Contrary to popular belief, she is not related to supermodel Iman. In her book Desert Flower, Dirie states that Iman's mother was good friends with her aunt, a relative with whom Waris once lived during her time in London.
Shocked the world with the bestselling book "Desert Flower," that described how she underwent genital mutilation, and was given in arranged marriage to a 61-year-old man at the age of 13. She escaped and walked for 9 days to reach an uncle's house.
Gained international fame as a model in Chanel ads and as a Bond Girl, before launching her campaign against female genital mutilation in 1996.
We can give no more excuses for [female genital mutilation]. This is a pure crime against a child. And we are doing it ... not God or nature. (2007 U.N. press conference)