Liya Kebede is a successful model, actor, and fashion designer. Liya Kebede is an active and vocal philanthropist who has acted as the WHO’s Ambassador and runs her own non-profit organization named “Liya Kebede Foundation” in addition to being a groundbreaking Ethiopian model.
Bio and Early Life
Liya Kebede was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on March 1, 1978. She is currently 44 years old. She has also avoided discussing her parents, brothers, and other family members.
In Addis Abeba, she attended the Lycée Guebre-Mariam, a French international institution. Meanwhile, a film director noticed her and referred her to a French modeling agent. After finishing her studies, she went to Paris to pursue modeling at the age of 18, and later to New York City.
The beautiful 41-year-old model is of American-Ethiopian descent and is religiously half-Christian and half-Muslim. However, no information about her parents or family has been disclosed.
Liya Kebede’s Body Measurements
Liya has kept a very fit body structure, as the body of a model requires. She stands 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs 57 kilograms. Her tiny body structure, on the other hand, measures 33-23-34. Likewise, her shoe size is 4 (US), and her clothing size is 9. (US). Aside from that, she has dark brown hair that suits her eyes.
Quick Facts
| Full Name: | Liya Kebede |
|---|---|
| Born Date: | 01 Mar 1978 |
| Age: | 44 years |
| Horoscope: | Pisces |
| Lucky Number: | 11 |
| Lucky Stone: | Aquamarine |
| Lucky Color: | Sea Green |
| Best Match for Marriage: | Cancer, Scorpio |
| Gender: | Female |
| Profession: | Model |
| Country: | Ethiopia |
| Height: | 5 feet 10 inches (1.78m) |
| Marital Status: | divorce |
| Divorce | Kassy Kebede |
| Net Worth | $18 million dollars |
| Eye Color | dark brown |
| Hair Color | dark brown |
| Body Size | 33-23-34 |
| Birth Place | Addis Ababa |
| Nationality | American, Ethiopian |
| Ethnicity | Black |
| Religion | half-Christian and half-Muslim |
| Education | Lycée Guebre-Mariam |
| Kids | 2 (Suhul, Raee) |
| Liya Kebede Facebook | |
| Liya Kebede Twitter | |
| Liya Kebede Instagram | |
| Personal Web | Liya Kebede Personal Web |
| IMDB | Liya Kebede IMDB |
| Wiki | Liya Kebede Wiki |
Workplace existence
Kebede’s professional career began when she relocated to Paris at the age of 18. She walked the runway for several major brands, including Ralph Lauren and BCBG Max Azria. Her big break, however, came when Tom Ford gave her an exclusive contract for the Gucci Fall/Winter 2000 fashion show. After rapidly establishing herself in the competitive Paris modeling scene, she relocated to New York to continue her meteoric rise.
Soon after, in 2002, she was the face of the cover of Paris Vogue, which dedicated the full issue to her. She appeared on the covers of Italian, Japanese, American, French, and Spanish Vogue, V, Flair, i-D, and Time’s Style & Design in the years that followed. Similarly, she was chosen to appear in an advertisement alongside Shiatzy Chen, Victoria’s Secret, Emanuel Ungaro, Tommy Hilfiger, Revlon, and Louis Vuitton.
In 2003, ‘Estée Lauder’ signed Liya to a historic deal, making her the company’s first black model in its 57-year history. In 2007, Forbes ranked her 11th among the world’s top 15 highest-earning supermodels. Furthermore, Liya was the first black Estee Lauder model. She was also signed to a three-year, $9 million contract with Estee Lauder Makeup. Liya is also the founder of the Liya Kebede Foundation for Moms and Children.
Liya’s career as an actress began in 2009 when she played the main part in the film based on former supermodel Waris Dirie’s bestselling autobiography Desert Flower. Her other feature credits include Black Gold (2011), Sur la Piste du Marsupilami (2012), and Nicky Larson et le Parfum de Cupidon (2019). Kebede also appeared in the films The Good Shepherd (2006) and Master of War (2008). (2005).
Liya was also one of several models who appeared in Lacoste’s “new look” ad in January 2011. This year’s advertising idea is unique. “Unconventional Chic” was the new slogan. Mert and Marcus filmed the commercials. Models were dressed in the signature white Lacoste polo shirts, which were worn over fancy black eveningwear. Similarly, she appeared in a Calvin Klein commercial alongside Jake Gyllenhaal, and she was recently named a “New Super” by models.com.
Designer of Apparel
With the launch of her fashion label ‘LemLem’ in 2008, she formally began her career as a fashion designer. The clothing line celebrates Ethiopian traditional weaving while also providing employment chances for local artisans.
Liya was a successful model and actress who concentrated her philanthropic efforts on public health. The ‘World Health Organization’ named Liya their ‘Goodwill Envoy for Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health’ in 2005. She had even used her celebrity and wealth to create the ‘Liya Kebede Foundation’. Furthermore, this group is dedicated to reducing maternal, child, and morbidity in Ethiopia globally. She shared the stage with Philippe Rousselet at the 2022 Academy Awards. Her stunning outfit was also a hit with everyone.
Kebede has been a generous benefactor. As a result of her charitable efforts through her Liya Kebede Foundation, she was named one of Glamour’s Women of the Year in 2013.
Net Value
Liya is a well-known model, actress, health champion, and clothing designer. Her achievements have resulted in a net value of $18 million dollars. Furthermore, Forbes called her the 11th highest-earning supermodel in 2007, with a salary of $2.5 million. She is not currently signed as a brand ambassador for any companies or products. Nonetheless, she will undoubtedly be involved in big brand endorsements in the future.
Relationship Situation
Kebede married Ethiopian hedge fund investor Kassy Kebede in 2002. The couple resided in New York City for 13 years. They also had two children: Suhul, born in September 2000, and Raee, born in August 2005. However, the pair separated in 2013 and publicly divorced in 2015.
Scandal
Ethiopian-born beauty who has served as a World Health Organization goodwill ambassador has lived her life gracefully, not revealing any personal information to the world. Her divorce from ex-husband Kassy Kebede, on the other hand, was a hot subject that has now died down.
Liya Kebede’s Social media
Liya has also influenced individuals through her social media profiles. That is, she continues to actively share her life events and happy moments on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. As a result, she has amassed a large number of followers across all of her social media platforms, including 245k on Instagram, 670.1k on Facebook, and 55.5k on Twitter. She also started Twitter in October 2008.
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