Being Iman’s daughter sounds glamorous—until everyone expects you to look, live, and shine like a supermodel too.
Zulekha Haywood was born into a famous family that most people would envy. Her mother is legendary supermodel Iman. Her father is a former NBA star, Spencer Haywood. Later, David Bowie became her stepfather. That is not exactly a low-pressure family tree.
But Zulekha did not become Iman 2.0. She did not chase the runway, the red carpet, or the celebrity-child spotlight. Instead, she built a quieter life around business, family, and privacy.
So who is Zulekha Haywood really? And how did Iman’s daughter grow up under one of fashion’s biggest shadows without letting that shadow define her whole life?
Quick Facts About Zulekha Haywood
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Zulekha Haywood |
| Born | July 5, 1978 |
| Age | 47 years old as of 2026 |
| Mother | Iman |
| Father | Spencer Haywood |
| Stepfather | David Bowie |
| Known For | Iman’s daughter, Spencer Haywood’s daughter |
| Profession | Business analyst, former cosmetics executive |
| Husband | Jason Young |
| Daughter | Lavinia Rose Young |
| Public Image | Private, low-key, business-focused |
Who Is Zulekha Haywood?
Zulekha Haywood is best known as the daughter of supermodel Iman and former NBA player Spencer Haywood. She was born on July 5, 1978, and grew up close to fame, fashion, sports, and later, music royalty through Iman’s marriage to David Bowie.
That comparison followed her early, and it became one of the most complicated parts of growing up as Iman’s daughter.
Unlike her mother, who was known for her striking features and regal figure, Zulekha did not quite fit supermodel standards. She struggled with insecurities about her appearance as a young child and a blossoming woman.
Still, Zulekha’s story is not just about looks. It is also about famous parents, impossible expectations, a private career, and the quiet life she chose outside Iman’s shadow.
Zulekha Haywood’s Family
| Person | Relationship |
| Iman | Mother |
| Spencer Haywood | Father |
| David Bowie | Stepfather |
| Alexandria Zahra Jones | Half-sister |
| Isis, Shaakira, and Nikiah Haywood | Half-sisters |
| Lavinia Rose Young | Daughter |
Zulekha Haywood was born on July 5, 1978, as the only child of Iman and Spencer Haywood.
Iman was a Political Science student in Nairobi, Kenya when Peter Beard discovered her. He was so captivated by her beauty that he stopped her in the street and offered to pay her for a photograph. It paid for her college tuition and launched her modeling career.
Spencer Haywood was a basketball prodigy. At 19, he was the youngest American basketball player to make it to the US Olympic Team. He led the team to a gold medal in 1968, setting the record for the most points scored. The record stood for 44 years.
The famous couple divorced when Zulekha was only nine years old. Afterward, they remarried different people and had other children. Spencer Haywood’s marriage to Linda Haywood in 1990 gave Zulekha three half-sisters, Isis, Shaakira, and Nikiah.
Iman was married again to David Bowie in 1992 and had a daughter with him named Alexandria Zahra.
Zulekha Haywood’s Early Life in the Limelight
Her parents’ celebrity status gave Zulekha an interesting start in life. At only a few months old, she graced the ninth-anniversary issue of ESSENCE Magazine alongside her mother in 1979.
Three years later, she again appeared on the cover of the same magazine. This time, she posed with both her parents.
Image source: Instagram
So before Zulekha was old enough to choose privacy, fame had already found her.
That makes her later low-key life even more interesting. She did not avoid attention because she never knew it. She had seen fame up close from the beginning.
Zulekha Haywood’s Career
Zulekha succeeded in forging her own path as an adult. Straying away from the fields her parents chose, she built a business career. In 2002, she started work as the Executive Assistant Office Manager at her mother’s company, Iman Cosmetics.
She worked there for twelve years until she transitioned to Jay Manuel Beauty in 2014. There, she worked as a project manager and brand analyst. Throughout her career, she continued to grow and evolve.
In 2016, she moved on again and started work as an inventory analyst at Portu Sunberg. Her career shows that she stayed close to the beauty industry, but from the business side rather than the spotlight.
What Challenges Did Zulekha Haywood Face, Growing Up Famous?
Before finding her path, Zulekha faced many challenges as the daughter of famous parents. She grappled with feelings of inadequacy because she couldn’t fit into either parent’s world.
She thought she was too overweight to become a supermodel like her mother.
By the time she was eight years old, she was used to diets. Her mother taught her the “basta” diet. Basta means “enough,” in Italian. Iman would whisper the word to Zulekha whenever the supermodel thought her daughter was eating too much food.
On the other hand, Zulekha’s father put her on a different diet. This one, Zulekha dubbed the “Eat like a pig, run like a horse” diet. The basketball star tried to train her as a power forward, as well. However, they soon found out she didn’t have an aptitude for her father’s sport.
Failing to succeed in the fields her parents were known for lowered Zulekha’s self-esteem.
Ultimately, she found a “third option” outside her parents’ interests. She wanted to be happy with her looks and found other models to admire that looked more like her.
In her twenties, she had gastric bypass surgery for health reasons. She lost plenty of weight, but she was determined not to let the numbers define her no matter what. In the end, Zulekha’s story is not about failing to become Iman. It is about finding peace with becoming herself.
Where Is Zulekha Haywood Now?
Zulekha Haywood now lives a quieter life with her husband, Jason Young, and their daughter, Lavinia Rose Young. After years of working in beauty and business, she has chosen a private path far from the constant celebrity spotlight she grew up around.
Her daughter Lavinia was born in 2017, adding a new chapter to Zulekha’s life as a mother. While she grew up around supermodels, athletes, and music royalty, Zulekha’s life today appears to be centered more on marriage, motherhood, and privacy than fame.
Image source: Google
Zulekha Haywood’s Life Timeline
- 1978: Zulekha Haywood was born to Iman and Spencer Haywood.
- 1979: She appeared with Iman in Essence Magazine.
- 1980s: Iman and Spencer Haywood divorced.
- 1992: Iman married David Bowie, making him Zulekha’s stepfather.
- 2002: Zulekha began working at Iman Cosmetics.
- 2014: She later worked with Jay Manuel Beauty.
- 2016: She worked at Portu Sunberg.
- 2017: She welcomed her daughter, Lavinia Rose Young.
- Now: She lives a private, business-focused life away from heavy celebrity attention.
FAQ
1. Who is Zulekha Haywood?
Zulekha Haywood is the daughter of supermodel Iman and former NBA player Spencer Haywood.
2. Is Zulekha Haywood David Bowie’s daughter?
No. David Bowie was her stepfather after he married Iman in 1992.
3. What does Zulekha Haywood do?
She has worked in business, beauty, and brand-related roles, including Iman Cosmetics, Jay Manuel Beauty, and Portu Sunberg.
4. Is Zulekha Haywood married?
She is reported to be married to Jason Young, though she keeps her private life low-key.
5. Does Zulekha Haywood have children?
Yes, she has a daughter named Lavinia Rose Young.
Conclusion
When your parents have towering legacies, it is easy to lose yourself in everyone else’s expectations. But Zulekha Haywood did not become a copy of Iman, Spencer Haywood, or the famous world around her. She chose something quieter: her own career, her own family, and her own peace.
