Liya Kebede is an Ethiopian-born model, maternal health advocate, clothing designer, and actress.
21 Facts About Liya Kebede
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Liya Kebede has appeared on the cover of Vogue three times.
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Liya Kebede is the only daughter in the family, having four brothers.
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Liya Kebede later relocated to the US, initially to Chicago then New York City.
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In 2003, Liya Kebede was named the newest face of Estee Lauder cosmetics, the only Ethiopian to serve as their representative in the company's 57-year history.
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Liya Kebede's contract was rumoured to be worth $3 million.
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In July 2007, with Liya Kebede earning $2.5 million over the previous 12 months, Forbes named her eleventh in the list of the World's 15 Top-Earning Supermodels.
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In 2009, Liya Kebede starred in the film-adaption of the bestselling autobiography Desert Flower by former supermodel Waris Dirie.
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Liya Kebede has had minor roles in The Good Shepherd and Lord of War.
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Liya Kebede featured as a 'Face of the Moment' in May 2009's US Vogue.
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In 2011, Liya Kebede was among the models featured in Lacoste's "new look" campaign in January, with ads shot by Mert and Marcus, showing models wearing white Lacoste polo shirts worn over black eveningwear.
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Liya Kebede starred with Jake Gyllenhaal in a Calvin Klein ad.
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Liya Kebede is currently on the list of "New Supers" by models.
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Liya Kebede founded the line to help preserve the art of traditional weaving in Ethiopia, and to offer work opportunities to local artisans.
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In 2005, Liya Kebede was appointed as WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health.
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Liya Kebede then founded the Liya Kebede Foundation, whose mission is to reduce maternal, newborn and child mortality in Ethiopia and around the world.
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Liya Kebede has traveled to Ethiopia to support maternal health projects on multiple occasions.
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Liya Kebede served as a High-Level adviser for the Center for Global Development's 2009 report "Start with a Girl: A New Agenda for Global Health".
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Liya Kebede writes for The Huffington Post about maternal and child health, and has been featured in Vogue and on The Daily Beast.
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Liya Kebede is part of the Champions for an HIV-Free Generation, an organization of African leaders led by former President of Botswana Festus Mogae.
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In 2000, Liya Kebede married Ethiopian hedge fund manager Kassy Liya Kebede.