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ImanSomali and American fashion model
Date of Birth: 25.07.1955
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Biography of Iman
- Education and Early Career
- Rise to Supermodel Stardom
- Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy
- Personal Life
Biography of Iman
Iman Mohamed Abdulmajid, known simply as Iman, is a Somali-American supermodel, actress, and entrepreneur. She is renowned as a pioneer in ethnic cosmetics and is also known for her extensive charitable work. Born on July 25, 1955, in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, Iman was raised in a family with her parents, Marian and Mohamed Abdulmajid. Her father was a diplomat and former Somali ambassador to Saudi Arabia. Iman has two brothers, Elyas and Feisal, and a sister named Nadia.
Education and Early Career
Iman completed her schooling in Egypt before moving to Kenya, where she studied political science at Nairobi University. As a member of a multilingual family, Iman is fluent in Somali, Arabic, Italian, French, and English. While still a university student, Iman caught the eye of American photographer Peter Beard, who encouraged her to pursue a career in modeling in the United States. In 1976, she had her first major assignment with Vogue magazine, launching her international modeling career. Despite her stunning appearance, Iman insists that she looks like any other ordinary woman from Somalia.
Rise to Supermodel Stardom
Iman quickly became a muse for renowned fashion designers such as Roy Halston, Gianni Versace, Calvin Klein, Issey Miyake, Donna Karan, and especially Yves Saint Laurent, who referred to her as the woman of his dreams. Throughout her 14-year career as a supermodel, Iman worked with esteemed photographers including Helmut Newton, Richard Avedon, Irving Penn, and Annie Leibovitz, gracing the covers of prestigious magazines.
Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy
Following her retirement from modeling, Iman founded her own cosmetics company in 1994, with a specific focus on creating makeup for women with darker skin tones. Personally overseeing the development of each product, she became the face of her company, Iman Cosmetics. By 2010, the company had grown into a multi-million-dollar enterprise, generating an annual revenue of $25 million. In collaboration with the Home Shopping Network, Iman also launched her clothing and accessories line, "Global Chic." She has hosted various television programs related to the fashion industry and has acted in approximately 20 films and television series, including her role as Martia in "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country."
Iman is actively involved in several charitable initiatives, representing the "Keep A Child Alive" program and working closely with the Children's Defense Fund. Her philanthropic efforts reflect her dedication to improving the lives of children.
Personal Life
Iman married for the first time at the age of 18 to a young Somali man she deeply loved. However, their marriage ended a few years later when she moved to the United States to pursue her modeling career. In 1977, Iman married American basketball player Spencer Haywood, and they welcomed their daughter, Zulekha Haywood, the following year. They divorced in February 1987. Five years later, on April 24, 1992, Iman married British rock musician David Bowie. Together, they have a daughter named Alexandria Zahra 'Lexi' Jones, born on August 15, 2000. Iman also became the stepmother to Bowie's son from a previous marriage, Duncan Jones, a British film director. Both Duncan and Lexi carry the Bowie surname. Iman and her family primarily reside in London and Manhattan, New York City.
