Date of Birth: March 1, 1978
Zodiac Sign: Pisces
Biography
Liya Kebede is an Ethiopian-born supermodel, maternal health advocate, and actress who has made significant strides in the fashion industry and beyond. She was born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Discovered by a film director while attending Lycée Guebre-Mariam, a French international school in Addis Ababa, Kebede moved to France to pursue her modeling career. She first gained international prominence when she was featured on the cover of Paris Vogue in 2002, an issue entirely dedicated to her by then-editor-in-chief Carine Roitfeld. Since then, Kebede has graced the cover of numerous high-profile magazines, including Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Vanity Fair, and has worked with top designers such as Tom Ford, Ralph Lauren, and Michael Kors. Beyond modeling, Kebede has ventured into acting, appearing in films such as “The Good Shepherd” (2006) and “Desert Flower” (2009), where she portrayed the life of Somali model Waris Dirie. She is also a dedicated advocate for maternal health and has served as a Goodwill Ambassador for the World Health Organization’s Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health division. In 2007, she founded the Liya Kebede Foundation, which focuses on reducing maternal mortality in Ethiopia and around the world.
5 Interesting Facts about Liya Kebede
1. Liya Kebede was the first black model to represent Estée Lauder cosmetics.
2. She has been named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World.
3. Liya Kebede launched her own clothing line, Lemlem, in 2007, which aims to preserve the art of traditional Ethiopian weaving.
4. She has been featured in the Pirelli Calendar, a prestigious annual publication featuring top models.
5. Kebede has spoken at numerous international forums, including the World Economic Forum, advocating for maternal health and women’s rights.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Liya Kebede
1. “I think the most important thing for me is to raise awareness and to make people understand that maternal health is something that touches all of us.”
2. “Fashion is not just about looking good. It’s also about doing good and making a difference.”
3. “I want to be remembered as someone who worked hard to make a difference in the world.”
4. “Being an African woman and being successful is a great way to inspire others.”
5. “We all have a role to play in making the world a better place, and for me, that starts with improving the lives of mothers and children.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
The highest net worth achieved by Liya Kebede is estimated to be around $18 million.
Children
Liya Kebede has two children: a son named Suhul, born in 2001, and a daughter named Raee, born in 2005.
Relevant Links
1. [Liya Kebede Foundation](https://www.liyakebedefoundation.org/
2. [Lemlem Clothing Line](https://www.lemlem.com/
3. [Liya Kebede on IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1700082/
4. [Liya Kebede Vogue Paris Cover](https://models.com/work/vogue-paris-vogue-paris-may-2002-cover
