Zulekha Haywood has carved out her own remarkable path, stepping away from the glittering spotlight that follows her famous parents to build a successful business career. As the eldest daughter of supermodel legend Iman and NBA Hall of Famer Spencer Haywood, she’s proven that sometimes the most inspiring stories come from those who choose their own lane rather than riding on family fame.
But Zulekha’s story isn’t just about business success—it’s also one of personal transformation, body positivity, and finding happiness on your own terms.
Quick Facts About Zulekha Haywood
| Full Name | Zulekha Haywood |
| Date of Birth | 5th July 1978 |
| Age | 47 years old (as of 2025) |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Mixed (African-American and Somali) |
| Profession | Business Analyst, Entrepreneur, Accountant |
| Famous Parents | Iman (supermodel) & Spencer Haywood (NBA legend) |
| Husband | Jayson Young |
| Children | Lavinia Rose Young |
| Net Worth | Estimated $4 million |
| Zodiac Sign | Cancer |
Biography
Born on 5th July 1978 in the United States, Zulekha Haywood entered the world with quite the legacy to live up to. Her mum, Iman Mohamed Abdulmajid, was already a global icon in the modelling world, whilst her dad, Spencer Haywood, was making waves as a professional basketball sensation who’d go on to win Olympic gold and earn his place in the NBA Hall of Fame.
Growing up mixed-race with Somali and American heritage, Zulekha found herself navigating a complex family dynamic. After her parents divorced in 1987, when she was just nine, she became part of a beautifully blended family that would eventually include several step-siblings:
- From her father’s relationships: Isis, Courtney, Nikkiah, Shaakira, and Linda Haywood
- From her mother’s marriage to David Bowie: Alexandria Zahra Jones (half-sister)
- From David Bowie’s previous marriage: Duncan Jones (step-brother)
Personal Struggles
Here’s where Zulekha’s story becomes incredibly relatable and inspiring. Imagine being the child of two people who were literally paid to be physically perfect—a supermodel mum and an elite athlete dad—whilst struggling with your own body image and weight issues from childhood.
Zulekha’s relationship with food and dieting began frighteningly early. At just eight years old, she was already trying to lose weight, beginning with what she calls the “Basta” diet (basta meaning “enough” in Italian). Her mum, Iman, would gently whisper the word when she felt Zulekha was overeating, though the choice was always left to her daughter.
But like many children, Zulekha became quite clever at working around restrictions, mastering the art of midnight snacking and trading school lunches for less healthy options.
Her dad, Spencer, introduced the “Eat Like a Pig, Run Like a Horse” approach, hoping that intensive sports training might be the answer. During one particularly gruelling tennis camp summer, Zulekha trained four hours daily in sweltering heat, living on watermelon and lemon ices. The result? She dropped 30 pounds and returned to school feeling amazing in those coveted skin-tight Guess jeans.
The victory was short-lived. By Christmas, not only had the weight returned, but she’d gained an additional 20 pounds. The harsh reality hit: sustaining such extreme exercise routines wasn’t realistic for long-term success.
Rather than letting the diet failures crush her spirit, Zulekha made a revolutionary decision for her time—she chose to love herself exactly as she was. Weighing over 300 pounds, she lived boldly and unapologetically, inspired by role models like her aunt Dia, who strutted into family reunions in studded catsuits and stilettos, owning her curves with attitude and sass.
For years, this approach worked brilliantly. Zulekha’s life was “full of love, fun, and adventure,” and she refused to hide or let her weight define her happiness.
Wake-Up Call
Everything changed on Zulekha’s 28th birthday. Reading a sweet card from her ex-boyfriend Eric, she was struck by one particular line about letting him shower first because “the hot water’s tricky sometimes.”
The truth was far more serious—at 330 pounds, Zulekha had developed heel spurs and swollen knees that made getting out of bed an orchestrated, painful event. She needed several minutes just to get the blood flowing back to her feet and legs before she could stand and walk comfortably.
With a BMI of 46 (healthy range is 18-25), doctors warned her that her morbid obesity could cut her life expectancy in half and put her at serious risk for diabetes and heart disease. She already had osteoarthritis and high blood pressure.
Gastric Bypass Surgery
After trying virtually every diet imaginable over two decades—Jenny Craig, Slim-Fast, diet pills, Atkins, cabbage soup diets, master cleanses—Zulekha made the difficult decision to undergo Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery.
