Biography
Who is Zohre Esmaeli?
Early years in Afghanistan
Zohre Esmaeli was born in Kabul on July 1, 1985. She grew up in a family with seven children. Her mother passed away following a traffic accident when Zohre was only two years old. Consequently, she was raised by her father's first wife.
As a young girl in Afghanistan, she was not permitted to attend public schooling. She eventually convinced her father to let her receive an education from private tutors at home. This period of her life ended when she was thirteen, as her family decided to flee the country to escape the ongoing war and the Taliban regime.
Escape to Germany
To reach Germany, her family sold all their belongings. They traveled over 10,000 kilometers over six months via Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine, and the Czech Republic. The path involved dangerous methods like hiding in train wagons and car boots. During this transit, Zohre nearly drowned while crossing a river at the border of Slovakia.
The family spent several days imprisoned in Ukraine, where Zohre suffered from severe illness due to poor hygiene and lack of food. They arrived in Germany in 1999 and initially lived in asylum seekers' hostels in cities such as Darmstadt and Schwalbach. They eventually settled in a flat in Vellmar.
Modeling career
Zohre began her career after a chance encounter at a store in Kassel when she was sixteen. Despite early opposition from her family, she pursued modeling opportunities in Frankfurt. She later resumed her career after moving to Stuttgart.
She worked with major clients like the furniture manufacturer Bretz and designer Manfred Bogner. Her face appeared in magazines including Elle, Cosmopolitan, and Marie Claire. In 2006, designer Gerald Watelet discovered her, leading to catwalk appearances at Paris Fashion Week. She has since worked in major fashion hubs like New York and Milan.
Social advocacy work
Zohre is heavily involved in charitable initiatives in Germany. She supports the organization Afghanistan - Hilfe die ankommt e.V. By participating in sewing projects and fundraising events. She also serves as an ambassador for the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency and the charity Save Society, which focuses on combating discrimination.
Drawing from her personal experience as a refugee, she founded the Culture Coaches project. This initiative helps newly arrived families integrate into German society by providing insights into local values and culture. The project is supported by the Bürgerstiftung Berlin and has successfully raised funds through community crowdfunding efforts.
Birthday and age
Zohre Esmaeli was born on July 1, 1985, which makes Zohre 41 years old today. That birthday falls under the Cancer sign. Zohre shares the date with 68 other famous people.
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