Few supermodels spark as much curiosity as Bella Hadid. She’s walked for Dior and Versace, has 59 million Instagram followers, and yet her public story reaches far beyond the runway — it’s about living with Lyme disease, navigating a dual Palestinian and Dutch heritage, and growing up in a family where hard work was expected despite substantial wealth.
Age: 27 (born October 9, 1996) ·
Instagram followers: 59 million ·
Modeling debut: Signed with IMG Models in 2014 ·
Heritage: Palestinian and Dutch ·
Lyme disease diagnosis: Diagnosed in 2012
Quick snapshot
- Diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2012 (Arab News)
- Full name Isabella Khair Hadid (Wikipedia)
- Signed with IMG Models in 2014 (Britannica)
- Palestinian and Dutch descent (Arab News)
- Current relationship status — kept private (People)
- Exact net worth — only estimates exist (Celebrity Net Worth)
- Arabic fluency — understands some but does not speak fluently (Arab News)
- Ongoing treatment for chronic Lyme disease (Healthline)
- Continued fashion campaigns and brand partnerships (Vogue)
- Public advocacy for chronic illness awareness (New York Times)
Eight key facts, one pattern: Bella Hadid’s public profile is built on a mix of high-fashion success and deeply personal health challenges that most models never have to navigate.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Isabella Khair Hadid |
| Date of birth | October 9, 1996 |
| Place of birth | Washington, D.C., USA |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) |
| Nationality | American, Palestinian descent, Dutch descent |
| Occupation | Model |
| Instagram followers | 59 million |
| Agency | IMG Models |
What is Bella Hadid’s diagnosis?
Bella Hadid was diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2012, a bacterial infection transmitted by tick bites that affects multiple body systems. Her mother, Mohamed Hadid‘s ex-wife Yolanda Hadid, and her brother Anwar were also diagnosed with chronic Lyme disease that same year, according to Wikipedia.
Symptoms of Lyme disease include fatigue, joint pain, and neurological issues. Bella has spoken publicly about her ongoing health struggles. In 2016, she told BBC News that living with Lyme disease makes modelling a struggle. She had to give up equestrian competition in 2013 because of the condition, as reported by NZ Herald.
Bella Hadid’s Lyme diagnosis means she manages a chronic illness while performing at the highest level of an industry that demands physical endurance. The $19 million she earned in 2023 reflects how she has navigated that reality, not despite it.
Can long-term Lyme disease be cured?
Long-term Lyme disease — often called chronic Lyme disease — is treatable but not always fully curable. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that most cases resolve with antibiotics, but some patients experience persistent symptoms known as post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome. Bella has described her experience as an ongoing management process, not a one-time recovery.
- Standard treatment: 2–4 weeks of antibiotics, per Healthline
- Chronic symptoms can last months or years even after treatment (Healthline)
- Bella has said she experiences flare-ups that affect her energy and work schedule (New York Times)
The implication: For Bella and others with chronic Lyme, the disease is a long-term condition to be managed rather than a single episode to be cured, and that reality shapes every aspect of her career.
What nationality is Bella Hadid from?
Bella Hadid is of Palestinian and Dutch descent. Her father, Mohamed Hadid, is a Palestinian real estate developer, and her mother, Yolanda Hadid, is Dutch and a former model, according to Wikipedia. She was born in Washington, D.C., and raised in California, making her an American citizen by birth.
She has been described as “Dutch-Palestinian” in editorial coverage, per Arab News, and has spoken about her pride in her Palestinian heritage. Her father’s real estate career is detailed in the biography of Mohamed Hadid, which covers his success as a developer and his family dynamics.
Bella Hadid is an American-born supermodel with Palestinian and Dutch roots who does not speak Arabic fluently — yet she has become one of the most visible Arab-descended figures in global fashion, a symbol of heritage that is often discussed but not fully embodied in language.
Do Bella Hadid speak Arabic?
Bella Hadid has stated that she does not speak Arabic fluently but understands some of the language. In interviews, she has expressed a desire to learn more, according to Arab News. Her father, Mohamed Hadid, is a native Arabic speaker, and his family background is rooted in the Palestinian diaspora.
- She understands spoken Arabic but cannot converse fluently (Arab News)
- She has publicly expressed pride in her Palestinian heritage (Britannica)
- Her mother is Dutch, and Bella was raised primarily in an English-speaking household (Wikipedia)
What this means: Bella Hadid’s relationship with Arabic reflects a common experience among second-generation diaspora children — cultural pride without native fluency — and it has become a topic of public curiosity precisely because of her high profile as a Palestinian-descended celebrity.
Who is richer, Gigi or Bella Hadid?
Gigi Hadid has a higher estimated net worth than Bella Hadid. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Bella’s net worth is estimated at $25 million, while Gigi’s is estimated at $30 million per a 2025 comparison article cited by Scorpio Like You. That puts Gigi about $5 million ahead.
Gigi has been featured on Forbes’ highest-paid models list multiple times. Bella also made the list, earning $19 million in 2023 alone, according to Wikipedia. Gigi earned $9.5 million in 2016, per Celebrity Net Worth.
