# Iman

> Somali model and actress

**Wikidata**: [Q256531](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q256531)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iman_(model))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/iman

## Summary

Iman (born July 25, 1955) is a Somali-American model and actress who rose to international prominence in the fashion industry during the 1970s and 1980s. Originally from Somalia, she became one of the first Muslim women to achieve supermodel status in the West, working for major fashion houses and appearing on magazine covers worldwide. Beyond modeling, she has pursued acting in film and television and has been recognized for her entrepreneurial ventures and humanitarian efforts.

## Biography

- **Born**: July 25, 1955
- **Nationality**: Somali (citizenship: Somalia, United States)
- **Birth Name**: Iman Mohamed Abdulmajid (also known as Iimaan Maxamed Cabdulmajiid, Zara Maxamed Cabdulmajiid, Iman Abdulmajid, Zara Mohamed Abdulmajid)
- **Education**: University of Nairobi (Kenya)
- **Known for**: International supermodel career; pioneering Muslim woman in Western fashion industry; actress
- **Employer(s)**: United States (based on available data)
- **Field(s)**: Modeling, acting (film and television), entrepreneurship

## Contributions

Based on the source material, Iman's contributions include:

- **Modeling Career**: Established as an international supermodel, working extensively in the fashion industry (specific campaigns and runway work not detailed in source material)
- **Acting Career**: Appeared as both a film actor and television actor (specific roles not detailed in source material)
- **Entrepreneurship**: Identified as an entrepreneur in the source material, indicating business ventures beyond modeling and acting
- **Public Presence**: Maintains active social media presence on Twitter (@The_Real_IMAN), Instagram (the_real_iman), and Facebook (iman)
- **Website**: Operates destinationiman.com

## FAQs

**What is Iman best known for?**
Iman is best known as a Somali supermodel who achieved international fame in the 1970s and 1980s, becoming one of the first Muslim women to become a prominent face in the Western fashion industry.

**Where was Iman born and raised?**
Iman was born in Somalia on July 25, 1955. She later attended the University of Nairobi in Kenya for her education.

**What awards has Iman received?**
Iman has been recognized on the OkayAfrica 100 Women list and received the Great Immigrants Award from the Carnegie Corporation of New York in 2006, which celebrates immigrant contributions to American life.

**What other professions has Iman pursued besides modeling?**
Beyond modeling, Iman has worked as a film actor and television actor, and she is also identified as an entrepreneur in the source material.

**What is Iman's nationality?**
Iman holds dual citizenship in Somalia (her birth country) and the United States, where she has built much of her career.

## Why They Matter

Iman matters as a pioneering figure who broke barriers in the fashion industry as one of the first Muslim women to achieve supermodel status in the West. Her success opened doors for other models of color and Muslim women in the entertainment and fashion industries. As a Somali immigrant who became an international celebrity, she represents the potential for individuals from Africa to achieve global recognition in elite industries traditionally dominated by Westerners. Her recognition by the Carnegie Corporation's Great Immigrants Award highlights her contribution to American culture and society as an immigrant success story. Additionally, her presence on the OkayAfrica 100 Women list acknowledges her continued influence as a notable African woman making an impact globally.

## Notable For

- Being one of the first Muslim women to achieve supermodel status internationally
- Holding dual citizenship in Somalia and the United States
- Receiving the Great Immigrants Award (2006) from the Carnegie Corporation of New York
- Being named one of OkayAfrica's 100 Women
- Maintaining an active public presence across multiple social media platforms
- Attending the University of Nairobi in Kenya
- Working as both a film actor and television actor
- Being recognized as an entrepreneur

## Body

### Early Life and Background

Iman was born on July 25, 1955, in Somalia under the name Iman Mohamed Abdulmajid (also spelled Iimaan Maxamed Cabdulmajiid and Zara Maxamed Cabdulmajiid). She grew up in Somalia during a period of significant political transition, as Somalia achieved independence in 1960 and established itself as a federal republic. Her birth name reflects the Somali naming convention, with her father's name (Mohamed/Maxamed) serving as her surname.

### Education

Iman pursued higher education at the University of Nairobi in Kenya, one of East Africa's most prestigious educational institutions. The university, established in 1956 (with some sources citing 1970), has produced numerous notable alumni across various fields. This educational background in Kenya positioned her for the international journey that would follow her modeling career.

### Modeling Career

Iman emerged as a supermodel during the 1970s and 1980s, a period when the fashion industry was beginning to embrace more diverse faces. As a Somali Muslim woman, she represented a significant departure from the predominantly white, Western faces that had dominated high fashion until that point. Her success paved the way for greater diversity in the modeling industry and inspired subsequent generations of models from Africa and the Muslim world.

### Acting Career

Beyond her modeling work, Iman pursued acting in both film and television. The source material identifies her specifically as a film actor and television actor, indicating work in both mediums. This career transition is common among successful models seeking to expand their artistic reach and leverage their public profiles into acting opportunities.

### Entrepreneurial Ventures

The source material identifies Iman as an entrepreneur, a classification that denotes someone who owns and operates a business. This suggests she has established business ventures beyond her modeling and acting careers. The specific nature of these ventures is not detailed in the provided source material, but entrepreneurial activity is a common path for celebrities seeking to diversify their income streams and build lasting business empires.

### Physical Attributes

The source material records Iman's height as 174.0 centimeters (approximately 5 feet 8.5 inches) and her shoe size as 52.0 (European sizing, which would be a large size indicating she stands tall even by modeling standards). These physical attributes contributed to her success in the fashion industry, where height and proportions are crucial factors.

### Public Presence and Recognition

Iman maintains an active presence on major social media platforms, including Twitter under the handle @The_Real_IMAN, Instagram as the_real_iman, and Facebook as simply "iman." She also operates a personal website at destinationiman.com, likely serving as a hub for her professional activities, public appearances, and potentially her business ventures.

Her recognition includes the Great Immigrants Award from the Carnegie Corporation of New York, which was established in 2006 specifically to celebrate immigrant contributions to American life. This award acknowledges her impact on American culture and society as a successful immigrant who has made significant contributions in her field.

Additionally, she has been recognized on the OkayAfrica 100 Women list, which annually honors notable African women making significant contributions in various fields. This recognition highlights her continued relevance and influence as a prominent African woman on the global stage.

### Citizenship and National Identity

Iman holds dual citizenship in Somalia (her birth country) and the United States (her country of residence and career base). This dual nationality reflects the experience of many immigrants who maintain connections to their homeland while building new lives in their adopted countries. Somalia, officially the Federal Republic of Somalia, is a sovereign state in East Africa that achieved independence in 1960, while the United States is described in the source material as the world's oldest surviving federation and a global superpower.

### Identifiers and Database References

Iman is catalogued in numerous international databases and knowledge systems, reflecting her public profile and the need for accurate identification across various platforms. These include her IMDb identifier (nm0408081) for her acting work, various library and authority identifiers, and multiple social media and digital presence markers. Her Wikidata description identifies her simply as "Somali model and actress," encapsulating her primary professional identities.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. The Fashion Model Directory (FMD)
3. [Source](https://www.carnegie.org/awards/great-immigrants/2006-great-immigrants/)
4. International Standard Name Identifier
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. MusicBrainz
7. IMDb
8. SNAC
9. Munzinger Personen
10. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
11. The Movie Database