Waris Dirie Model Biography, Facts, Young Bond, And More
by Ushapriyanga
Updated Feb 08, 2023
Waris Dirie
Waris Dirie, born in 1965, is a renowned human rights activist and model known for her work against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). She served as a UN special ambassador against FGM from 1997 to 2003 and later founded the Desert Flower Foundation in Vienna in 2002. Waris, whose name means "desert flower," was born into a nomadic family in Galkayo as one of twelve siblings. At the young age of five, she underwent FGM and later escaped an arranged marriage to a 60-year-old man by fleeing through the desert to Mogadishu when she was thirteen. Despite facing challenges, she sought refuge with relatives in Mogadishu.
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Waris Dirie Model
Dirie was one of twelve children in a large nomadic family living close to the Ethiopia-Somalia border. She spent most of her childhood taking care of her family's herd and finding food and water to survive. At the age of 13, she fled from home to escape an arranged marriage to an older man, embarking on a dangerous journey through the desert to Mogadishu and eventually to London. In London, she worked as a maid for her uncle who was serving as an ambassador, and chose to stay in the city after his term ended, even though she was living there illegally. Despite being illiterate, she found work at a fast-food restaurant kitchen and a room at a YMCA facility, where she learned to read and write in English through classes.
In 1983, at the age of 18, Dirie was approached by a woman on the street about modeling and was introduced to British photographer Terence Donovan. Donovan's photographs of Dirie kickstarted her modeling career. In 1987, she appeared on the cover of the prestigious Pirelli Calendar and starred in the James Bond film "The Living Daylights." She modeled on the runways in Paris, Milan, and New York, in advertisements for high-end beauty brands like Revlon and Chanel, and in leading fashion magazines like Elle, Glamour, and Vogue. Her successful modeling journey was documented in the 1995 BBC documentary "A Nomad in New York."
Waris Dirie Biography
The organization faced challenges in its early days and had only 1,035 members by the end of its second year, struggling with internal ideological differences. When the group attempted to draft a Bill of Rights for Women, they were able to agree on six key measures crucial for promoting gender equality, including enforcement of laws against employment discrimination, maternity leave rights, child care facilities for working mothers, tax deductions for child care expenses, equal and integrated education, and equal job training opportunities for low-income women.
Specifications
Details
Name
Waris Dirie
Net Worth
$18 Million
Date Of Birth
21 October 1965
Age
57
Place Of Birth
Somalia
Occupation
Model, social activists, author, actress, UN Special Ambassador
Profession
Actress, Writer, Producer
Work Position
Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur
Waris Dirie Young Bond
Many people are aware that when Waris Derry was young, she underwent Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), a damaging cultural tradition that involves partial or complete removal of a female's external genitalia without medical justification. At the age of 13, she fled from a planned marriage and went to London, where she worked as a maid. She was later discovered by a photographer and started her modeling career, which took her to fashion centers globally. Despite facing difficulties, Dirie became a successful model and utilized her fame to increase understanding of the issue of FGM and promote the rights of women and girls.
Many admire Waris Dirie and refer to her as the "Waris Dirie Bond Girl" due to her role in the James Bond film. Throughout her career, Dirie has utilized her popularity to raise awareness about Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and champion the rights of women and girls. She served as a UN special ambassador for the elimination of FGM and has authored several books, including her best-selling autobiography "Desert Flower," which chronicles her life and her journey as a leading voice against FGM. Aside from her modeling and activism, Dirie has also acted in films including "The Living Daylights," in which she portrayed a Bond girl.
Waris Dirie Mode l - FAQs
Waris Dirie is a Somali model, author, actress, and human rights activist known for her advocacy against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
Waris Dirie played a Bond girl in the film "The Living Daylights."
Waris Dirie's most famous book is her bestselling memoir "Desert Flower," which details her life story and her journey as a leading voice against FGM.
Waris Dirie served as a UN special ambassador for the elimination of FGM and continues to raise awareness about the issue through her writing and activism.
Waris Dirie founded the Desert Flower Foundation in 2002, which works to end the practice of Female Genital Mutilation.