logo
Getty images
Getty images

Quick Facts about Iman's Life – from Being Somalia's First Supermodel to Being David Bowie's Wife

Comfort Omovre
Jul 19, 2020
05:30 P.M.

Iman Abdulmajid is regarded as one of the top supermodels of her time. Over the years, Iman has indeed lived up to her reputation. Here are a few things to note about the 64-year-old model.

Advertisement

Born Zara Mohamed Abdulmajid, Iman is the founder and CEO of "Iman Cosmetics," a global beauty company targeted at creating a wider range of products for black women worldwide.

Long before she started her company, Iman already made a name as one of the world's top supermodels. With an impressive achievement as Somalia's first supermodel, here are quick facts to know about Iman.

David Bowie and Iman at the Serpentine Gallery Summer Party In London. | Photo: Getty Images

David Bowie and Iman at the Serpentine Gallery Summer Party In London. | Photo: Getty Images

Advertisement

IMAN HAS STRONG ROOTS WITH THE ARABIANS

Although Iman was born in Somalia, she has strong links to the Arab community. Due to her home country's political instability, Iman lived in both Saudi Arabia and Egypt during her youth.

It was during her time in Egypt that Iman discovered Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum and actress Faten Hamama who influenced her modeling career.

From Kulthum, Iman learned how to carry herself with grace and dignity without doing so much. This would later become useful in her career as a runway model.

Advertisement

PETER BEARD DISCOVERED HER

Photographer Peter Beard first discovered Iman during her first year in Kenya. Beard had approached the young Iman and asked to photograph her.

In response, Iman agreed to allow Beard to photograph her if he could pay off her college tuition. Since these early modeling days, Iman has posed for some iconic photographers, including Richard Avedon and Irving Penn.

Advertisement

IMAN ONCE PRETENDED TO BE MUTE

During her early modeling days in the United States, Iman pretended she could not speak or understand English.

This was done in a bid to help Iman find out what people really thought of her. According to the supermodel, these early experiences helped her learn more about Americans and the United States in general.

Advertisement

IMAN HIDES HER NUDE PHOTOGRAPHS

Iman was raised in a conservative Islamic family, and due to this, she hid a part of her career away from her parents.

Whenever her parents came visiting, Iman would hide her nude photos which were shot by Richard Avedon. According to her, she was never able to reconcile posing naked with her religion and family.

Advertisement

IMAN MIGHT NEVER GET MARRIED AGAIN

In 2016, Iman's husband of 24 years, David Bowie died from liver cancer. While remembering Bowie's memory three years after his passing, Iman reportedly revealed that she had no plans to remarry.

Throughout Iman's marriage to Bowie, the couple shared an incredible love story, which they somehow managed to keep away from the media spotlight.

With Iman and Bowie, love indeed knows no bounds, and not even death can get in the way of their love.

Advertisement
info
Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories!
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy
Advertisement
Related posts

Lynda Carter Does Not Know Who She Is & Cries 3 Times a Day after Death of Husband of 37 Years

April 02, 2022

Who Has A$AP Rocky Dated? Inside the Rapper's Romantic History before Meeting Rihanna

May 20, 2022

Who Is Gilbert Trejo? Meet Danny Trejo’s Son Who Is a Promising Film Director

May 16, 2022

Who Won 'The Masked Singer' Season 7? The Show Reveals Identities of Firefly, Ringmaster, and Prince

May 19, 2022

Danielle Brooks Became a Wife This Year — Inside the 'Peacemaker' Star & Dennis Gelin's Love Story

February 11, 2022

Harry Styles: All the Singer Has Ever Said about His Sexuality and Gender Expression

May 20, 2022

Jason Statham Found His 20-Years-Younger Fiancée at 42 - They Prove That ‘Age Is Nothing’ Being Parents of 2

February 20, 2022

Camilla Alves McConaughey & Husband Longed to Be Parents from a Young Age — Their Kids Have Hearts 'Full of Kindness'

March 22, 2022

18-Year-Old Dancer Cuts Parents Out of Her $3M Prize After They Urge Her to Get Rid of Her Baby — Story of the Day

February 08, 2022

Mariska Hargitay & Her Husband Are Happily Married for 18 Years after He Made Her Cry on Their First Date

January 31, 2022

Late Anna Nicole Smith Stays Her Ex’s Only Love in 15 Years Yet Their Daughter Tries to Convince Him to Date

February 11, 2022

Demi Moore Felt 'Betrayed' by Mom's Lie about Biological Dad Yet Later Forgave Her & Became Her Caregiver

May 17, 2022

Bruce Willis Still Loved Demi Moore after Marrying Wife of 12 Years Who Became a Close Friend of the Actress

February 02, 2022

Richard Gere Promised 3rd Wife 'At Least 20 Good Years' Together When He Married Her at 68

May 11, 2022