Background

Iman was born Zara Mohamed Abdulmajid on July 25, 1955, in Mogadishu, Somalia. She is the daughter of Marian Abdulmajid, a gynecologist, and Mohamed Abdulmajid, a diplomat and former Somali ambassador to Saudi Arabia. Among Iman's siblings are Elias Abdulmajid, Feisal Abdulmajid, Idil Abdulmajid and Nadia Abdulmajid.

When Iman's parents met, Somalia didn't have independence. She was born into a family, that was very politically active. Growing up, her house was bustling with people; her parents were holding meetings and discussions, so she was constantly aware of what was going on.

Education

In her early years, Iman lived with her grandparents. Later, her parents sent her to Egypt to study at a boarding school. In 1975, she finished Benadir Secondary School in Mogadishu. Then, Iman studied political science at the University of Nairobi for a brief period. During her studies, Iman also worked as a translator to help pay her tuition costs.

Career

It was in 1975, that Iman began modeling, after she had been discovered by American photographer Peter Beard, who persuaded her to move to the United States. The next year, she took her first modeling assignment with Vogue magazine, landed some of the most prestigious magazine covers, establishing herself as a supermodel. She was treasured by designers for her exotic looks and served as a muse for Yves Saint-Laurent, Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, and many other designers. In 1989, Iman retired from modeling, saying it was not fulfilling. She refocused on developing businesses and her charitable work.

In 1994, Iman established her own cosmetics firm - Iman Cosmetics - with a focus on difficult-to-find shades for women. In collaboration with the Home Shopping Network, she co-created a clothing design line - Global Chic. Her first collection introduced embroidered one-size-fits-all caftans. It was inspired by her childhood in Egypt and modeling time with Halston.

As for Iman's acting career, she appeared in such movies, as The Human Factor (1979), Exposed (1983), Out of Africa (1985), No Way Out (1987), Surrender (1987), House Party 2 (1991), L.A. Story (1991), Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991), The Linguini Incident (1991), Heart of Darkness (1994) and Exit to Eden (1994). The television series she acted in include Miami Vice (1984 - 1990), In the Heat of the Night (1988 - 1995), among others. Iman also appeared as a host in Project Runway Canada (2007 - 2009) and The Fashion Show: Ultimate Collection (2009 - 2011). She also had a guest role as Mrs. Montgomery on The Cosby Show (1985).

Speaking about Iman's charitable work, it's important to mention, that in 2019, she was made CARE's first-ever global advocate. She also serves as a spokesperson for the Keep a Child Alive program, works closely with the Children's Defense Fund and holds the position of an ambassador for Save the Children, among other duties.

In addition, Iman authored such works, as I Am Iman (2001), The Beauty of Color (2005) and One Love Lost: A True Story (2005).

Currently, Iman divides her time between New York City and London.

Achievements

• 

  Somali beauty Iman (Zara Mohamed Abdulmajid) was one of the first women of color to dominate the fashion industry in the '70s and '80s. She became Gianni Versace's muse and was described by Yves Saint-Laurent as his "dream girl." Iman landed magazine covers around the world at a time when women of color weren't represented in the media.
  
  Besides having a successful career in modeling, Iman gained prominence as a philanthropist, who was made CARE's first-ever global advocate. She has also made her contribution to the Keep a Child Alive program, the Children's Defense Fund, and Save the Children. She also plays a key role in ending the global trade in conflict minerals. Moreover, she contributed to the public campaign against blood diamonds through the termination of her contract with the diamond conglomerate De Beers over a conflict of ethics.
  
  Iman is also a successful entrepreneur, who established a prosperous cosmetics firm - Iman Cosmetics. The company was a $25-million-a-year business by 2010.
  
  During her lifetime, Iman has attained a number of prestigious awards, which include the Fashion Icon Lifetime Achievement Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America, the BET Honors Service Award and the Franca Sozzani Award.
  
  "Iman Day" was declared in New York City on February 29, 1980 by Tom Bradley.

Works

More photos

• book

  • The Beauty of Color

    (Iman, a world-famous model and founder of a successful co...)

    2005
  • One Love Lost: A True Story

    (This book was based on a true story of the travels and tr...)

    2005
  • I am Iman 2001

• movie

  • L.A. Story

    (With the help of a talking freeway billboard, a wacky wea...)

