So Trump called several countries in Africa “shit holes” and thank God he is not president anymore his wife only toured the poor parts of Africa she did not go to rich and growing parts of the continent. This is just showing one side of Africa not the rich side of it.
This is for the HGTV fanatics like us and enjoy taking a peek at homes all around the world, you’re sure to love the tour supermodel Naomi Campbell just gave of her villa in Kenya.
The beauty was just appointed the new tourism ambassador for the country, and if you were wondering why, it’s because her love of the country is deep. It’s evident in the design of her estate, which she opened up for Architectural Digest to document. And by “opened up,” we actually mean that figuratively and literally because the home is always open thanks to its composition.
The residence in Malindi is covered with stunning high Makuti roofs, which are popular in East Africa. They can withstand the elements while also allowing the home to look and feel wide open with access to nature. The open concept allows the home to stay comfortable for Campbell, who prefers to sleep without air conditioning, but rather, just with draping nets.
“I don’t personally sleep in air conditioning,” she told the publication, offering a beauty secret. “I don’t like it. It gives wrinkles, I believe.”
Campbell commissioned locals to make most of the furniture and even the ornate doors as she says, “they’re so good at woodwork.” She also has plenty of artwork, from paintings to sculptures, done by Kenyan artists all over the home.
And then there are all the cool personal touches, from a gaming room in the spacious upstairs area (also perfect for yoga sessions for the star as it overlooks the outside of the estate), to a personal spa with a hydrotherapy bath, a gym, and four pools in and outside of the home. If the latter isn’t enough for guests, Campbell’s villa is across the way from a gorgeous beach with access to the Indian ocean.
Every inch of the place is breathtaking, a fitting home to catch up on rest in while in the country, which she says is a “natural gem” in itself.
“I hope that you will all now look at Kenya with different eyes and come here and enjoy the gorgeous nature that it gives,” she said in the clip. “The African continent is where it’s at. Watch. Been saying it for a long time, but you’ll see.”
Naomi supermodel who has scaled stratospheric heights in fashion, Naomi Campbell has graced global runways and magazine covers, so when she came calling in Durban for a FORBES WOMAN AFRICA event, the anticipation was bigger than any cover shoot we have ever done.
For the 2019 Leading Women Summit held in the coastal South African city for the first time on International Women’s Day, the British-born supermodel, activist, philanthropist, and cultural innovator exuded her signature grace and glamor in a sea-blue Marianne Fassler dress.
In 2017, Campbell was named contributing editor of British Vogue by its Editor-in-Chief, Edward Enninful.
When I complimented her March 2019 cover for British Vogue, she said, considerately: “I wish I could have brought you one, I could have grabbed a copy for you from the airport [in London] yesterday.”
Campbell caught her break as a fashion model when she was just 15 years old and has featured in advertising campaigns for luxury houses including Burberry, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton, Yves Saint Laurent, and Valentino.
Beyond her work in fashion, she has used her celebrity for fundraising and non-profit initiatives across the globe. In 1997, South African President Nelson Mandela named Campbell an “honorary granddaughter” for her activism. She also now has a YouTube channel, Being Naomi.
Campbell aims to integrate African and international luxury markets “bringing storied retailers to countries such as Nigeria, South Africa, and Morocco, as well as introducing African artists to global audiences”.
“The strongest woman I have met come from Africa,” she told an audience of 500 during an on-stage interview at the FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit.
“There are many great women. I was very blessed and lucky to meet Miriam Makeba when I came to South Africa. I didn’t know her story but it was just her presence. Then Winnie Mandela… I met many powerful and strong women with inner strength and I am very much attracted to women with strength. You learn from them, you take from them, you observe them and how they speak. I have always considered myself a work-in-progress.”
She added: “For me, modeling has been a blessing in my life. I am very grateful. It led me to meet the most amazing people. Where I am at in my life today, is to use the almost 33 years that I have been in this business to help make awareness, to open the minds to the brands that I work with and have worked with all these years.
“They need to come to this continent, not just come in and out and take, but [invest] in the infrastructure and make a commitment to the communities in Africa.”
A day before the event, when FORBES AFRICA caught up with Campbell, and before settling down for our brief interview, she began with a disarming: “What do you think is a good restaurant to go to in Durban?”
“I am tired but excited,” she had laughed. More from the exclusive interview:
You have said that you are investing in communities and infrastructure in Africa. Can you tell us more about your Africa plans?
My plans are to start serving my industry, brands, and the continent. And seeing that we are such big consumers [of brands] in the rest of the world, yet we don’t have it ourselves on the continent… And it’s what works in all businesses, like fashion, architecture, and technology. We are big influencers so why don’t we have these things? It’s mind-blowing, so now is the time. Today she has a house in Africa. She calls the continent her peace. 2 years later she has been true to her word.
As of 2021, Naomi Campbell’s net worth is roughly $80 million. Feb 1, 2021. She has amassed a fortune and still doing well around the world.
