Liya Kebede
Liya Kebede was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on March 1st, 1978 and is the Model. At the age of 46, Liya Kebede biography, profession, age, height, weight, eye color, hair color, build, measurements, education, career, dating/affair, family, news updates, and networth are available.
At 46 years old, Liya Kebede has this physical status:
Liya Kebede (born 1 March 1978) is an Ethiopian-born model, maternal health advocate, clothing designer, and actress.
She has appeared on Vogue's front page three times. Since 2005, Kebede has been the WHO Ambassador for Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health.
Early life and education
Kebede was born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She is an ethnic Amhara. She is the only daughter in the family and has four brothers. While attending Lyce Guebre-Mariam, the school in which she learned fluent French, a film producer discovered her and introduced her to a French modeling agent. After finishing her studies, she moved to France to work with a Parisian firm. Later moved to the United States, first to Chicago and then New York City.
Personal life
Kebede married Ethiopian hedge fund manager Kassy Kebede in 2000. Suhul (September 2000) and daughter Raee (August 2005). The family lived in New York City as of 2007. The couple separated in 2013 and divorced in 2015.
Modeling career
Kebede's big break came when Tom Ford pleaded for an exclusive deal for his Gucci Fall/Winter 2000 fashion show. In May 2002, then appeared on the front page of Paris Vogue, which devoted the entire issue to her.
Kebede has appeared on the front pages of Italian, Japanese, American, French, and Spanish Vogue, V, i-D, and Time's Style & Design. She has been featured in ads including those for Shiatzy Chen, Gap, Yves Saint-Laurent, Victoria's Mystery, Emanuel Ungaro, Tommy Hilfiger, Revlon, Dolce & Gabbana, Escada, and Louis Vuitton.
Kebede was the first Ethiopian to represent the company in its 57-year history in 2003. Her deal was estimated to be worth $3 million. At this point in Kebede's career, she was ranked #1 on models.com.
Forbes named her eleventh in the world's Top-Earning Supermodels in July 2007, with Kebede earning $2.5 million in less than a year. James Scully, a casting agent, likened her to "an exotic Grace Kelly" over the next year.
In 2009, Kebede appeared in the film-adaption of Waris Dirie's best-selling autobiography Desert Flower. The film chronicles Dirie's childhood in Somalia, her rise to fame, and a subsequent campaign against female circumcision. It premiered at the Venice Film Festival and received a standing ovation. Kebede has appeared in The Good Shepherd (2006) and Lord of War (2005). In May 2009's US Vogue, she appeared as a "Face of the Moment."
Kebede was one of the models featured in Lacoste's "new look" campaign in January 2011, with ads starring models wearing white Lacoste polo shirts over black evening clothing worn over black evening attire.
In a Calvin Klein ad, Kebede appeared alongside Jake Gyllenhaal.
Kebede is now on the list of "New Supers" by models.com.
In 2007, Kebede introduced Lemlem, a clothing line. Hand-spun, woven and embroidered women and children's clothing are among Amharic's Lemlem's clothing that can be used "to bloom" in Amharic. Kebede established the company to help preserve Ethiopia's traditional weaving and also provide local artisans with work opportunities. In 150 stores, the line is available.