The procedure wasn’t without complications. What should have been a two-day hospital stay turned into a week in intensive care after she needed a second surgery. She left the hospital still weighing 324 pounds and feeling discouraged.
But then the magic began happening. Within a month, Zulekha was down 20 pounds and back at work. The most remarkable change wasn’t just the number on the scales—it was her relationship with food itself.
The New Reality
- Six months post-surgery: Down 80 pounds, shopping at regular stores like H&M for the first time
- One year later: 160 pounds and a size 6, constantly mistaken for a model
- Eighteen months: Settled at 165 pounds and size 8, no longer struggling to get out of bed
Career
Whilst many celebrity children coast on family connections, Zulekha was determined to forge her own path in the business world. Armed with a degree from the prestigious Michigan State University, she started building an impressive career in business analysis and entrepreneurship.
Highlights
Iman Cosmetics (Starting Point)
- Began as an accountant in her mother’s cosmetic company
- After three years of dedication, promoted to Accountant Manager in 2002
- Same year, elevated to Revenue and Demand Planning Manager
Jay Manuel Beauty
- Brand Manager and Senior Business Analyst for one year
- Responsibilities included evaluating business needs and identifying improvement opportunities
Taymark Inc.
- Buyer and Strategic Sourcing Analyst for several years
Portu Sunberg
- Inventory Analyst (2016)
- Left after eight months to pursue new opportunities
With over a decade of experience in professional marketing and business analysis, Zulekha has established herself as an experienced strategist in her own right.
Personal Life
Unlike her high-profile parents, Zulekha prefers keeping her personal life refreshingly private. She’s been married to Jayson Young since 2016, though details about their relationship remain largely out of the spotlight—exactly how they like it.
The couple has one daughter, Lavinia Rose Young, who’s already captured her grandfather Spencer’s heart. The proud granddad regularly shares adorable photos of Lavinia on social media, showing her growing up into a lovely little girl who’s already started school.
Net Worth
Zulekha’s estimated net worth sits at around $4 million, with reports suggesting an annual salary between $48,759 and $93,410. Whilst this might seem modest compared to her parents’ wealth, it represents something far more valuable—money she’s earned entirely through her own hard work and business acumen.
Physical Stats
- Height: 5 feet 6 inches (167 cm / 1.7 meters)
- Current Weight: Approximately 165 pounds (75 kg)
- Previous Weight: Peaked at 330 pounds
- Hair: Black
- Eyes: Black
Reality of Her Dramatic Weight Loss
Zulekha’s been refreshingly honest about the unexpected challenges that came with her transformation. She’s described the experience as “like becoming famous overnight—suddenly all eyes are on you.”
Positive Changes:
- No more painful mornings getting out of bed
- Increased energy and mobility
- Better overall health markers
Unexpected Challenges:
- Dealing with loose skin and body changes
- Learning to navigate increased male attention (not all of it quality)
- Adjusting to shopping in regular-size stores
- Managing people’s assumptions about her goals and identity
Perhaps most tellingly, she’s noticed personality changes too. “Stacked Zu laughed loudly and often, always the plus-size life of the party. Slender Zu, on the other hand—well, that chick can occasionally be prickly.”
Zulekha’s relationship with her legendary mother has evolved beautifully over the years. During a conversation before her surgery, Iman revealed something that put years of childhood frustration into perspective: “Your pediatrician told me that you were going to be obese when you were four years old. At four, she knew!”
This revelation helped Zulekha understand that her mother had been trying to help all along, working with limited tools and professional advice to navigate an incredibly difficult situation.
Life Lessons from Zulekha’s Journey
Zulekha’s story offers some powerful takeaways:
- Self-worth isn’t determined by a scale – She proved this at both 330 pounds and 165 pounds
- Health matters more than appearance – The decision for surgery was about mobility and longevity, not vanity
- Success comes in many forms – Building your own career is just as valid as following in famous parents’ footsteps
- Transformation is complex – Real change involves mental, physical, and emotional adjustments
- Privacy is precious – You can be proud of your journey whilst keeping personal details private
Where Is Zulekha Haywood Now?
Today, Zulekha continues working as a successful business analyst whilst raising her daughter and maintaining a relatively private lifestyle. She’s found a healthy balance between honoring her family legacy and creating her own path.
Her story serves as inspiration for anyone struggling with weight, family expectations, or the pressure to live up to others’ achievements. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is simply live authentically—whether that’s at size 26 or size 6.
