Iman (model) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Iman Mohamed Abdulmajid
Iman Mohamed in 1994
Born	Zara Mohamed Abdulmajid (1955-07-25) July 25, 1955 (age 70) Mogadishu, Somalia
Nationality	Somalian, American
Occupation	Model, Celebrity
Years active	1975 - present
Spouse(s)	Hassan ​ ​ (m. 1973; div. 1975)​ Spencer Haywood ​ ​ (m. 1977; div. 1987)​ David Bowie ​ ​ (m. 1992; died 2016)​
Children	2, including Lexi
Modeling information
Height	175 cm (5 ft 9 in)
Hair color	Dark brown
Agency	Tess Management (London)

Iman Mohamed Abdulmajid (Somali: Iimaan Maxamed Cabdulmajiid), known simply as Iman, is a famous Somali-American model and actress. She was born Zara Mohamed Abdulmajid on July 25, 1955. Iman became a favorite of many top designers like Gianni Versace and Yves Saint Laurent. She is also known for her important work helping others. From 1992 until his death in 2016, she was married to the musician David Bowie.

Early Life and Education

Iman Mohamed was born Zara Mohamed Abdulmajid in Mogadishu, Somalia. She was raised in the Islamic faith. Later, her grandfather suggested she be renamed Iman, which means "faith" in Arabic. He believed this name would bring her good fortune.

Iman's father, Mohamed Abdulmajid, was a diplomat who served as the Somali ambassador to Saudi Arabia. Her mother, Mariam, was a gynecologist. Iman has four siblings: two brothers and two sisters. She was the first girl born in her father's family in six generations.

Iman lived with her grandparents when she was very young. At age four, she went to a boarding school in Egypt, where she spent most of her childhood. Due to political problems in Somalia, her family moved to Kenya. Iman briefly studied political science at the University of Nairobi in 1975.

Career Highlights

Becoming a Supermodel

While studying at university, Iman Mohamed was discovered by American photographer Peter Beard. She then moved to the United States to start her modeling career. Her first modeling job was for Vogue magazine in 1976. Soon after, she appeared on the covers of many famous magazines, quickly becoming a supermodel.

Iman's unique look, with her long neck, slender body, and beautiful features, made her an instant success. She became a source of inspiration for many famous designers, including Halston, Gianni Versace, and Calvin Klein. Yves Saint-Laurent even called her his "dream woman." Iman worked with legendary photographers like Richard Avedon and Annie Leibovitz. She felt supported by these designers, which helped her succeed in a time when models were often part of the creative process.

Starting Her Own Business

After modeling for nearly 20 years, Iman started her own cosmetics company in 1994. She wanted to create makeup shades that were hard for women of color to find. She used her own experience of mixing makeup for artists to create her products. Iman Mohamed Cosmetics became a very successful business.

In late 2021, Iman Mohamed launched her own perfume called "Love Memoir." The amber color of the bottle was inspired by the beautiful sunsets she shared with her husband. The bottle's shape looks like two stones, which represents a spiritual tradition of placing flat stones to guide others. This tradition is also linked to healing from sadness. Iman has done this ritual on her property.

Iman Mohamed at the Metropolitan Opera opening night in 2006

Acting and Television

Iman Mohamed also had a career in acting. She appeared in two episodes of Miami Vice in the 1980s. She also had a guest role on The Cosby Show in 1985. In the mid-2000s, Iman hosted Project Runway Canada for two years. In 2010, she co-hosted The Fashion Show with designer Isaac Mizrahi.

Iman also acted in several movies. She had a small part in the 1985 Oscar-winning film Out of Africa, which starred Robert Redford and Meryl Streep. She also appeared in the 1987 thriller No Way Out with Kevin Costner. In 1991, she was in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, playing a shapeshifting alien. She also appeared with her husband, David Bowie, in the 1991 film Linguini Incident, TheThe Linguini Incident.

Video Games

Iman Mohamed even made a special appearance in a video game! She was in the 1999 adventure game Omikron: The Nomad Soul alongside her husband, David Bowie. In the game, players could "reincarnate" into various characters, and Iman was one of them.

Helping Others (Philanthropy)

Besides running her beauty company, Iman Mohamed is very active in charity work. Since 2019, she has been the first-ever Global Advocate for CARE. She works with CARE to help create a world where poverty is overcome and everyone lives with dignity.

Iman is also a spokesperson for the Keep a Child Alive program. She works closely with the Children's Defense Fund. She is an Ambassador for Save the Children and helps raise awareness for their relief efforts in East Africa. Additionally, Iman works with the Enough Project to stop the global trade in "conflict minerals." She played a big part in the campaign against "blood diamonds" by ending her contract with the diamond company De Beers because of ethical concerns.

Awards and Recognition

Iman Mohamed has received many awards for her long career in modeling and her charity work. On June 7, 2010, she received a Fashion Icon lifetime achievement award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). This special award is given to someone whose unique style has greatly influenced fashion. Iman thanked her parents for her distinctive features, which helped her succeed.

Personal Life

Iman Mohamed with her husband David Bowie in 2009

Iman Mohamed is a Muslim. She has said that her faith has helped her through difficult times. She can speak five languages fluently: Somali, Arabic, Italian, French, and English. She also became an American citizen when she was in her twenties.

Iman was first married at age 18 to Hassan, a young Somali businessman. That marriage ended a few years later when she moved to the USA for her modeling career. In 1977, she married American basketball player Spencer Haywood. Their daughter, Zulekha Haywood, was born in 1978. Iman later became a grandmother through Zulekha. Iman and Spencer divorced in 1987.

In 1990, Iman Mohamed met the English musician David Bowie on a blind date in Los Angeles. They quickly connected. Bowie even named an instrumental music piece "Abdulmajid" after her.

Iman married David Bowie on April 24, 1992, in a private ceremony in Switzerland. They had a bigger celebration in Florence, Italy, on June 6. Their daughter, Alexandria Zahra Jones, was born on August 15, 2000. Iman is also a stepmother to Bowie's son, Duncan Jones, from a previous marriage. Both children use Bowie's legal last name. Iman and her family lived mainly in Manhattan and London. When David Bowie passed away on January 10, 2016, Iman shared a message about her faith helping her through the sadness.

Filmography

See also

In Spanish: Iman (modelo) para niños