About Naomi Campbell
Naomi Elaine Campbell was born on May 22, 1970, in Streatham, South London, England, to Jamaican-born dancer Valerie Morris. Raised by her mother and grandmother in a working-class family, she never met her father, who left before her birth. Campbell attended the Barbara Speake Stage School from age three, studying ballet, and later enrolled at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts. At 15, she was scouted by Beth Boldt of Elite Model Management while window-shopping in Covent Garden, launching her modeling career. Campbell is of Afro-Jamaican descent, with Chinese Jamaican ancestry through her paternal grandmother. Her heritage is a point of pride, often highlighted in her advocacy for diversity in fashion. She is primarily known as Naomi Campbell, with no widely used aliases. Nicknamed “Black Panther” for her fierce runway presence, she has embraced the moniker in interviews.
Campbell became a supermodel in the late 1980s and 1990s, and is part of "The Big 10," a group of supermodels that dominated the 1990s, where being a celebrity and appealing on MTV was as important as appearing on a runway or on a fashion magazine. They included Elle MacPherson, Cindy Crawford (Supermodel), Linda Evangelista, Stephanie Seymour, Tatjana Patitz, Christy Turlington, Helena Christensen, Claudia Schiffer, and Kate Moss. She was the first Black model on the covers of Vogue Paris (1988) and Vogue UK (1987), breaking racial barriers. Her career includes over 500 magazine covers, such as Vogue (U.S., British, Italian), Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Essence, and i-D. She starred in campaigns for Versace, Yves Saint Laurent, Prada, and Louis Vuitton, and walked runways for Chanel, Dior, and Alexander McQueen. Notable moments include her 1990 British Vogue cover with Evangelista, Crawford, Turlington, and Tatjana Patitz, and her appearance in George Michael’s Freedom! ’90 video. She posed for Playboy in 1999 and Madonna’s Sex book in 1992. Campbell remains active, walking for Balmain in 2024 and appearing in Vogue’s September 2022 issue.
Campbell signed with Synchro Model Agency in London at 15, later joining Elite Model Management and IMG Models. She has worked with Women Management and other global agencies, maintaining long-term industry relationships. Her editorial work includes Vogue (multiple editions), Harper’s Bazaar, W, Elle, Essence, Interview, and Paper. She was a muse for designers like Gianni Versace and photographers like Herb Ritts and Steven Meisel. Her work was featured in the 2009 Metropolitan Museum of Art’s The Model as Muse exhibition.
Campbell has a robust social media presence, with over 16 million Instagram followers (@naomi). She shares runway clips, campaign images, and advocacy for diversity and philanthropy, using her platform to influence fashion and social issues.
At 5’10” with dark brown hair and eyes, Campbell’s measurements are approximately 34"-24"-34", with a 34B bra size. Known for her statuesque figure, long legs, and commanding presence, she has not confirmed cosmetic surgeries. No tattoos are documented, though she has worn temporary body art for shoots. She has ear piercings.
Campbell’s appeal lies in her fierce confidence and trailblazing presence. Fans and designers, like Donatella Versace, praise her as a “force of nature” for her runway dominance and charisma. Her long legs, radiant skin, and bold attitude are often highlighted, with her pioneering role as a Black supermodel making her iconic.
Her net worth is estimated at $80 million, earned through modeling, endorsements (Chanel, Burberry, Nars), her Naomi fragrance line, and media ventures. She was among the highest-paid models in the 1990s, commanding top fees for runways and campaigns.
Campbell faced controversies, including assault allegations in the 2000s, such as a 2007 guilty plea for throwing a phone at her housekeeper, resulting in community service. She was linked to the 2010 “blood diamond” scandal involving Charles Taylor, testifying at The Hague. Her temper has been scrutinized, but she has addressed personal growth in interviews. In 2023, she settled a lawsuit against Elite Model Management for unpaid fees.
Her acting roles include Cool as Ice (1991), The Night We Never Met (1993), Girl 6 (1996), and Fat Slags (2004). She appeared in TV shows like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990), New York Undercover (1995), Empire (2015–2016), and Star (2017–2018). Campbell starred in music videos, including Michael Jackson’s In the Closet (1992), Jay-Z’s Change Clothes (2003), and Bob Marley’s Is This Love (2016 remix). She featured in The Super Models (2023) docuseries and competed on The Face (2013–2014) as a coach. Campbell appeared on The Cosby Show (1990), Absolutely Fabulous (1995), Ugly Betty (2008), and Making the Cut (2020–2021) as a judge. She has been a guest on Oprah Winfrey, The Tyra Banks Show, and The Graham Norton Show, discussing her career and advocacy.
Campbell dated high-profile figures like Mike Tyson, Robert De Niro, and Flavio Briatore. She was engaged to U2’s Adam Clayton (1993–1994) and dated Vladimir Doronin (2008–2013). In 2021, she welcomed a daughter via surrogacy, and in 2023, a son, keeping their names private. She raises her children in London and New York, maintaining privacy about her family.
Campbell’s legacy as a supermodel lies in breaking racial barriers and redefining inclusivity in fashion. Her advocacy for Black models, through initiatives like the Black Girls Coalition, influenced designers and casting. She supports charities like Fashion for Relief, founded in 2005, raising millions for disaster relief, and works with UNICEF and amfAR. Her influence endures in models like Adut Akech and Anok Yai.
As of 2025, Campbell remains active in fashion, walking runways for brands like Chanel and appearing in campaigns for Balmain and Hugo Boss. She curates exhibitions like Naomi: In Fashion at the V&A Museum (2024) and advocates for diversity through her platform. She focuses on raising her children and expanding her philanthropy, maintaining her status as a fashion icon.
