Ugbad Abdi Biography: Age, Net Worth, Height, Hijab Modeling, Ethnicity, Instagram

Ugbad Abdi is a Somali‑American fashion model of Somali heritage, acclaimed for breaking ground as one of the first hijab‑wearing models in high‑fashion runway and editorial circles.

She rose to prominence following her couture debut with Valentino and quickly became recognized for her poise, cultural authenticity, and representation within elite international fashion.

Today she is celebrated for reshaping inclusivity in modeling while maintaining faith-aligned professionalism.

Profile

• Full Name: Ugbad Abdi
• Stage Name: Ugbad Abdi
• Born: 1999–2000
• Age: 25–26 years old
• Birthplace: Kismayo, Somalia
• Nationality: Somali / American
• Occupation: Fashion Model
• Height: 1.8 m
• Parents: Unknown
• Siblings: 5
• Spouse: None
• Children: None
• Relationship: Unknown
• Net Worth: $1 million–$5 million

Early Life and Education

Ugbad Abdi was born in Kismayo, Somalia, around 1999–2000, though her exact date of birth is unknown, born into a Somali family that fled the civil war when she was a young child.

Details about her parents are unknown, and has five siblings, two born after resettling in the U.S. but their names are not publicly unknown.

At age nine, she and her family relocated to a refugee camp in Kenya before being resettled in Des Moines, Iowa, in 2009 with the assistance of UNICEF.

She completed her high school education in Des Moines, where she balanced academic focus with cultural integration and resilience. She is fluent in Somali and English. She is of Somali ethnicity and though her religion is unknown.

Career

Ugbad Abdi began her modeling career shortly after graduating from high school, when she was scouted via Instagram by Lacey Hevern of Next Models.

Within two months she had flown to New York, signed with Next Management, and prepared for her debut. Her runway entrance came in the 2019 Valentino Spring/Summer haute couture show in Paris, where she walked alongside Naomi Campbell under Pierpaolo Piccioli.

This high-profile debut earned her swift acclaim as one of the breakout faces of Fall 2019. From working as a Target cashier in Iowa to walking for Valentino in Paris, her entry into fashion symbolized both personal resilience and cultural milestones.

Following her debut, Abdi opened major runway shows including Marc Jacobs and Michael Kors at New York Fashion Week, and subsequently walked for luxury brands such as Burberry, Fendi, Lanvin, Simone Rocha, Chanel, Miu Miu, Max Mara, and Dries van Noten.

She made history as the first hijab‑wearing model to walk for Fendi and Lanvin, gaining recognition not only for her style but as a cultural pioneer.

Simultaneously, she appeared in editorials and covers across i‑D Magazine, The Sunday Times Style, Vogue Arabia, American Vogue, and Vogue Italia. Vogue named her one of Fall 2019’s breakout models, and she was included in The Business of Fashion’s prestigious BoF 500 list for her industry impact.

Currently, Ugbad continues to influence fashion through both runway and editorial work. She was featured on the cover of Vogue France in 2022 alongside Mona Tougaard and remains an advocate for Muslim and hijabi representation in modeling.

Her voice resonates in interviews with publications such as Vogue, i‑D, Harper’s Bazaar Arabia, and Cool Hunting, where she emphasizes modesty, education about hijab, and challenging beauty norms—often speaking candidly about Ramadan and identity.

Represented by both Next Management and Evolve Models, she is seen as a role model whose trajectory blends industry success with values-driven storytelling.

Social Media

Instagram Handle: @iamugbad

Personal Life

Ugbad Abdi maintains a private personal life and rarely discusses romantic relationships publicly.

Net Worth

Ugbad Abdi’s estimated net worth is ranging to be between $1 million to $5 million USD, based on modeling contracts, runway appearances, editorial campaigns, and brand partnerships.