Liya Kebede

Liya Kebede (; born 1 March 1978) is an Ethiopian-born model, maternal health advocate, clothing designer, and actress. She has appeared on the cover of Vogue three times. Kebede has served as the WHO's Ambassador for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health since 2005. Early life and education Kebede was born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She is ethnic Amhara. She is the only daughter in the family, having four brothers. A film director spotted her while she was attending Lycée Guebre-Mariam, the school in which she learned fluent French, and introduced her to a French modeling agent. After completing her studies, she moved to France to pursue work through a Parisian agency. Kebede later relocated to the US, initially to Chicago then New York City. Modeling career