View source for Agbani Darego

{{Short description|Nigerian model and beauty queen}}
{{Infobox pageant titleholder
| name= Agbani Darego<br>{{small|[[Orders, decorations, and medals of Nigeria|MFR]]}}
| image=  Agbani Darego.jpg
| caption= Agbani Darego, Miss World 2001
| competitions= {{ubl|[[Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria#Titleholders|Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria 2001]]|(Winner)|[[Miss Universe 2001]]|(Top 10)|[[Miss World 2001]]|(Winner)|(Miss World Africa)}}
| title= {{nowrap|[[Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria#Titleholders|Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria 2001]]}}<br>[[Miss World 2001]]
| alias= A.D, Agbani Darego
| education = {{plainlist|
* [[Bereton Montessori Nursery and Primary School]]
* [[Federal Government Girls' College, Abuloma]]}}
| alma_mater = [[New York University]]
| birth_date  = {{Birth date and age|1982|12|22|df=y}}
| spouse = {{marriage|Ishaya Danjuma|2017}}
| children = 2
| birth_place= [[Lagos]], Nigeria<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thenet.ng/celebrating-agbani-darego/|title=Celebrating Agbani Darego|publisher=Nigerian Entertainment Today|access-date=December 26, 2015|author=Olamide Jasanya|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160124111004/http://thenet.ng/2012/09/celebrating-agbani-darego/|archive-date=January 24, 2016|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AB9NAQAAIAAJ&q=Agbani+Darego+born+in+Lagos|page=91|title=National Geographic Magazine|volume=202|publisher=National Geographic Society|year=2002|journal=|access-date=2021-04-17|archive-date=2021-04-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417230415/https://books.google.com/books?id=AB9NAQAAIAAJ&q=Agbani+%5D%5D|url-status=live}}</ref>
| height              = 
| eye_color= [[Brown eyes|Brown]]
| hair_color= [[Black hair|Black]]
| homepage= http://agbanidarego.com/
}}

[[Chieftain|Chief]] '''Ibiagbanidokibubo Asenite 'Agbani' Darego''', [[Orders, decorations, and medals of Nigeria|MFR]]<ref name="newswatch">{{cite news|url=http://www.newswatchngr.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3370&Itemid=48|title=Newsliners|last=Ogunbayo|first=Modupe|date=7 August 2011|work=[[Newswatch (Nigeria)|Newswatch]]|access-date=14 July 2012|location=Lagos, Nigeria|archive-date=17 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417181533/https://www.newswatchngr.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3370&Itemid=48|url-status=live}}</ref> (born 22 December 1982) is a [[Nigerians|Nigerian]] model and beauty queen who was crowned [[Miss World 2001]]. She was the first black African, and the third African without benefitting from resignations of higher-ranked contestants, and without dethronements, to win [[Miss World]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://thenet.ng/agbani-darego-graduates-from-new-york-university/|title=Agbani Darego graduates from New York University - Nigerian Entertainment Today - Nigeria's Top Website for News, Gossip, Comedy, Videos, Blogs, Events, Weddings, Nollywood, Celebs, Scoop and Games|date=2012-05-16|work=Nigerian Entertainment Today - Nigeria's Top Website for News, Gossip, Comedy, Videos, Blogs, Events, Weddings, Nollywood, Celebs, Scoop and Games|access-date=2017-08-29|language=en-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829161711/http://thenet.ng/2012/05/agbani-darego-graduates-from-new-york-university/|archive-date=2017-08-29|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Early life==
[[Abonnema]]-native Darego was born in [[Lagos]] to a family as the sixth of eight children. At age two, her family relocated to [[Port Harcourt]] where she was raised in [[D-line, Port Harcourt|D-Line]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://businessdayonline.com/2014/03/port-harcourt-the-city-of-gardens-heroes-and-stars/|title=BusinessDay Online, TV, and Podcast|language=en|access-date=2019-04-04|archive-date=2014-03-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314155657/http://businessdayonline.com/2014/03/port-harcourt-the-city-of-gardens-heroes-and-stars/|url-status=live}}</ref> Darego attended [[Bereton Montessori Nursery and Primary School]], and at ten was sent to [[boarding school]] in a bid to shield her from her mother who battled [[breast cancer]]. Her mother, Inaewo, owned a rice trading business and a clothing boutique, but died two years after her daughter's move to boarding school. Darego has spoken of how the loss prepared her for tough challenges in the future. As a teenager, Darego longed to be a model, and auditioned for the M-Net ''Face of Africa'' modelling competition despite her [[conservative]] father's wishes, but was not chosen as a finalist. Darego attended [[Federal Government Girls' College, Abuloma]].<ref>{{cite web | url =https://www.bellanaija.com/2011/01/fggc-abuloma-celebrates-one-of-their-own-miss-world-2001model-agbani-darego-receives-an-award-from-her-alma-mater/ | title =FGGC Abuloma celebrates one of their own – Miss World 2001/Model Agbani Darego receives an award from her alma mater | date =26 January 2011 | publisher =Bella Naija | access-date =2019-01-08 | archive-date =2019-01-08 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20190108200935/https://www.bellanaija.com/2011/01/fggc-abuloma-celebrates-one-of-their-own-miss-world-2001model-agbani-darego-receives-an-award-from-her-alma-mater/ | url-status =live }}</ref> Upon completing her secondary education she attended [[University of Port Harcourt]] where she studied [[Computer Science]] and Mathematics.<ref>[http://www.punchng.com/spice/personalities/i-wear-what-fits-agbani-darego/ I Wear What Fits] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107142946/http://www.punchng.com/spice/personalities/i-wear-what-fits-agbani-darego/ |date=January 7, 2014 }}</ref>

