Liya Kebede

In the world of global fashion and humanitarian work, few figures shine as brightly or with as much purpose as Liya Kebede. Born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 1978, Kebede has transcended the traditional role of a supermodel to become a powerful advocate for maternal and child health, a successful entrepreneur, and an enduring symbol of African beauty and intelligence on the international stage. Her journey from the streets of Ethiopia to the glossy pages of Vogue and the halls of the United Nations is a narrative of groundbreaking achievement and profound impact. As a supermodel & WHO Ambassador, Liya Kebede has masterfully blended her high-profile career in entertainment and fashion with a deep commitment to philanthropy, most notably through her role as a World Health Organization Goodwill Ambassador for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health. Her story is not just one of personal success but of using visibility to create tangible change, making her one of the most influential and respected figures of her generation.

Early Life and Education: Foundations in Addis Ababa

Liya Kebede was born on March 1, 1978, in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. She was raised in a relatively comfortable environment; her father was a businessman and her mother a former tour operator. From a young age, Kebede was immersed in a culture rich in history, art, and tradition, elements that would later influence her personal style and professional ventures. Her education began at the prestigious Lycée Guebre-Mariam, a French international school in Addis Ababa, where instruction was primarily in French. This multilingual foundation—speaking Amharic, French, and later English—would prove invaluable for her international career.

Her foray into modeling started serendipitously while she was still a schoolgirl. At the age of 18, Kebede was discovered by a French film director, though her path was not instantaneous. She initially pursued higher education, but the allure of modeling grew stronger after she won a scholarship to a modeling competition in Paris. With her family's support, she moved to France to pursue opportunities, a decision that marked the beginning of her global journey. These formative years in Ethiopia instilled in her a strong sense of identity and a connection to her homeland that would remain central to her persona and her work, even as she ascended to the pinnacle of the global fashion industry.

Career and Major Achievements: A Trailblazer in Fashion and Advocacy

Ascent to Supermodel Status

Liya Kebede's modeling career gained significant traction after she signed with the Parisian agency Viva Model Management. Her breakthrough on the global stage came in 2000 when she was featured in a campaign for the iconic fashion house Gucci, curated by then-creative director Tom Ford. This high-profile exposure catapulted her into the fashion elite. Soon after, she graced the covers of virtually every major fashion publication, including:

• Vogue (Paris, US, Japanese, and Italian editions)
• Harper's Bazaar
• Elle

In a historic moment for the industry, she became the first woman of color to sign a major cosmetics contract with Estée Lauder in 2003, a role she held for nearly a decade. This contract was a milestone, challenging long-standing beauty standards and paving the way for greater diversity in beauty advertising. Throughout the 2000s, she walked runways for the world's most prestigious designers, from Yves Saint Laurent and Dolce & Gabbana to Michael Kors and Louis Vuitton, solidifying her status as a top-tier supermodel.

World Health Organization Ambassador and Advocacy

Parallel to her fashion success, Liya Kebede developed a powerful second act as a humanitarian. In 2005, she was appointed as a WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health. This role was deeply personal for Kebede, who, as a mother, was acutely aware of the disparities in healthcare access between the developed world and countries like her native Ethiopia. She has used her platform tirelessly to advocate for:

• Reducing maternal and infant mortality rates.
• Increasing access to skilled healthcare workers and essential medicines.
• Raising global awareness and funding for reproductive health initiatives.

Her advocacy is not ceremonial; she frequently travels to field programs in Africa and Asia, speaks at high-level forums like the World Economic Forum and the UN General Assembly, and has produced a documentary, The Giving Birth in America, highlighting maternal health challenges even in the United States.

Entrepreneurship with Lemlem

Driven by a desire to create sustainable economic opportunities in Africa, Liya Kebede founded the clothing brand Lemlem in 2007. The word "lemlem" means "to bloom" in Amharic, and the brand's mission is to preserve the traditional art of Ethiopian weaving while providing jobs for local artisans. Starting with children's clothing and expanding into women's wear, swimwear, and home goods, Lemlem has become a celebrated label in the sustainable and ethical fashion space. It is sold in major retailers like Net-a-Porter and MatchesFashion, proving that a business can be both commercially successful and socially responsible. This venture perfectly encapsulates Kebede's ethos: leveraging her influence in fashion to create positive social impact.

Personal Life, Philanthropy, and Lasting Legacy

Liya Kebede is known for guarding her private life, but it is known that she married Ethiopian businessman Kassy Kebede in 2000. The couple has two children, a son named Suhul and a daughter named Raee. Despite her global lifestyle, she maintains strong ties to Ethiopia and is often seen spending time there with her family. Her personal interests extend into the arts and cinema; she made her acting debut in the 2009 film The Good Shepherd and later appeared in Desert Flower (2009), the adaptation of fellow model Waris Dirie's autobiography.

Her philanthropic work is channeled primarily through her Liya Kebede Foundation, established to support her advocacy for maternal health. The foundation works to reduce maternal, newborn, and child mortality by supporting low-cost, effective interventions and training health workers in Ethiopia and beyond. Kebede's legacy is multifaceted: she is a supermodel who redefined global beauty standards, a compassionate ambassador who gave a powerful voice to vulnerable mothers, and a savvy entrepreneur who built a bridge between traditional craftsmanship and the modern global market. She has inspired a generation of African models and demonstrated that a career in the spotlight can be a platform for profound humanitarian service.

Net Worth and Business Ventures

While exact figures are often private, Liya Kebede's successful career across multiple industries has resulted in an estimated net worth in the range of tens of millions of dollars. Her wealth stems from a diversified portfolio:

• Modeling Contracts: Her landmark, multi-year contract with Estée Lauder and numerous high-fashion runway and campaign deals formed the initial financial cornerstone.
• Entrepreneurship: Her brand, Lemlem, is a significant and growing asset. As a pioneering label in the artisan-driven, sustainable fashion sector, it has attracted a loyal customer base and critical acclaim, contributing substantially to her wealth and economic impact in Ethiopia.
• Investments and Partnerships: Kebede has leveraged her status through strategic brand partnerships, endorsements, and likely private investments aligned with her values.

More than just personal wealth, her business acumen is evidenced by Lemlem's success, which stands as a testament to her vision of creating a sustainable business model that supports artisans and promotes Ethiopian culture on a worldwide scale. This blend of commerce and social good is a hallmark of Liya Kebede's approach to her career and legacy.