She started modeling before she could even read. By 30, she had conquered runways, launched her own brand, and raised a daughter. But how did every single year of her life shape the icon she is today?
How Old Is Gigi Hadid in 2026?
Gigi Hadid turns 31 on April 23, 2026. She was born in Los Angeles, California, in 1995 and has been a public figure for nearly three decades.
Her age tells an interesting story. She packed more career milestones into her twenties than most people do in a lifetime.
Gigi Hadid Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Jelena Noura Hadid |
| Date of Birth | April 23, 1995 |
| Age in 2026 | 31 years old |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles, California |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5 feet 10 inches |
| Star Sign | Taurus |
The Name Behind the Fame
Most people know her as Gigi. Her real name is Jelena Noura Hadid. The nickname started in childhood and stuck.
Her mother used the name “Gigi” while growing up in the Netherlands. Jelena adopted it at school to avoid confusion with another girl in her class named Helena. The name eventually became her entire brand identity.
Early Life and Family Background
Gigi grew up in a household where ambition was the norm. Her mother, Yolanda Hadid, was a successful Dutch model. Her father, Mohamed Hadid, built a real estate empire from the ground up.
The family settled first on a ranch in Santa Barbara before relocating to Beverly Hills. Both environments shaped Gigi’s sense of discipline and work ethic early on.
Growing Up as a Hadid
Her younger sister Bella and brother Anwar are both accomplished models in their own right. The three siblings grew up competing athletically and creatively, pushing each other forward.
Gigi was captain of the varsity volleyball team at Malibu High School. She also competed seriously in equestrian sports and even qualified for junior Olympic volleyball trials. These early athletic commitments instilled a level of focus that would later define her professional approach.
Life Before the Runway
After graduating from Malibu High School in 2013, Gigi moved to New York City with ambitions beyond fashion. She enrolled at The New School to study criminal psychology.
She eventually paused her studies to pursue modeling full time. That decision changed the trajectory of her life completely. Within a year of arriving in New York, she was walking at Fashion Week.
Modeling Career Through the Years
Gigi signed with IMG Models in 2013 at age 18. Her New York Fashion Week debut came in February 2014 when she walked for Desigual.
What followed was one of the fastest rises in modern modeling history. Within two years, she was one of the most recognized faces in fashion.
The Breakthrough Years: Ages 19–21
At 20, Gigi became a Maybelline brand ambassador and appeared in the Pirelli Calendar. By 21, she had walked for Chanel, Versace, Marc Jacobs, and Tommy Hilfiger.
Her collaboration with Tommy Hilfiger produced the Gigi by Tommy collection, launched at New York Fashion Week in 2016. That same year, at just 21 years old, the British Fashion Council named her International Model of the Year. It was a milestone that very few models reach so early in their careers.
Peak Earning Years: Ages 22–26
By 22, Gigi was among the highest-paid models in the world. Her annual earnings peaked at over ten million dollars through a combination of runway work, endorsements, and brand deals.
She appeared on more than 50 international Vogue covers across her career, including four in a single month in March 2017. During Fall/Winter 2017 Fashion Month, she opened and closed multiple shows across New York, Milan, and Paris. At 27, she launched Guest in Residence, her own luxury cashmere clothing brand, stepping into the role of founder and creative director.
Personal Milestones at Every Age
Gigi’s personal life has been just as visible as her professional one. She has navigated relationships, motherhood, and major life decisions all under public scrutiny.
Most people in their twenties figure things out privately. Gigi figured things out on the front pages of global magazines.
Becoming a Mother at 25
In September 2020, at age 25, Gigi welcomed her daughter Khai with then-partner Zayn Malik. Khai’s arrival changed everything about how Gigi approached her career.
She has remained deliberately protective of Khai’s privacy. She never publicly shared her daughter’s face on social media. For someone whose life is almost entirely public, this decision reflects a clear boundary she drew as a parent from the very beginning.
Relationships and Life at 30
Gigi and Zayn Malik ended their relationship in October 2021 following a legal incident involving her mother. Both have continued co-parenting Khai since then.
Since late 2023, Gigi has been in a relationship with actor Bradley Cooper, who is 20 years her senior. Both are parents to young daughters, and people close to them describe the relationship as warm, stable, and built around family. At 30, Gigi described herself as being in a genuinely settled and happy chapter of her life.
Health, Identity, and Growing Up in Public
Being famous from age two comes with real psychological weight. Gigi has spoken openly about the challenges that come with growing up in the public eye.
She has not hidden the harder parts of her journey. That honesty has made her more relatable to millions of followers.
Living with Hashimoto’s Disease
At age 19, Gigi publicly revealed that she had been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. This autoimmune condition affects the thyroid and can impact weight, energy, and metabolism.
She addressed this openly after online critics commented on changes in her appearance. Rather than staying silent, she gave an honest explanation. That choice set a tone for how she has handled personal scrutiny ever since.
Managing Anxiety in the Spotlight
Gigi has spoken publicly about struggling with social anxiety throughout her career. She attends psychotherapy to help manage it.
The admission surprised some people, given how composed she appears in every public setting. But it reinforced something important: high performance and internal struggle are not mutually exclusive. She has used her platform to reduce stigma around mental health in the fashion industry.
What Gigi Hadid Is Doing at 31
At 31, Gigi is more selective about her career than she was in her early twenties. She takes on projects that align with her values as both a creative and a mother.
Guest in Residence continues to grow as a brand. She recently launched a collaboration with Los Angeles label Madhappy on a limited women’s collection.
Entrepreneurship and Brand Work
In 2025, Gigi signed as global ambassador for Brazilian footwear brand Havaianas. She also partnered with French luxury house Rabanne as the face of their fragrance Million Gold For Her.
Her approach to brand partnerships has matured significantly. She is no longer taking every campaign that comes her way. At 31, she is making choices that reflect a longer-term business strategy rather than maximum short-term exposure.
A Quieter, More Grounded Life
Gigi has talked about wanting more time on her Pennsylvania farm, away from the pace of New York and fashion capitals. She cooks regularly and shares those moments on social media.
She is raising Khai in a deliberately low-key environment. The contrast between her public persona and her private life has become one of the most defining things about who she is at this age. She built one of the biggest careers in fashion and still chose a life that looks, in many ways, remarkably ordinary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Gigi Hadid in 2026?
She turns 31 on April 23, 2026.
When was Gigi Hadid born?
April 23, 1995, in Los Angeles, California.
What is Gigi Hadid’s real name?
Her full name is Jelena Noura Hadid.
How old was Gigi when she started modeling professionally?
She signed with IMG Models at 18 and made her Fashion Week debut at 19.
How old is Gigi Hadid’s daughter Khai?
Khai was born in September 2020 and turned 5 in 2025.
What health condition does Gigi Hadid have?
She was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune thyroid condition, at age 19.
How much older is Bradley Cooper than Gigi Hadid?
Bradley Cooper is 20 years older than Gigi.
What brand did Gigi Hadid launch at age 27?
She launched Guest in Residence, a luxury cashmere clothing line, in 2022.
Conclusion
Gigi Hadid is 31 years old in 2026, and her story is far from finished. From a two-year-old in a Baby Guess ad to a supermodel, entrepreneur, and mother, she has built a career that most people spend a lifetime working toward. Each year of her life has added a new layer to one of fashion’s most compelling ongoing stories.
Hayat has 10 years of experience creating content on Bible verses, prayers, and blessings. She runs PrayerAndWish.com, sharing simple and meaningful spiritual guidance.