==Pageantry==
In 2001, Darego was crowned Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria. Contrary to popular belief, Darego did not replace Valerie Peterside after the latter was dethroned; Peterside had competed in rival pageant Miss Nigeria. A few months later Darego was a contestant at [[Miss Universe]], and became the first Nigerian to place among the top 10 semi-finalists, finishing seventh overall. She was the only top ten contestant to wear a modest [[one-piece swimsuit|maillot]] as opposed to a revealing [[bikini]] during the swimsuit competition.<ref>[http://www.punchng.com/spice/personalities/glamour-queens/ Glamour queens] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150122212250/http://www.punchng.com/spice/personalities/glamour-queens/ |date=January 22, 2015 }}</ref>

In November that year, she became the first Indigenous African to claim the [[Miss World]] title (Past winners [[Penelope Coelen]] and [[Anneline Kriel]], both of [[South Africa]], are of European descent, and [[Antigone Costanda]], who represented [[Egypt]] in 1954 is of Greek heritage). Darego's victory was widely welcomed in her home country, and her one-year tenure included goodwill trips and scheduled appearances on behalf of the pageant, and an [[Orders, decorations, and medals of Nigeria|MFR]].

==Modelling==
Prior to winning [[Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria|MBGN]], Darego featured in print commercials for boutique chain ''Collectables''. After Miss Universe she was invited by [[Naomi Campbell]] to participate in ''Frock 'n' Roll'', a charity fashion show in [[Barcelona]], and soon negotiated a modelling deal with [[Trump Model Management]] in America.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://nigeriaworld.com/feature/spotlight/missworld/5.html |title=Anne Titilope now Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria |access-date=2013-02-04 |archive-date=2013-10-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004231939/http://nigeriaworld.com/feature/spotlight/missworld/5.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Shortly after her reign as Miss World she was represented by [[London]] and [[Paris]] branches of Next Model Management and landed a three-year contract with [[L'Oréal]], becoming only the second Black model to accomplish this feat after [[Vanessa L. Williams|Vanessa Williams]], and was photographed by [[Annie Leibovitz]], a big name in Americans portrait photograph sphere<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://buzznigeria.com/agbani-darego-and-everything-you-must-know-about-her/|title=Agbani Darego Married, Husband, Children, Net Worth, Interesting Facts|date=2015-10-21|work=BuzzNigeria - Famous People, Celebrity Bios, Updates and Trendy News|access-date=2018-05-23|language=en-US|archive-date=2018-05-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180523173436/https://buzznigeria.com/agbani-darego-and-everything-you-must-know-about-her/|url-status=live}}</ref> for ''[[Vogue (magazine)|Vogue]]''. Other brands she has modelled for include [[Avon Products|Avon]], [[Christian Dior]], [[Sephora]], [[Target (magazine)|Target]], and [[Macy's]]. Darego has also appeared in ''[[Elle (magazine)|Elle]]'', ''[[Marie Claire]]'', ''[[Allure (magazine)|Allure]]'', ''[[Trace (magazine)|Trace]]'', ''Stitch'', ''[[Cosmopolitan (magazine)|Cosmopolitan]]'', and ''[[Essence (magazine)|Essence]]'' magazines, working with numerous designers including [[Oscar de la Renta]], [[Marc Bouwer]], [[Tommy Hillfiger]], [[Ralph Lauren]], and [[Gianfranco Ferre]].

In her homeland Darego has appeared in advertising campaigns for hair care brand Gentle Touch with model [[Oluchi Onweagba|Oluchi]], and served as the face of [[Arik Air]].<ref>[http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/agbani-darego-becomes-arik-s-brand-ambassador/94667/ Agbani Darego Becomes Arik’s Brand Ambassador] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005003451/http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/agbani-darego-becomes-arik-s-brand-ambassador/94667/ |date=October 5, 2013 }}</ref> She has also graced the covers of ''Complete Fashion'', ''Mania'', ''ThisDay Style'', ''Genevieve'', ''True Love'', and ''TW Magazine''.

