10 Most Famous And Successful African Models- How Much Are They Worth?

At present, African models such as Nyadak Thot, Agbani Darego, Nyakim Gatwech, Iman, Alek Wek and many others have broken through many walls to become successful in the highly competitive world of modelling. Many of these models will have their heights, looks, talents, hard work, and even skin to be thankful for.

To many of these models, their success stories may be totally different, but it cannot be overlooked that they have risen beyond any reasonable doubt to become top in their careers – which makes them equal in diverse ways. Although there are many successful African models, only a few will be discussed here.

10 Most Successful African Models And Their Net Worth

1. Alek Wek

Born on April 16, 1977, in South Sudan, Alek began her modelling career at the age of 18 after relocating to Britain in 1991 when she was 14.

Wek in her career as a professional model has featured in music videos as ‘GoldenEye’ by Tina Turner and ‘Got ‘Til It’s Gone’ by Janet Jackson. She has also appeared on the cover of Glamour, Forbes Magazine Africa and Ebony among others. She has also walked for Marc Jacobs among other designers.

With a height of 5 feet 11 inches, Alek soon became one of the most notable models from Africa. She was listed as one among BBC’s 100 women in 2015. Also, she became MTV’s model of the year in 1997, and the first African model to appear on the cover of Elle.

Adding to her achievements in the fashion industry, she started her designer handbags called Wek 1933 – her father’s name and the year he was born.

In acting, Wek featured in ‘The Four Feather’ (2002), and ‘Suspiria’ (2018).

For Wek, her dark skin has contributed to making her famous and celebrated especially among black women including Lupita Nyongo, and Oprah Winfrey. She has claimed wealth that amounts to an estimated net worth of $20 million as cited by Celebrity Net Worth.

2. Iman

Iman Abdulmajid is a Somali-American model, entrepreneur, and actress who has worked with top designers like Gianni Versace, Yves Saint Laurent, Calvin Klein, and Halston among others. She is currently signed to TESS Management in London.

Amidst her modelling career, she started her own cosmetic line ‘Iman Cosmetics’ which is worth $100 million. She is also involved in clothing and philanthropy among others.

3. Flaviana Matata

Flaviana Matata is a Tanzanian model, humanitarian and entrepreneur who was born on June 9, 1987.

When she was noticed by Rusell Simmons, he helped her to be interviewed by several modelling agencies. Currently, she works with The Lions NY, Next Europe (UK, Paris and Milan), Wilhelmina Models US and Boss Models South Africa. She has also walked for many brands that include Mustafa Hassanali, Vivienne Westwood, Louise Gray, Holly Fulton, and Todd Lynn. She also featured in Alexander McQueen film tribute and many magazines such as Marie Claire, French Revue De Modes, The Vision, and Elle Magazine.

In her professional career, she has earned many titles such as one of the 7 highest income earners in 2013 (Forbes Africa) and has also been named among the top 10 Black Models in Essence Magazine. She became Model of The Year in 2011, Outstanding Female Model Of The Year by Nigeria Next Super Model Awards (2012), Africa Diaspora Awards listed her as Face of Africa in 2012 and in 2018, she became Global Women Gala’s Most Inspirational Woman.

Although it is not known exactly how much her net worth is, she may be worth over $1 million.

4. Fatima Siad

A Somalian born and American raised model Fatima Siad stands at 5 feet 11 inches tall. She contested at America’s Next Top Model, cycle 10 where she rounded as 3rd.

Although she suffered self-esteem while growing up, she rose to become a top African model who has featured on covers of magazines such ad Colures, Page Style, Spanish Vogue, Elle, Cosmogirl, and Ebony among others. At present, she is signed with New York Model Management and Munish Models. As she expands her modelling career, she also has an estimated net worth of $16 million as reported by TheRichest.

5. Maria Borges

The 1992 Angolan born model has been active in modelling since 2010. In 2013, she was named top model by Africa Forbes Magazine. As part of her professional career, Borges has walked more than 20 runways for different designers including Custo Barcelona, Giorgio Armani, Tom Ford, Versace, Wes Gordon, and Victoria’s Secret among others.

She has established herself quite well and lives a life of luxury. Although it is difficult to state exactly how much she earns through her professional modelling career, she has a net worth that is above $1 million.

6. Agbani Darego

She is a Nigerian model, entrepreneur, beauty queen, the first Nigerian to reach the top 10 finalists of Miss Universe, and the first indigenous African to become Miss World (2001).

Darego would move to meet many modelling openings since she became popular as a beauty queen. This led to her becoming the second Black model after Vanessa Williams to have a contract with L’Oreal.

For brands as Target, Christian Dior, Avon, and Sephora, Agbani expanded her modelling career and has also been further featured in Elle, Marie Claire, Trace, Cosmopolitan, and Essence magazines.

As a model, through her reality show Stylogenic, and her clothing line, Agbani has a net worth that has been estimated at $3.7 million.

7. Liya Kebede

Born in Ethiopia in 1978, Kebede broke into modelling in 2000. She is also an actress and a maternal health advocate.

She has been on the cover of vogue at three different times and has featured in ad campaigns that include brands as Victoria’s Secret, Yves Saint Laurent, Dolce & Gabbana, Loius Vuitton, Tommy Hilfiger, and Escada.

She remains one of the African models to be listed by Forbes as top earners. Through different means that include her acting career, she has a net worth that amounts to $18 million.

8. Nyadak Thot

She is of South Sudanese origin but was born in 1995 in Australia after her parents fled her home country.

With darker skin, Nyadak who is also known as Duckie found it hard to find her footing in Melbourne, Australia. Upon that, she relocated to New York which saw her becoming a huge success in the modelling industry.

In her modelling career which debuted in 2013, she has campaigned for brands including Oscar de la Renta, Fenty Beauty, Fenty x Puma, Moschino, Balmain and Victoria’s Secret. In her career as a professional model, she has amassed wealth that has resulted in a huge sum.

The 5 feet 10 inches tall model’s net worth has been reported different but it is said to be within the range of $500 thousand to $5 million.

9. Ajak Deng

Ajak Deng is a South Sudanese-Australian model who stands at 5 feet 11 inches tall who is worth over $1 million.

As a model, she has worked on different platforms including fashion shows, and adverts. Her job has taken her to work for top brands like Loius Vuitton, Calvin Klein, and Valentino among others.

10. Malaika Firth

Malaika is a Kenyan-born British model who in 2013 became the first black model to appear in a Prada advertising campaign in almost 20 years. She has worked in more than 40 shows including Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.

It cannot be denied that one of the African models earns a good fortune from her career, Malaika’s exact net worth is under review as at this writing.