Florence Ibiyemi 'Yemi' Fawaz (January 8, 1955 - February 20, 2019) was a Nigerian fashion model,[1] best known as the first Nigerian international supermodel with a career spanning over a decade. One of the pioneers of professional modelling in Nigeria, Fawaz was also a fashion designer, beauty promoter/consultant, actress, trade show organiser, chef, restaurateur, and deacon.[2]
Florence Ibiyemi 'Yemi' Fawaz | |
|---|---|
| Born | 8 January 1955 |
| Died | 20 February 2019 (aged 64) |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Occupation | Fashion model |
| Years active | 1978-1990 |
Early life and education
editFawaz was born to a Lebanese father and a Yoruba Nigerian mother, and raised by her grandmother.[3] In 1983, she competed in Miss Universe Nigeria 1984 and placed third.[4] She left Nigeria for US in 1997.[3][5] She came back to Nigeria in 2016 at 61[6] to continue modelling and to coordinate fashion shows.[2][7]
Career
editFawaz is considered the first Nigerian supermodel.[8][7] At a point in her life, she became an ardent Christian and was ordained a Deaconess in her church.[9] She then was addressed as Deaconess Yemi Fawaz.
Achievements
editFawaz opened the first modeling school and professional modeling agency in Nigeria and in West Africa.[2] She initiated and established a non-governmental organization (NGO) with the name Banner of Love which has the goals of providing medicare as well as eradicate poverty among the underprivileged.[citation needed]
Death
editFawaz died at the New York Lenox Hill Hospital in United States of America after battling for colon cancer for years. She was 64 years old.[8]
References
edit- ^ "On Yemi Fawaz: I tell you assuredly, God can change anybody". thenationonlineng.net. 23 March 2019.
- ^ a b c "Yemi Fawaz, Nigeria's first supermodel dies at 64". Face2Face Africa. 22 February 2019. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
- ^ a b Augoye, Jayne (22 February 2019). "Nigeria's First Supermodel Yemi Fawaz Dies At 64". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
- ^ Yemi Fawaz: Why I Never Married
- ^ "Nigeria's first supermodel, Yemi Fawaz, dies at 64". 21 February 2019. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
- ^ ""At Age 61 I Can't Marry A Poor Man And I'm Not A Gold Digger" – Yemi Fawaz". Woman.NG. 16 May 2016. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
- ^ a b "PAINFUL: Inside last Moment of NIGERIA'S FIRST Super Model, YEMI FAWAZ in America..." nigeriastandardnewspaper.com. 19 February 2019. Archived from the original on 7 March 2022. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
- ^ a b "Yemi Fawaz Dies Of Health Complications At 64". The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News. 21 February 2019. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
- ^ "YEMI FAWAZ: AT 61, I WON'T MARRY A POOR MAN". The Sun Nigeria. 15 May 2016. Retrieved 10 November 2020.