==Other work==
[[File:Agbani Darego Miss World.jpg|thumb|Agbani Darego pictured by Michael Spafford at the [[House of Commons]] in 2001]]
Darego has judged numerous pageant, fashion and modelling competitions including Miss World 2014, Miss England 2002,
<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Tomorrow,+the+world;+Brainy+Miss+England+gives+lie+to+the+old+jokes.-a092211278|title=Tomorrow, the world; Brainy Miss England gives lie to the old jokes. - Free Online Library|website=www.thefreelibrary.com|access-date=2017-08-29|archive-date=2017-08-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170830010202/https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Tomorrow,+the+world;+Brainy+Miss+England+gives+lie+to+the+old+jokes.-a092211278|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://insta4likes.com/blog/miss-world-2001-recounts-how-she-experienced-the-incidents-in-nigeria.html|title=Miss World 2001 recounts how she experienced the incidents in Nigeria|access-date=2023-01-29|archive-date=2023-01-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129230706/https://insta4likes.com/blog/miss-world-2001-recounts-how-she-experienced-the-incidents-in-nigeria.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Mr. Scotland 2002,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Red-hot+prize+girls.-a083335893|title=Red-hot prize girls. - Free Online Library|website=www.thefreelibrary.com|access-date=2017-08-29|archive-date=2017-08-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170830010031/https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Red-hot+prize+girls.-a083335893|url-status=live}}</ref> and Elite Model Look Nigeria 2012 and 2014.<ref>[http://www.punchng.com/spice/society/glitz-glam-of-elite-model-look-nigeria-2012/ Glitz, glam of Elite Model Look Nigeria 2012] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121215084757/http://www.punchng.com/spice/society/glitz-glam-of-elite-model-look-nigeria-2012/ |date=December 15, 2012 }}</ref> In 2010, she launched a style and fashion reality show ''Stylogenic'' on Nigerian television, and three years later announced her [[denim]] range, ''AD by Agbani Darego'', which includes jeans, dresses, sunglasses and bags.

==Personal life==
In the aftermath of her win in 2001, Darego was awarded an [[Nigerian chieftaincy|honorary chieftaincy]] by the [[State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs|Council of Chiefs]] of [[Lagos]]. At the time of her investiture, she was one of the youngest chiefs in the country.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://answersafrica.com/agbani-darego-everything-you-must-know-about-the-world-famous-nigerian-model.html |title=What Has Agbani Darego Been Up To Since Her Reign As Miss World And Who Is Her Husband? |website=answersafrica.com |date=26 November 2015 |accessdate=November 18, 2022 |last1=Ezebuiro |first1=Peace |archive-date=24 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324100036/https://answersafrica.com/agbani-darego-everything-you-must-know-about-the-world-famous-nigerian-model.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Due to her busy work schedule, Darego left the [[University of Port Harcourt]], but after moving to [[New York City|New York]] where she was signed to Next Model Management, Ford Models, and Trump Models, she enrolled with [[New York University]] to study [[Psychology]], graduating in May 2012.

In April 2017, Darego married her longtime partner Ishaya Danjuma, son of billionaire General [[Theophilus Danjuma|Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma]], in a ceremony held in [[Marrakesh]]. Together they have a son who was born in September 2018, and welcomed another child in December 2020.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://agbanidarego.com/ Official website]

{{s-start}}
{{s-ach}}
{{succession box
| before={{flagicon|India}} [[Priyanka Chopra]]
| title=[[Miss World]]
| years=[[Miss World 2001|2001]]
| after={{flagicon|Turkey}} [[Azra Akın]]
}}
{{succession box
| before=[[Matilda Kerry]]
| title=[[Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria]]
| years=2001
| after=[[Ann Suinner]]
}}
{{s-end}}
{{Miss Universe 2001 delegates}}
{{Miss World 2001 delegates}}
{{Miss World titleholders}}
{{Big Four Pageants titleholders
|Year = 2001
|Miss Universe={{flagicon|Puerto Rico}} [[Denise Quiñones]]
|Miss World={{flagicon|Nigeria}} '''Agbani Darego'''
|Miss International={{flagicon|Poland}} [[Małgorzata Rożniecka]]
|Miss Earth={{flagicon|Denmark}} [[Catharina Svensson]]
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Darego, Agbani}}
[[Category:1982 births]]
[[Category:21st-century Nigerian businesswomen]]
[[Category:21st-century Nigerian businesspeople]]
[[Category:Beauty pageant contestants from Rivers State]]
[[Category:Ijaw people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Members of the Order of the Federal Republic]]
[[Category:Miss Universe 2001 contestants]]
[[Category:Miss World 2001 delegates]]
[[Category:Miss World winners]]
[[Category:Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria winners]]
[[Category:New York University alumni]]
[[Category:Nigerian businesspeople in fashion]]
[[Category:Nigerian female models]]
[[Category:People from Port Harcourt]]
[[Category:University of Port Harcourt alumni]]
[[Category:Danjuma family]]