Net Worth Ranker
What Is Iman’s Net Worth
Iman Abdulmajid Jones, known mononymously as Iman, boasts a substantial net worth of $200 million. This impressive figure reflects her multifaceted career as a Somalian-American retired fashion model, actress, and entrepreneur.
The Financial Impact of David Bowie’s Estate on Iman’s Net Worth
Upon the death of her husband, David Bowie, whose net worth was estimated at $230 million, Iman inherited a significant portion of his estate. According to reports, Iman received their expansive dual-penthouse apartment in SoHo, New York City, in addition to half of the remainder of his assets. While the exact address of the SoHo penthouse isn’t publicly available, properties in that area are known for their high value.
Bowie’s will allocated 25% of his estate to his son, Duncan Jones, and another 25% to a trust for his underage daughter, Alexandria Zahra Jones, along with a mountain retreat in New York State. Details regarding the exact location and value of the mountain retreat are not publicly disclosed. Bowie’s longtime personal assistant, Corinne Schwab (also known as Coco), received $2 million plus Bowie’s former holdings in Opossum Inc. Details regarding the financials of Opossum Inc. are not accessible. Even Bowie’s childhood nanny, Marion Skene, received $1 million. Details on where these monies were held or invested are not known publicly.
In January 2022, David Bowie’s estate sold the rights to his publishing catalog for $250 million. Iman’s pre-tax stake resulted in an approximate $125 million windfall, significantly contributing to her net worth. Specific details of the catalog sale (eg. buyer, specific terms) have not been publicly released.
Iman’s Early Life, Career Beginnings, and Impact on Her Net Worth
Born Zara Mohamed Abdulmajid on July 25, 1955, in Mogadishu, Somalia, Iman’s early life involved frequent moves. She spent much of her childhood at a boarding school in Egypt from age four and later lived in Kenya. She briefly attended the University of Nairobi, studying political science. The precise name and location of the boarding school in Egypt are not available publicly. Iman’s university academic stint was cut short when she was discovered by American photographer Peter Beard. While details of their initial agreement are not available, this encounter led to her immigration to the United States and the start of her modeling career.
Iman’s career began with a Vogue assignment in 1976. While the financial specifics of her early modeling contracts aren’t public knowledge, her rise to prominence led to appearances on numerous prestigious magazine covers and collaborations with top designers, greatly enhancing her net worth over time. She worked with photographers like Irving Penn, Annie Leibovitz, and Helmut Newton. Details of specific payments she received are not available for public consumption.
Iman’s Entrepreneurial Ventures and Their Contribution to Her Net Worth
After nearly two decades of modeling, Iman launched her eponymous cosmetics company, Iman Cosmetics, in 1994. This $25 million-a-year brand focuses on shades that are hard to find for non-Caucasian women. Iman Cosmetics is based on Iman’s own self-mixed makeup formulations. The precise details of Iman’s initial investment in the brand are not publicly disclosed. In 2012, Somali designers Ayaan and Idyl Mohallim were signed as brand ambassadors. The specific financials of this ambassador deal are not publicly known.
In 2007, the CEO of the Home Shopping Network (HSN) approached Iman and encouraged her to create her own clothing line. Iman’s first collection, Global Chic, featured one-size-fits-all embroidered caftans inspired by her modeling career and her childhood in Egypt. The exact financials of the initial partnership and yearly sales generated by Global Chic are not available to the public. However, the collection has since evolved into a line of affordable accessories and is among the bestselling fashion and jewelry brands on HSN, contributing significantly to her net worth.
Iman’s Acting Career and its impact on her Net Worth
Iman made her film acting debut in Otto Preminger’s 1979 British thriller “The Human Factor.” The specific financial details of this role are unavailable. In the 1980s, she had parts in films such as “Out of Africa,” “No Way Out,” and the Michael Caine comedy “Surrender.” Upon coming to Hollywood in 1991, Iman was cast as a shapeshifting alien in “Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country,” and appeared alongside her then-fiancé David Bowie in the crime comedy “The Linguini Incident.” Other film appearances that year included roles in “Lies of the Twins,” “L.A. Story,” and “House Party 2.” The fees Iman collected for her film appearances during this period are not publicly accessible. On TV in the 1980s, Iman was featured in two episodes of “Miami Vice,” and had a guest role on “The Cosby Show.” Later, in the 2000s, she hosted Bravo’s “Project Runway Canada” for two years. In 2010, she hosted the second season of “The Fashion Show” alongside her colleague Isaac Mizrahi. The specific contractual details for “Project Runway Canada” and “The Fashion Show” are not publicly available, but they contributed to her overall income.
Iman’s Personal Life and Philanthropic Pursuits: Non-Financial Aspects
At eighteen, Iman married Hassan, a Hilton hotelier executive and Somali entrepreneur. They divorced two years later when Iman moved to the United States. In 1977, Iman dated actor Warren Beatty, and later that same year, she became engaged to basketball player Spencer Haywood. The two got married and had a daughter, Zulekha, in 1978, before divorcing in 1987. Details of any financial settlements are not publicly available. In 1992, Iman wed David Bowie at a private ceremony in Switzerland. The couple had a daughter, Alexandria, who was born in 2000. Iman also is the stepmother of Duncan Jones, Bowie’s son from a prior marriage. She primarily resides in London and New York City, but specific addresses are not made publicly available to protect her privacy.
Since 2019, she has been the first-ever Global Advocate for CARE, an international humanitarian relief agency. Iman also works with the Children’s Defense Fund, the Keep a Child Alive program, and Save the Children, for which she advocates in the greater region of East Africa. Further, she is involved with the Enough Project, a nonprofit that strives to end crimes against humanity. Iman played a critical role in the campaign against blood diamonds. This cause led to her terminating her contract with diamond conglomerate De Beers Group. Any specific details pertaining to Iman’s prior contract with De Beers are not available for public consumption.
Honors, Accolades, and the Impact on Iman’s Reputation
Among her many laurels, Iman was bestowed with a “Fashion Icon” lifetime achievement award in 2010 by the Council of Fashion Designers of America. Iman accepted the prize from her friend Isabella Rossellini while wearing a gown designed by Giambattista Valli. In recognition of her humanitarian work, Iman was honored at New York’s 2019 Golden Heart Awards, winning the Michael Kors Award for Outstanding Community Service. These accolades, while not directly impacting her net worth, enhance her public image and influence, which can indirectly translate to further business opportunities.
