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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Entertainment
Heather Saul

Iman confirms mother's death less than three months after David Bowie dies

Iman has confirmed her mother Maryan Baadi has died just months after the passing of her husband, the pioneering singer David Bowie

The Somali supermodel and business woman paid tribute to her mother on Twitter and Instagram, where she shared a picture of Ms Baadi standing with Bowie and her father. 

In September 2015, Iman described how her mother, a retired gynaecologist, had sold her jewellery to pay to send her to the best boarding school in Somalia. “I resented my mother for it and we really had a tough go, but then I found out she sold all her jewelry to pay for my education. That was the best school for girls in my country."

Iman said the best advice her parents ever gave her was to believe in herself and her abilities. "[They told me] that I can do anything better than the boys. For a Muslim girl, that really propels you."

Bowie died on 10 January from cancer aged 69. They were married for 24 years and have a daughter together, Alexandria Zahra Jones. 

Iman celebrated her husband’s most iconic personas over the decades with a series of Instagram posts during his final days, but has never spoken publically about his death. 

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