Liya Kebede

Born: January 3, 1978 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Career facts: Kebede's big break came when Tom Ford offered her an exclusive contract for his Gucci fall/winter 2000 show. Kebede was a finalist in the Miss World supermodel contest. She was on the cover of the May 2002 edition of Paris 'Vogue' which dedicated the issue to her. Has appeared on the cover of American 'Vogue'.

Quote: "How many of us realize that, in much of the world, the act of  giving birth to a child is still the biggest killer of women of child-bearing age?" said Kebede in a speech honoring the United Nations.