Liya Kebede

Liya Kebede – Life, Career, and Famous “Quotes”

Discover the inspiring journey of Liya Kebede—Ethiopian-born supermodel, philanthropist, designer, and maternal health advocate. Explore her early life, modeling career, mission, and memorable words.

Introduction

Liya Kebede (born March 1, 1978) is an Ethiopian-born supermodel, actress, fashion designer, and health advocate whose life transcends the runway. She has used her platform to champion maternal, newborn, and child health worldwide, and to preserve Ethiopian artisanal traditions through her fashion brand. From her early years in Addis Ababa to global recognition, Kebede stands as a figure of grace, purpose, and cultural pride.

Early Life and Family

Liya Kebede was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, into a middle-class family.

She attended Lycée Guebre-Mariam, a Franco-Ethiopian school, during which she became fluent in French and English.

Growing up, Kebede entertained many possible paths—from journalism, to teaching, to becoming a flight attendant—but ultimately modeling captured her imagination.

Youth, Education & Formative Years

While she had strong academic interests and linguistic ability, Kebede chose to pursue modeling after finishing school. age 18, she moved to Paris to work with a French agency, and later relocated to the United States, first to Chicago and then to New York, to expand her career prospects.

In Chicago, she lived with her brothers while navigating the early stages of modeling in the U.S.

Modeling Career & Achievements

Kebede’s ascent in fashion was marked by both striking beauty and conscious purpose.

• Her breakthrough came in 2000, when Tom Ford selected her for an exclusive contract to walk the Gucci Fall/Winter 2000 runway.

• In 2002, Vogue Paris dedicated an entire issue to her—an extraordinary recognition.

• She has graced the covers of multiple international editions of Vogue, and appeared in campaigns for Gap, Yves Saint Laurent, Victoria’s Secret, Revlon, Dolce & Gabbana, Louis Vuitton, Escada, Emanuel Ungaro, and more.

• In 2003, Kebede became the first woman of color to serve as a representative (spokesmodel) for Estée Lauder in the company’s history.

• Her earnings placed her among the top-earning supermodels: in 2007, Forbes ranked her 11th in the list of the world’s highest-paid supermodels.

• She is widely recognized in modeling circles (e.g. on and has been called one of the “New Supers.”

Beyond modeling, Kebede also ventured into acting:

• She appeared in Lord of War (2005), The Good Shepherd (2006) and took a prominent role in Desert Flower (2009) portraying Waris Dirie.

• Other films include Black Gold (2011), The Best Offer (2013), Samba (2014), Capital (2012), and others.

Philanthropy, Advocacy & Entrepreneurial Work

While her career on the runway was flourishing, Kebede also channeled her influence toward social good.

Maternal Health & the Liya Kebede Foundation

In 2005, Kebede was appointed Goodwill Ambassador for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health by the World Health Organization (WHO). Liya Kebede Foundation, which works to reduce maternal and child mortality by supporting low-cost health care technologies, community education, training, and advocacy.

One example of her foundation’s impact: in a health center backed by the foundation, hospital deliveries increased by over 50% in one year. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Center for Global Development, and other organizations.

Lemlem — Sustainable Fashion & Cultural Heritage

In 2007, Kebede launched Lemlem, a fashion and lifestyle brand that focuses on hand-spun, handwoven garments made by artisans in Ethiopia.

The brand’s mission is twofold: to preserve Ethiopian weaving traditions and to generate economic opportunities for local artisans.

Through Lemlem, Kebede has built a bridge between fashion and social entrepreneurship, showing that style can carry meaning and purpose.

Historical & Cultural Context

Liya Kebede’s career and advocacy unfold at the intersection of fashion, development, and identity:

• She emerged as a prominent Black African face in high fashion at a time when representation of African models in global runway or beauty campaigns was limited.

• Her work in maternal health addresses a critical global issue: in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa, maternal mortality and newborn survival remain major challenges.

• Through Lemlem, she contributes to cultural preservation in Ethiopia, supporting traditional crafts in a world of fast fashion.

• In her example, she unites glamour with grounded purpose—modeling is not just about aesthetics, but about using visibility to fight inequality and improve lives.

Legacy & Influence

Liya Kebede’s legacy is multidimensional:

1. Fashion & Representation: She helped expand diversity in high fashion and showed that an Ethiopian woman could become a global icon of beauty, style, and influence.

2. Social Impact: Her foundation and advocacy efforts have brought attention and resources to maternal and child health, especially in her homeland.

3. Cultural Advocacy: Through Lemlem, she supports artisans and elevates traditional Ethiopian art forms within the global fashion world.

4. Role Model: She embodies the possibility of combining success in the public eye with deep commitment to social change—particularly inspiring to women and people from Africa.

Personality & Character

Liya Kebede carries herself with humility, determination, and an emphasis on connection:

• She often speaks of bridging her multiple identities—as a model, a mother, a daughter of Ethiopia—and never allowing one role to dominate her sense of self.

• Her commitment to service is rooted in her upbringing and personal experience: witnessing the disparities in maternal care between developed countries and Ethiopia has motivated her work.

• She values legacy over flash: her fashion and philanthropic choices tend to reflect deeper values—heritage, sustainability, dignity.

Selected Quotes & Thoughts

While Kebede is more known for her deeds than memorable aphorisms, a few statements and themes stand out in her public interviews:

“Every day we hear about the dangers of cancer, heart disease and AIDS. But how many of us realize that childbirth is still the leading cause of death in women of childbearing age in most parts of the world?”

This quote highlights her voice in bringing maternal health into the global consciousness.

Another central theme:

The idea that nobody should be afraid to give birth, especially in parts of the world where resources are scarce, is a guiding principle for her foundation.

Even when speaking about her dual roles:

In discussing her balance as a mother and a professional, Kebede has emphasized the importance of presence in both roles—never fully sacrificing one for the other. (Summarized from interviews)

Her life suggests more than fixed quotes: her legacy is itself a message.

Lessons from Liya Kebede’s Life

From her journey, we can draw several inspiring lessons:

• Use your platform for purpose. Talent and visibility gain meaning when directed toward social good.

• Honor roots while reaching outward. Kebede’s success abroad did not detach her from Ethiopia; rather, she built bridges back home.

• Preserve culture through innovation. Through Lemlem, she showed how traditional crafts can find place in modern fashion.

• Advocacy takes persistence. Change in health outcomes or social norms doesn’t happen overnight—but consistent effort can shift conversations.

• Balance is essential. She models how one can pursue professional ambition while staying true to family, identity, and responsibility.

Conclusion

Liya Kebede is more than a supermodel. She is a bridge-builder: between fashion and social justice, between Ethiopia and the world, between artistry and purpose. Her life challenges the narrow view of models as mere faces—she demonstrates how influence, when aligned with compassion, can spark lasting change.

To dive deeper, explore works about her foundation, read interviews in Vogue and The Huffington Post, and follow Lemlem’s evolving collections. Kebede’s journey affirms that beauty and meaning can coexist—and that each life has the potential to bloom outward in impact.