Biography
Who is Waris Dirie?
Early Life in Somalia and London
Waris Dirie was born in 1965 in the Galkayo area of Somalia. She grew up in a nomadic family, one of twelve children. Her first name means 'desert flower' in Somali. When she was thirteen, Waris left home to avoid an arranged marriage to a man aged 60. She traveled through the desert to Mogadishu, seeking refuge with relatives.
Modeling Career and Breakthroughs
At the age of 18, Waris was discovered by photographer Mike Goss. He saw her waiting outside his daughter's school. Goss persuaded her to model for him, using the children to translate. He helped her build a portfolio and find representation, despite many agencies claiming there was no demand for black models. One of her first jobs was for Terence Donovan, who photographed her in 1987 for the Pirelli Calendar alongside Naomi Campbell.
Activism Against Female Genital Mutilation
In 1997, at the peak of her modeling success, Waris spoke publicly for the first time about the female genital mutilation (FGM) she experienced as a child. She shared her story with the women's magazine Marie Claire. That same year, she became a UN special ambassador against FGM, serving until 2003. She has since created platforms to raise awareness, including foundations, campaigns, books, and documentaries.
Author and Film Adaptations
In 1998, Waris coauthored her autobiography, "Desert Flower," which became an international bestseller, selling over 11 million copies worldwide. This book inspired a feature-length film of the same name, released in 2009. The movie, co-produced by Waris, featured Ethiopian supermodel Liya Kebede in the lead role. The film received the Bavarian Film Awards for Best Movie in 2010 and the Audience Award for Best European Film at the San Sebastián International Film Festival.
Birthday and age
Waris Dirie was born on October 21, 1965, which makes Waris 61 years old today. That birthday falls under the Libra sign. Waris shares the date with 50 other famous people.
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