Ajak Deng was born on December 7, 1989, in Tonj, South Sudan. She is a South Sudanese-Australian fashion model known for walking runways for Valentino, Dior, and Louis Vuitton. Deng has built her career on both high fashion credentials and outspoken advocacy for representation.
Who is Ajak Deng?
Ajak Deng is a South Sudanese-Australian model who rose from refugee beginnings to international runways. She debuted at Melbourne Spring Fashion Week in 2008, launching a career that soon carried her to New York and Paris.
Her early campaigns included United Colors of Benetton and runway spots for Valentino, Lanvin, Givenchy, and Chloé.
She later became known for speaking candidly about racism and colorism within the fashion industry. In February 2016, Deng announced on Instagram that she was leaving modeling, though she later returned to the industry.
Early Life of Ajak Deng
Deng was born in what is now South Sudan and grew up with four brothers and three sisters. Civil war forced her family to flee to a refugee camp in Kenya.
Her mother died of malaria when Deng was 11 years old.
Following that loss, Deng became the guardian of her seven siblings, including a six-month-old baby sister. In 2005, the family resettled in Melbourne, Australia, where Deng was later scouted while still in high school.
Ajak Deng Age
Ajak Deng is 38 years old as of July 13, 2026, born on December 7, 1989. Her zodiac sign is Sagittarius.
She has continued modeling and speaking on industry panels well into her late 30s, following her return to fashion after a multi-year break.
Ajak Deng Ethnicity and Nationality
Deng holds South Sudanese-Australian nationality. She was born in South Sudan and has lived in Australia since her family resettled there in 2005.
She has kept her religious beliefs private throughout her career.
Ajak Deng Height and Weight
Ajak Deng stands at 5 feet 11 inches, or approximately 1.80 meters. Her exact weight has not been publicly confirmed.
Her height became a key asset early in her career, helping her land runway bookings soon after she was scouted in Melbourne.
Ajak Deng Career
Deng signed with FRM Model Management in 2008 after being scouted in Melbourne. Her debut at Melbourne Spring Fashion Week that year quickly led to international bookings.
She went on to walk for Valentino, Lanvin, Givenchy, Chloé, Maison Martin Margiela, Dior, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Oscar de la Renta, Alexander Wang, and Marc by Marc Jacobs.
Deng also modeled for Calvin Klein, Louis Vuitton, Kenzo, Rick Owens, and Thom Browne over the course of her career. She auditioned for a role as a Bond girl but was reportedly told she was “too pretty” for the part.
In February 2016, Deng announced via Instagram that she was quitting the fashion industry, citing frustration with how she was treated. She later returned to modeling, walking shows again in subsequent years.
Since 2018, Deng has been one of the faces of Fenty Beauty, Rihanna’s cosmetics brand known for its wide shade range. She also appeared in the 2016 short film Sophie: A Story of Discovery, playing the role of Sophie.
Deng has continued to model and speak publicly about representation in fashion through 2025, appearing in industry features highlighting South Sudanese models.
Ajak Deng Net Worth
Ajak Deng’s estimated net worth is $2 million as of 2026. Her income comes primarily from runway show fees, modeling agency contracts, and her ongoing work with Fenty Beauty.
Ajak Deng Social Media
Ajak Deng is active on Instagram under the handle @ajakdengcom, where she shares updates from her modeling career.
She has used her platform in the past to speak candidly about her experiences in the fashion industry.
The Bottom Line
Ajak Deng built an international modeling career after her 2008 debut at Melbourne Spring Fashion Week, walking for Valentino, Dior, and Louis Vuitton.
She survived civil war and the loss of her mother as a child, later becoming guardian to her seven siblings before her family resettled in Australia. Her outspoken stance on racism in fashion led her to briefly leave the industry in 2016.
Since 2018, Deng has represented Fenty Beauty, and she remains an active voice for South Sudanese representation in fashion today. We hope you enjoyed reading about Ajak Deng. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!