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5 Shocking Facts About Young Yolanda Hadid’s Life Before Fame And Fortune

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Yolanda Hadid, the Dutch-born former model and reality television star, is now globally recognized as the fiercely protective mother of supermodels Gigi, Bella, and Anwar Hadid. However, before the lavish mansions of Beverly Hills and the endless stream of red-carpet events, Yolanda lived a surprisingly humble and challenging life in the Netherlands. As of December 23, 2025, the fascination with her early years continues to grow, revealing a journey of resilience and determination that shaped the woman she is today.

The story of young Yolanda—born Yolanda van den Herik—is a powerful testament to self-made success, starting from a small farm and launching into a nearly two-decade-long international modeling career. Her early experiences instilled a work ethic that would later guide her own children's rise to international fame, making her past a crucial piece of her public persona.

Yolanda Hadid: Complete Biography and Profile

Yolanda Hadid, born Yolanda van den Herik, has lived a multi-faceted life, transitioning from a farm girl to a top fashion model, an interior designer, a reality television personality, and a mother to three of the world's most recognizable faces. Her journey is marked by significant career shifts and high-profile marriages.

  • Full Name at Birth: Yolanda van den Herik
  • Current Name: Yolanda Hadid (previously Foster)
  • Date of Birth: January 11, 1964
  • Age (as of 2025): 61
  • Birthplace: Papendrecht, South Holland, Netherlands
  • Nationality: Dutch-American
  • Known For: Former model, star of *The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills* (RHOBH), Interior Designer.
  • Children: Gigi Hadid, Bella Hadid, and Anwar Hadid (with Mohamed Hadid).
  • Spouses:
    • Mohamed Hadid (m. 1994; div. 2000)
    • David Foster (m. 2011; div. 2017)
  • Notable Career Milestones: Signed with Ford Models, graced covers of *Vogue* and *Harper's Bazaar*, published the memoir *Believe Me*.

From Dutch Farm Girl to International Supermodel

The foundation of Yolanda’s unwavering determination was forged in the small Dutch town of Papendrecht. Unlike the glamorous upbringing one might assume for the mother of supermodels, Yolanda's youth was defined by hard work and rural life. She grew up on a farm, where she learned to ride horses, milk cows, and tend to the animals, a stark contrast to the glitz of the fashion world she would soon enter.

The sudden loss of her father at a young age meant she had to mature quickly, developing a sense of responsibility and resilience early on. This difficult circumstance influenced her approach to her career, instilling a drive to succeed and provide for herself.

The Accidental Discovery That Launched a Career

Yolanda's entry into the modeling world at age 16 was purely serendipitous. While helping a friend at a hair show in Amsterdam, she caught the eye of renowned Dutch designer Frans Molenaar. He asked the young Yolanda van den Herik to step in for one of his models, a moment that instantly changed the trajectory of her life.

This chance encounter led to her being discovered and signed by the prestigious Ford Models agency. Her career quickly took off, transforming the small-town girl into a globe-trotting fashion icon. She spent the next two decades traveling the world, working in major fashion capitals like Paris, Milan, and New York.

The Golden Age of Yolanda’s Modeling Portfolio

Yolanda's modeling career was extensive and highly successful, laying the groundwork for her daughters' later fame. Her portfolio is a testament to her versatility and timeless beauty, featuring work with some of the biggest names and publications in the industry. She achieved a level of supermodel status that is often overshadowed by her reality TV fame.

Her work was not limited to runways; she became a fixture in high-fashion magazines across the globe. This era of her life saw her grace the covers of major international editions, establishing her as a formidable presence in the late 80s and early 90s fashion scene.

Prestigious Magazine Covers and Campaigns

During her peak modeling years, Yolanda appeared on the covers and in the editorials of numerous high-profile publications. These appearances cemented her legacy as a top model long before the age of social media. The experience she gained became invaluable years later when managing the careers of Gigi and Bella Hadid.

Some of her most notable work includes:

  • Gracing the cover of international editions of Vogue (including Spain, Australia, Brazil, and the Netherlands).
  • Appearing in high-fashion magazines such as Harper's Bazaar and Elle Canada.
  • Working with notable photographers and designers across the world, building an extensive portfolio over her nearly 20-year career.

Life Beyond the Runway: Interior Design and Motherhood

As her modeling career wound down, Yolanda transitioned seamlessly into a new role as an interior designer, a skill she later showcased on *The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills* (RHOBH). Her meticulous eye for detail and design flair were evident in the stunning homes she created, including the famous Malibu mansion she shared with her second husband, music producer David Foster.

However, her most important and defining role began with her first marriage to Palestinian real-estate developer Mohamed Hadid. Their union produced three children: Gigi, Bella, and Anwar Hadid. Yolanda prioritized raising her children, instilling in them the same Dutch upbringing values of hard work, humility, and dedication she learned on the Papendrecht farm.

It is this combination of her rigorous modeling past and her grounded Dutch roots that she credits for the incredible success of her children in the competitive fashion industry. By the time she joined the cast of *RHOBH* in 2012, her children were just beginning their own journeys, with Yolanda serving as their "momager," guiding them with the wisdom of a former industry insider.

In recent years, Yolanda has focused on her health, including her battle with Lyme disease, which she documented in her memoir *Believe Me*. She has also been very open about supporting her daughter Bella Hadid through her own health struggles. Though her six-year relationship with fiancé Joseph Jingoli recently ended, she continues to live a private life on her farm, returning to the quiet, grounded lifestyle reminiscent of her youth in the Netherlands.

yolanda hadid young
yolanda hadid young

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