    1991
  • The Human Factor

    (When a leak of information in the African section of Brit...)

    1979
  • Out of Africa

    (In 20th-century colonial Kenya, a Danish baroness/plantat...)

    1985
  • The Linguini Incident

    (Two disgruntled restaurant employees (David Bowie, Rosann...)

    1991
  • House Party 2

    (When Kid's college money is stolen by a crooked music pro...)

    1991
  • Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country

    (On the eve of retirement, Kirk and McCoy are charged with...)

    1991
  • Exposed

    (Elizabeth Carlson is a Wisconsin girl who comes to New Yo...)

    1983
  • No Way Out

    (A cover-up and witch-hunt occur after a politician accide...)

    1987

Religion

Due to her conservative upbringing, Iman would hide her nude portraits, photographed by Richard Avedon, when her parents would come to visit her. She recalled: "Combining my work with my religion was one of the most difficult things. It is complicated to be photographed in a provocative way, even if the pictures are artful. I shot stunning nudes with Richard Avedon, one of the most iconic photographers ever, and although I was proud of these images, when my parents would come to visit me, I would hide them under the bed. There was no way I could explain to my father that that was art. In fact, I never reconciled posing nude with my religion and family. I always say, may Allah have mercy on my soul if I have not done it right."

Views

Iman is an ardent philanthropist. In 2019, she was made a global advocate of CARE, the esteemed anti-poverty and humanitarian organization. Iman works to strengthen its ongoing mission to end poverty, with an emphasis on aiding refugee girls and women both domestically and internationally. In one of her interviews, she said:" "I want to empower girls and women who are in camps, whether it's in Syria or at the U.S.-Mexico border. I want to see that they are taken care of and feel safe."

In addition to championing human rights organizations like CARE, Iman's passion for advocacy has permeated the fashion and beauty arenas. Not long into her modeling career, which brought her to the United States and officially kicked off in 1976 with a photoshoot for American Vogue, the runway fixture demanded - and eventually received - equal pay when she discovered that her white counterparts were making more money for similar jobs, causing a ripple effect for other models of color at the time. Continuing her fight for women of color, Iman in 1994 launched her eponymous cosmetics line, which still stands today, focusing on difficult-to-find shades for darker complexions.

During her lifetime, Iman has also lent her support to many other charities, such as Keep a Child Alive, Save the Children and the Children's Defense Fund.

Quotations: "I had breast enlargement to quiet that noise in my head and fill the gaping hole in my self-esteem."

"The day you settle for less is the day you will get less."

"The women I gravitate to are the ones who defy convention and reinvent themselves - hence, they reinvent the world around them."

"Eliminating the things you love is not wellness. Wellness feeds your soul and makes you feel good."

"I believe in glamour. I am in favor of a little vanity. I don't rely on just my genes."

"I suffer from low self-esteem. I had horrible self-esteem growing up. You really have to save yourself because the critic within you will eat you up. It's not the outside world - it's your interior life, that critic within you, that you have to silence."

"Life is too short not to have pasta, steak, and butter."

"Looking good is a commitment to yourself and to others. Wigs, killer heels, Pilates, even fillers - whatever works for you, honey."

"Beauty is being comfortable and confident in your own skin."

"I am the face of a refugee."

"This is a world that needs diversity."

"The struggle is real, but so is God."

Personality

Iman speaks Somali, Arabic, Italian, French and English fluently.

Physical Characteristics: Iman has a long neck, tall stature, slender figure, fine features, copper-toned skin, and exotic accent.

In 1983, Iman got into a taxi cab accident. Her shoulder was dislocated, and she also broke three ribs, as well as her collarbone and cheekbones.

Quotes from others about the person

• Fernando Sánchez, a Spanish fashion designer: "She's the High Priestess - we all call her that (Iman means priest in Arabic)."
  
  Michelle Nunn, president and CEO of CARE (United States): "Iman really represents CARE's purpose and mission, the strength of women around the world and also the capacity to create change in the world."
  
  Yves Saint-Laurent, a French fashion designer: "My dream woman is Iman."
  
  Thierry Mugler, a French fashion designer: "She feels the atmosphere of the crowd (and holds their attention like nobody else). She knows how to use those hips. I know how to dress them. We go to the extreme together."
  
