Waris Dirie

Somalian-born Waris Dirie is a former model who has worked against Female Genital Mutilation as an author and activist.

Fast Facts

1. Born: 1965 (aproximately)
2. Birthplace: Somalia
3. Resides: Vienna, Austria
4. Her son Aleeke was born in 1997
5. Has been awarded the French Legion of Honor
6. Appointed UN Special Ambassador for the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation.

Writings

Dirie, who was raised in a nomadic Somali tribe, has written of her mutilation at age five, flight from home at 13, and her work against female genital mutilation for the UN. The story is detailed in three consecutive autobiographical volumes, Desert Flower, Desert Dawn and Desert Children. Her upcoming fourth book, A Letter to My Mother, reportedly deals with her experiences in modeling.

Brief Disappearance

In an officially unexplained incident, Dirie went missing in Brussels, Belgium, from March 5 through March 7, 2008. She reportedly offered conflicting accounts to police, before maintaining that she had been kidnapped.

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