/
2. [Iyanla Vanzant on Oprah.com](https://www.oprah.com/sp/iyanla-vanzant.html
3. [Iyanla Vanzant’s Books on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Iyanla-Vanzant/e/B001IGQKPM
4. [Iyanla: Fix My Life on OWN](https://www.oprah.com/app/iyanla-fix-my-life.html
5. [Iyanla Vanzant’s Twitter](https://twitter.com/IyanlaVanzant