  Fernando Sánchez, a Spanish fashion designer: "Of course she's dramatic, but behind the slightly grand attitude she is very professional... And whatever happens... she'll handle it: make them laugh, keep them in awe - whatever is needed to cover a disaster. But beyond the fact that she's famous, Iman is the perfect model, she gives expression to the clothes."
  
  Bill Blass, an American fashion designer: "The truth is, she's a great actress. She uses her body like an instrument."

Interests

• Traveling

• Artists

  Faten Ha­mama, Mariam Fakhr Eddine, Jean-Michel Basquiat

• Sport & Clubs

  Boxing

• Music & Bands

  Umm Kulthum; the "Barry Lyndon" soundtrack

Connections

Iman was married three times. Hassan, a Somali entrepreneur and Hilton hotelier executive, was her first husband. The couple divorced in 1975.

In 1977, Iman dated American actor Warren Beatty. Later that year, she became engaged to American basketball player, Spencer Haywood, whom she married the same year, in 1977. The following year, in 1978, the couple gave birth to their daughter, Zulekha Haywood. In 1987, Iman and Spencer divorced.

It was on April 24, 1992, that Iman married her third husband, David Bowie, who passed away in 2016. They gave birth to a daughter, named Alexandria Zahra Jones. Besides, Iman is a stepmother to Bowie's son from a previous marriage, Duncan Jones.

Father:

Mohamed Abdulmajid

Mohamed Abdulmajid is a diplomat. He held the post of a Somali ambassador to Saudi Arabia. Before becoming a diplomat, he had served as a teacher.

Mother:

Marian Abdulmajid

(died 2016)

Marian Abdulmajid was a gynecologist. Also, together with her husband, she fought for Somalia's independence in 1960.

ex-partner:

Warren Beatty

(born March 30, 1937)

Warren Beatty, in full Henry Warren Beatty (born Beaty), is an American actor, director, producer and screenwriter.

Daughter:

Zulekha Haywood

(born July 5, 1978)

Zulekha Haywood is a business analyst and businesswoman.

Brother:

Elias Abdulmajid

Brother:

Feisal Abdulmajid

Sister:

Idil Abdulmajid

Idil lives in Annandale, Virginia.

Sister:

Nadia Abdulmajid

Nadia lives in Washington and works as a hairstylist.

Ex-husband:

Hassan

Hassan is a Somali entrepreneur and Hilton hotelier executive.

Ex-husband:

Spencer Haywood

(born April 22, 1949)

Spencer Haywood is an American former professional basketball player and Olympic gold medalist.

Late Husband:

David Bowie

(born January 8, 1947 -died January 10, 2016)

David Robert Jones, known professionally as David Bowie, was an English singer, songwriter and actor.

Daughter:

Alexandria Zahra Jones

(born August 15, 2000)

stepson:

Duncan Jones

(born May 30, 1971)

Duncan Jones, in full Duncan Zowie Haywood Jones, is a British film director, producer and screenwriter.

Influence:

Umm Kulthum

Umm Kulthum, born Fāṭima 'Ibrāhīm es-Sayyid el-Beltāǧī, was an Egyptian singer, songwriter, and film actress active from the 1920s to the 1970s.

In one of her interviews, Iman stated, that Umm Kulthum greatly influenced her modeling career. She said: "When I started modeling, I never forgot how Umm Kulthum used to carry herself. From her, I learned the drama and the absolute stillness when you are on the runway and how to command with grace and dignity, but without having to be too much."

Influence:

Faten Hamama

(born May 27, 1931 - died January 17, 2015)

Faten Hamama, in full Faten Ahmed Hamama, was an Egyptian film and television actress and film producer.

In one of her interviews, Iman stated, that Faten Hamama greatly influenced her modeling career.

Friend:

Isaac Mizrahi

(born October 14, 1961)

Isaac Mizrahi is an American fashion designer, TV presenter, and Chief Designer of the Isaac Mizrahi brand for Xcel Brands.

Friend:

Isabella Rossellini

(born June 18, 1952)

Isabella Rossellini, in full Isabella Fiorella Elettra Giovanna Rossellini, an Italian-American actress, author, philanthropist, and former model.

Friend:

Rosario Dawson

(born May 9, 1979)

Rosario Dawson, in full Rosario Isabel Dawson, is an American actress, voice actress, producer, and activist.

References

• Iman's Instagram
• Iman's Twitter
• Iman's Facebook
• Iman Cosmetics Website