Waris Dirie Parents: Meet her Mother Faduma

Waris Dirie is a Somali model, author, actress and human rights activist. She is the daughter of Faduma.

The name of her father and further information about her parents, such as his specific background, is not widely documented or publicly available.

She grew up in a traditional Somali household and experienced the challenges and cultural practices common in her community, including female genital mutilation (FGM).

Wari was just five years old when she was subjected to infibulation mutilation. She travelled through the desert to Mogadishu at the age of thirteen to avoid an arranged marriage to a 60-year-old man.

S he persuaded one of her uncles, the Somali ambassador to the United Kingdom at the time to engage her and transport her to London, where she worked for little money at her uncle’s mansion.

In 2019, Waris shared via her foundation website that she had forgiven her mother for the part she played in her mutilation. “Again and again I am asked whether I feel hatred towards my mother because she did this cruel circumcision to me at the age of five. The truth is, you never quite recover from such a terrible experience. But I have never felt hate.”

Mom, I forgave you a long time ago. It is well known that forgiveness is the strongest act of love.” I am proud that you have changed your mind and are fighting today at my side against this cruel practice. This is one of my most beautiful successes. I thank you for that. Mom, I love you very much.”