Liya Kebede has an estimated net worth of $18 million dollars
Liya Kebede is an Ethiopian model and fashion designer with an estimated net worth of $18 million dollars. She is 5’10″ and weighs 110 pounds. Liya Kebede was born March 1, 1978 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. While attending school at Lycee Guebre Mariam, Liya was spotted by a French film director. He urged her to pursue modeling. After finishing school, Liya moved to Paris, France where she signed a modeling contract with an agent that was introduced to her by the film director. Upon moving to Paris, Liya learned that the modeling industry was very different from the industry in Ethiopia. In her home country, Liya had to provide her own shoes to walk down the runway.
Kebede’s career did not begin to blossom until Tom Ford asked her to sign an exclusive contract for his 2000 Fall/Winter Gucci fashion show. Two years later she appeared on the cover of Paris Vogue. The entire May 2002 edition of Vogue was dedicated to Liya . In 2003 Models.com ranked her the number one model, and this same year she became the face of Estee Lauder.
In 2008, Liya founded her clothing line Lemem. Lemlem means “to bloom” in Amharic. The purpose of her fashion line is to give working opportunities to local Ethiopian artisans and to help keep the Ethiopian tradition of weaving. The clothing line features hand-spun and woven women’s and children’s clothing. Lemlem pieces can be purchased at Barney’s, J.Crew, Net-a-Porter, and various boutiques across the globe.
In 2009 Kebede starred in former supermodel Waris Dirie’s film adaption of her best-selling autobiography Desert Flower. The film covered Dirie’s childhood in Somalia and her stance against female circumcision in Somalia. The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival and received a standing ovation.
Liya Kebede has enough net worth to buy:
1. 60,000 The Legend of Zelda:The Wind Walker Wii Deluxe Sets ($300 each)
2. 900,000 Women’s Merona Melanie Pumps ($20/pair)
3. 360,000 Bright Starts Pretty In Pink Portable Swings ($50 each)
Liya Kebede has enough net worth to give everyone in Burkina Faso $1
