Personal Details :
- Full Name: Adut Akech Bior
- Date of Birth: December 25, 1999 (Christmas Day)
- Place of Birth: South Sudan–Kenya border, en route to Kakuma refugee camp
- Nationality: South Sudanese and Australian
- Current Residence: Primarily based in New York and Paris
- Height: 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
- Hair Color: Black
- Eye Color: Brown
- Languages: English, Dinka
- Religion: Christian (reported)
- Family: Grew up with her mother and five siblings
- Migration History: Moved from Kakuma refugee camp to Adelaide, Australia at age 7
- Early Nickname: Called “Mary” in school to ease pronunciation in Australia
- Profession: High-fashion model and humanitarian
- Modeling Start: Discovered as a teenager; signed with Chadwick Models at age 16
- Known For: Being one of the few Black South Sudanese supermodels; Saint Laurent exclusive debut
Social Media Presence :
- Instagram: @adutakech
- Twitter: @adutakech
- YouTube: No official personal channel
- TikTok: No official account
Career Overview :
- Early Discovery: Adut was discovered by a local modeling agency in Adelaide, Australia, at the age of 16 and signed with Chadwick Models.
- International Breakthrough: She made her international debut as an exclusive for Saint Laurent’s Spring/Summer 2017 show in Paris — a major milestone that launched her high-fashion career.
- Runway Success: Since her debut, she has walked for leading fashion houses including Chanel, Valentino, Dior, Givenchy, Prada, Versace, Alexander McQueen, and Fendi.
- Campaigns: Adut has starred in global campaigns for prestigious brands like Valentino, Moschino, Zara, Versace, Fendi, Estée Lauder, and Saint Laurent.
- Magazine Covers: She has graced the covers of major magazines such as Vogue (US, UK, France, Italy), i-D, The Wall Street Journal Magazine, and more.
- Recognition: Named “Model of the Year” at the 2019 British Fashion Awards. She also won Models.com’s Industry Vote Model of the Year in 2018 and 2019.
- Estée Lauder Ambassador: In 2021, she was named a Global Brand Ambassador for Estée Lauder, representing their skincare and makeup lines worldwide.
- Humanitarian Work: Adut works with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to advocate for refugee rights, drawing from her own experience growing up in a refugee camp.
- Documentary & Editorial Features: Featured in Pirelli Calendars (2018 & 2023) and numerous fashion documentaries exploring race, beauty, and representation in modeling.
- Style Icon: Known for her powerful runway presence, deep commitment to identity, and bold, elegant fashion sense that celebrates African beauty and resilience.
Personal Life & Interests :
Adut Akech was born on December 25, 1999, in South Sudan and spent her early years in the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya before relocating to Adelaide, Australia, with her mother and siblings at the age of seven. Growing up in a multicultural environment, she has always embraced her South Sudanese roots while adapting to life in Australia.
Outside of modeling, Adut is passionate about advocating for refugees and displaced people. She works closely with the UNHCR and regularly speaks out on issues related to identity, racism, and mental health. She is vocal about the importance of representation and diversity in fashion.
In her free time, Adut enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, and exploring new fashion trends. She is known to be private about her romantic life but very open about her journey, struggles, and personal growth. Her confidence, resilience, and authenticity have made her a role model for young women globally.
Net Worth :
As of 2025, Adut Akech’s estimated net worth is reported at approximately $11.3 million USD .
Other sources suggest a range between $3–10 million USD, reflecting her rising career in modeling, major campaign deals, and ambassador roles .
Given her high-fashion runway appearances, global campaigns, magazine covers, and her role as Global Brand Ambassador for Estée Lauder, a realistic estimate would be in the range of $5–12 million USD.
Awards & Achievements :
In 2018 and again in 2019, Adut Akech was honored with Models.com’s “Model of the Year” award—a testament to her profound impact on the fashion industry .
On December 2, 2019, she received the prestigious “Model of the Year” title at the British Fashion Awards held at London’s Royal Albert Hall, delivering an emotional speech that underscored her refugee background and the importance of representation .
She has been widely recognized as one of the fashion industry’s “New Supers” by Models.com and was featured on TIME’s “100 Next” list in 2019, spotlighting her as one of the most promising emerging talents .
Additionally, Adut has made history in runway fashion, becoming the second Black model ever to close a Chanel couture show and earning multiple Vogue September issue covers—the most in a single season being five in 2019 .
She is also a two-time TIME “Rising Star” (2018, 2019) and has been recognized by the British Fashion Council and BoF 500 for her influence and trailblazing presence on international runways .
Fun Facts :
Adut Akech was born on Christmas Day, which she says makes her birthday feel extra special and festive every year.
She spent her early childhood in the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya before moving to Australia at age 7 — a journey that shaped her strong sense of identity and resilience.
She was called “Mary” during her school years in Australia because teachers found her South Sudanese name hard to pronounce — a practice she now openly speaks against as part of embracing her roots.
Adut was discovered in a local fashion show organized by her aunt and booked her first international gig with Saint Laurent as an exclusive model at just 17 years old.
She considers Naomi Campbell both a mentor and a maternal figure in the fashion industry, often citing her as an inspiration.
Adut made headlines when a major magazine published the wrong photo of a different Black model in her place — she used the incident to speak out about racial insensitivity in media.
She enjoys minimalist skincare, often using natural products like olive oil, and prefers a makeup-free look when not working.
Despite her global fame, Adut remains grounded and very close to her family, frequently referencing her mother as her biggest hero.