You’ve heard of supermodels Gigi and Bella Hadid. Their dashing brother Anwar has made headlines too. But did you know there are two more Hadid sisters? That’s right, meet Marielle Hadid – the stylish eldest half-sister of the Hadid siblings you know and love.
Marielle’s Family Roots
Marielle was born on September 7, 1980 in Washington D.C. to parents Mohamed Hadid and Mary Butler. Her father Mohamed, a successful real estate developer originally from Palestine, was married to Mary before wedding Dutch model Yolanda van den Herik (now Yolanda Hadid) in 1994.
Marielle and her younger sister Alana are the products of Mohamed’s first marriage. After Mohamed and Mary divorced in 1992, he went on to have three more children with Yolanda – Gigi in 1995, Bella in 1996, and Anwar in 1999. So while Gigi, Bella and Anwar are household names today, Marielle and Alana are their lesser-known but equally talented older half-sisters.
Marielle’s Career Path
Unlike her model siblings, Marielle Hadid has largely stayed out of the limelight and pursued a different professional path. The 43-year-old runs her own business called Living Well with Marielle, which offers home organization and design services.
On her website, Marielle states her goal is “to help make the home that you crave – all the necessities plus the luxuries, streamlined, clean, a cozy sanctuary.” Her services span interior design, closet organization, party planning, and holiday decorating. It seems Marielle inherited her father’s eye for style and knack for turning houses into chic, inviting homes.
Marielle also co-founded an eyewear brand with sister Alana called, fittingly, Hadid Eyewear. The designer shades have been spotted on the famous faces of Gigi and Bella. Despite having a lower public profile than her model half-sisters, Marielle’s talents have been tapped for some exciting family collaborations.
Marielle’s Fashionable Family
With a family full of models, it’s no surprise style runs in Marielle’s blood too. Mom Mary was a model before becoming a mom, while former stepmom Yolanda modeled around the world in the ’80s. Marielle’s younger siblings Gigi, Bella, and Anwar have commanded catwalks from New York to Paris.
Though Marielle herself hasn’t pursued professional modeling, she clearly shares her family’s passion for fashion. Her Instagram showcases her classic yet trendy aesthetic, and she’s been known to share cute throwback pics of her and her model sisters when they were little.
Gigi & Bella’s “Big Sis”
Despite their 13+ year age gap, Marielle maintains a close and supportive relationship with Gigi and Bella. Gigi has affectionately referred to Marielle as “my big sis” and the “lead Hadid” on social media. The eldest Hadid lives a more private life in comparison to her famous younger siblings, but has been spotted attending events like Gigi’s birthday parties over the years.
Growing up, Marielle got to see Gigi and Bella evolve from young teens to the supermodels they are today. She was already an adult when her half-sisters first appeared on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alongside mom Yolanda in 2012. The reality show chronicled the beginnings of Gigi and Bella’s meteoric modeling careers, with Marielle cheering them on from the sidelines.
Marielle’s Personal Life
Marielle is a proud mom of two. She has a son named Colton and daughter Coco, both of whom have made cameos on aunt Gigi’s Instagram. In one memorable clip, Gigi jammed with Coco and Colton as they adorably formed a family band.
Marielle’s kids are clearly close with their famous aunts, uncles and cousins. Gigi’s daughter Khai, born in 2020, is lucky to have Colton and Coco as her cool older cousins. No doubt Marielle is a doting aunt to the newest member of the Hadid brood.
The Hadids Stay Close-Knit
“We really protect and support each other,” Alana Hadid told Grazia in 2019 about her tight-knit clan. “We love each other, we want to be close, and we don’t think of each other as anything other than brother and sister. That’s why we stay close.”
Half-sisters Marielle and Alana provide unwavering support as Gigi, Bella and Anwar navigate the ups and downs of being in the public eye. In the Hadid family, there seems to be no room for sibling rivalry – only unconditional love.
The Hadid siblings’ shared Palestinian heritage also keeps them bonded. Marielle, Alana, Gigi, Bella and Anwar have all proudly embraced their roots, using their platforms to raise awareness about Middle Eastern issues. Marielle may not be a mega-famous model like her younger sisters, but she shares their passion for honoring their family background.
What’s Next for Marielle?
As Marielle Hadid approaches her mid-40s, the multi-talented entrepreneur continues to build her Living Well business while being a hands-on mom to her two kids. Though she’s not chasing supermodel stardom, Marielle’s warmth, creativity and low-key style make her a star in her own right.
It’s clear Marielle is the grounding force at the heart of the famous Hadid family. While Gigi, Bella and Anwar jet around the world and dazzle in designer duds, their “big sis” keeps the home fires burning. Marielle Hadid may not regularly rock red carpets, but her contributions behind the scenes are just as important. Here’s to hoping we see more of this classy, capable Hadid in the years to come!
