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Ubah Ali Hassan (
Somali: Ubax Xasan,
Arabic: اوبح حسن; born 27 August 1983) is a
Somali-
Canadian model, businesswoman, and television personality. She has worked with a number of top designers including
Ralph Lauren,
Gucci,
Rachel Roy, and
Oscar de la Renta. She is the founder and CEO of Ubah Hot, her own personal brand of hot sauce. Hassan is also known for starring in the
Bravo reality series The Real Housewives of New York City, which she joined in the show's
fourteenth season. In addition, she is involved in philanthropic work.
Early life
Hassan was born in
Somalia in 1983. In 1991, Hassan's mother and three sisters fled war-torn Somalia and moved to
Ethiopia. Hassan, her father, and her brother stayed in Somalia until 1994 when they then moved to
Kenya. Hassan later immigrated to
Canada at the age of 15, where she was reunited with her mother and sisters who had also immigrated to the country. Hassan's family was forced to live in a
homeless shelter for a year upon their move to Canada.[3][4][5]
Career
At age 17, Hassan was talent spotted at a park in Canada by a photographer and subsequently began modeling in
Vancouver and
Toronto.[6][4] She was also the owner of a restaurant while living in Vancouver.[7] In 2007, she was signed to Click Model Management in
New York City.[3] There she began doing high profile photoshoots and walking fashion runways.
In March 2015, Hassan was the subject of a
documentaryshort film titled Ubah! that was directed by
Joe Berlinger and premiered on
CNN.com. In the short film, Hassan discusses her upbringing in
Somalia, career in modeling, and philanthropic efforts in
Cambodia.[18]
Hassan is the founder and CEO of Ubah Hot, an African-inspired vegan hot sauce brand.[19] The hot sauce became available to purchase in June 2021 and was featured as one of
Oprah's Favorite Things in November of that same year.[20] She appeared in the seventh episode of the first season of the
Netflix reality series My Unorthodox Life, where she discussed her hot sauce brand with the show's star
Julia Haart.
Hassan is involved with various philanthropic efforts. She is an
Oxfam Sisters on the Planet ambassador.[23] The goal of the organization is to end systemic discrimination against women by changing laws and policies that keep women in poverty. In 2012, Hassan partnered with Oxfam to create Maji Umbrellas. The company, which Hassan was the president and co-founder of, sold umbrellas and donated a portion of the profits to clean water initiatives in
East Africa.[24] Hassan was later the recipient of an Elle magazine Genius Award for her work with Maji Umbrellas.[25]
She works closely with footwear brand
Toms Shoes' global charity and has traveled to
Cambodia to give shoes and other essentials to people in need.[26][27] In the documentary short film Ubah!, Hassan is shown raising money for the
Cambodian Children's Fund. She talked about feeling compelled to act and help the children there after her trip to the country.[18] Hassan also works with
All Hands and Hearts, a nonprofit organization benefiting those impacted by natural disasters.[28]
In June 2023, Hassan was honored by the Gabrielle's Angel Foundation for Cancer Research for her efforts raising awareness and funds for cancer research.[29] She said she was motivated to join the cause after her mother died from
leukemia in 2012.[30][31]
Personal life
Hassan is a
Muslim.[28] She is a cousin of fellow model
Chanel Ayan, who is one of the stars of The Real Housewives of Dubai.[32] Hassan is currently in a relationship with investment banker Oliver Dachsel, who she began dating in 2022.[33]
References
^"Ubah A Hassan". Radaris.
Archived from the original on 27 August 2023. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
^
abcNewberry, Penny (1 February 2011).
"Model Mondays: Ubah Hassan". allpeneverything.com.
Archived from the original on 6 July 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.