Five metrics, one pattern: Gigi has a longer runway of earnings, but Bella’s peak single-year income is nearly double what Gigi earned at her early peak.
| Metric | Bella Hadid | Gigi Hadid |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Isabella Khair Hadid | Jelena Noura Hadid |
| Date of birth | October 9, 1996 | April 23, 1995 |
| Estimated net worth | $25 million | $30 million |
| Highest single-year earnings | $19 million (2023) | $9.5 million (2016) |
| Signed with IMG Models | 2014 | 2011 |
| Lyme disease diagnosis | Yes (2012) | No |
Was Gigi Hadid born rich?
Gigi and Bella Hadid were both raised in a wealthy family. Their father, Mohamed Hadid, is a successful real estate developer, and their mother, Yolanda, is a former model and reality TV star. However, Yolanda has emphasized that she kept her children grounded and expected them to work for their own success, according to People.
Both sisters began modeling in their teens, and their family connections helped open doors, but their individual earnings — Gigi’s $30 million and Bella’s $25 million — reflect their own commercial success rather than inherited wealth.
Who is the richest supermodel ever?
The richest supermodel ever is generally cited as Gisele Bündchen, with an estimated net worth of $400 million, according to Forbes. Kathy Ireland also ranks among the wealthiest, with estimates around $350 million from her business ventures beyond modeling. Bella Hadid’s $25 million and Gigi’s $30 million place them in the upper tier of current working models but far below the all-time wealth leaders.
Is Bella Hadid in a relationship?
Bella Hadid has been in an on-and-off relationship with musician The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye) since 2015, according to People. She has also been linked to other celebrities, but as of the most recent reports, she keeps her relationship status private.
The couple’s relationship has been public at times, with both appearing together at events and on social media, but they have also had extended periods apart. Bella has not publicly confirmed a current partner.
- First linked with The Weeknd in 2015 (People)
- On-off dynamic through 2021 and beyond (Vogue)
- Current status not publicly confirmed (Instagram)
The catch: Bella Hadid’s relationship status is a topic of intense public curiosity, but she has chosen to keep that part of her life private — a boundary that many public figures struggle to maintain, and one that she has managed with consistency.
Is Bella Hadid from a rich family?
Yes, Bella Hadid grew up in a wealthy family. Her father, Mohamed Hadid, is a Palestinian real estate developer with a net worth estimated in the hundreds of millions, according to Wikipedia. Her mother, Yolanda Hadid, is a former model and reality TV star known for “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.”
Despite their privileged upbringing, Yolanda emphasized hard work and discipline. Bella has said in interviews that she was expected to work for her own money and that her mother kept her grounded, as reported by People.
- Mohamed Hadid’s real estate portfolio includes luxury hotels and mansions (Wikipedia)
- Yolanda Hadid built her own career as a model and TV personality (Britannica)
- Bella and her siblings were raised in a privileged environment but expected to earn their own success (People)
Why this matters: The “rich family” label follows Bella, but the real story is that she and Gigi have built careers that generate their own multimillion-dollar incomes — separate from their father’s wealth — making them self-made superstars in their own right.
“Living with Lyme disease makes modelling a struggle.”
— Bella Hadid, in an interview with BBC News (2016)
“I made sure my kids knew that just because we had money, it didn’t mean they wouldn’t work for what they wanted. They had to earn their own way.”
— Yolanda Hadid, as quoted in People
Bella Hadid’s story is not just about a supermodel with a famous last name. It’s about someone who manages a chronic illness under the spotlight, navigates a dual heritage with pride, and has built a career that earns her tens of millions while her family’s wealth provides a backdrop rather than a definition. For the millions who follow her on Instagram and the fashion industry that books her, the takeaway is clear: Bella Hadid is a working model who happens to be rich, not a rich girl who happens to model.
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For a deeper look into Bella Hadids health and career journey, readers can explore how her Lyme diagnosis has shaped both her personal life and professional trajectory.
Frequently asked questions
Do Bella Hadid speak Arabic?
Bella Hadid has stated that she does not speak Arabic fluently but understands some of the language. She has expressed pride in her Palestinian heritage and a desire to learn more, according to Arab News.
Was Gigi Hadid born rich?
Yes, both Gigi and Bella Hadid were raised in a wealthy family. Their father, Mohamed Hadid, is a successful real estate developer, and their mother, Yolanda, is a former model. However, Yolanda emphasized hard work and discipline, and both sisters have built their own multimillion-dollar careers, according to People.
Who is the richest supermodel ever?
Gisele Bündchen is widely cited as the richest supermodel ever, with an estimated net worth of $400 million, according to Forbes. Kathy Ireland also ranks among the wealthiest, with estimates around $350 million from her business ventures.
Can long-term Lyme disease be cured?
Long-term Lyme disease is treatable but not always fully curable. The CDC states that most cases resolve with antibiotics, but some patients experience persistent symptoms. Bella Hadid has described her experience as an ongoing management process.
How old is Bella Hadid?
Bella Hadid was born on October 9, 1996, making her 27 years old as of 2024, according to Wikipedia.
What is Bella Hadid’s height?
Bella Hadid is 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) tall, according to Wikipedia.
Is Bella Hadid active on Instagram?
Yes, Bella Hadid has 59 million followers on Instagram as of 2025, according to her official Instagram account. She regularly posts about her modeling work, advocacy, and personal life.
George Harry Howard Bennett is a staff writer for Public Journal UK, specializing in UK news, policy analysis, and public affairs coverage. He works under Editor-in-Chief Margaret Ellison, maintaining high standards of sourcing, verification, and fact-checking. Bennett reports on Westminster, government policy, and societal issues, providing balanced and accurate journalism with timely insight.