The half-Palestinian supermodel turns 23 today.
Birthday wishes are in order for one Gigi Hadid, one of the world’s top models and a long-term Emirates Woman favourite.
The Californian star was born on April 23, 1995, to Dutch model Yolanda Hadid and real estate developer Mohamed Hadid.
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Join us for a look at her life and career. It’s safe to say she’s lived a pretty varied life in her 23 years on the planet so far.
She was discovered in 2012
Hadid’s first appearance on Models.com was just about six years ago, on May 7, 2012.
“We expect nothing less than the best from this high achiever. Signed to IMG NY, Gigi is ready to go-go,” the site enthused back then. Good call, in light of her career since.
She’s a Taurus
Whether you’re into astrology or not, it might raise a smile to learn that those born under Taurus are famed for their love of fine fashions.
It’s an Earth sign, and Hadid has spoken before about her love of nature, so we’ll call that two for two.
Her last meal at 22 was pretty low key
As we close in on midnight, I would like to share that my final meal as a 22 year old will officially be Cocoa Krispies. Thank you for your attention.
— Gigi Hadid (@GiGiHadid) April 23, 2018
Sometimes you just need a bowl of sugary cereal. Relatable.
She loves a collab
Hadid has had long-running deals with Tommy Hilfiger, Maybelline, eyewear brand Vogue, and jewellery line Messika.
And that’s between fashion weeks and cover shoots. She tends to keep busy.
She’s signed with IMG Models…
And the mega-agency’s New York office is her home base. Other big IMG names include Karlie Kloss, Amber Valetta, Joan Smalls, and Gisele.
She’s ranked among the world’s top models
Hadid comes in at number six on the Models.com list of new supers, after Adriana Lima and Cara Delevingne but before Kendall Jenner and Jourdan Dunn.
She’s lead the way for her siblings
You don’t need us to tell you that younger sister Bella is a major model in her own right, and brother Anwar is making some waves, too.
The three have appeared on the odd runway together, too.
But her mum was a role model
Yolanda Hadid had a pretty sparkling career of her own back in the day. With shots like the above, it’s not hard to see where Gigi got it from.
She’s been outspoken about body criticism
Hadid has the thyroid condition known as Hashimoto’s disease, and as she wrote on Twitter in February, it’s caused her body weight to fluctuate over the years.
“I may be ‘too skinny’ for you—honestly this skinny isn’t what I want to be—but I feel healthier internally and am still learning and growing with my body every day, as everyone is,” she said.
Hadid added that she “will not further explain the way my body looks, just as anyone with a body type that doesn’t suit your ‘beauty’ expectation shouldn’t have to.”
Well said.
She’s an excellent rider
Let’s sign off by celebrating one of Hadid’s off-the-runway talents. Above you can see footage of her competing on her horse, Trendy Lady, when she was 15.
Impressive stuff. Many happy returns, Gigi.
Images: Gigi Hadid/Instagram, Getty
