You’ve seen the photos. The razor-sharp jawline, those blue-green eyes that seem to look right through the camera lens, and that "quiet luxury" style that half the internet tries to copy every single morning. But lately, when people Google how old is bella hadid, they aren’t just looking for a number on a birth certificate. They’re trying to figure out how someone who has been "the face" of an entire generation of fashion for over a decade is still only in her late twenties.
It feels like she’s been around forever, right?
Honestly, the math almost doesn’t make sense. We’ve watched her go from "Gigi’s little sister" to the highest-paid supermodel on the planet, all while battling a chronic illness that would have sidelined most people before they even started. As of today, January 13, 2026, Bella Hadid is 29 years old. She’ll hit the big 3-0 this October, and the vibe around her 30th birthday is already starting to feel like a massive cultural shift.
Breaking Down the Timeline: How Old is Bella Hadid Actually?
Bella—or Isabella Khair Hadid, if we’re being formal—was born on October 9, 1996. She’s a Libra, which actually explains a lot if you’re into astrology (balance, beauty, a bit of a social chameleon). She grew up on a ranch in Santa Barbara, which is probably why she’s more comfortable on a horse than a red carpet, despite what the paparazzi photos suggest.
People get confused about her age because she started so young. She signed with IMG Models back in 2014 when she was just 17. By the time most of us were figuring out our college majors, she was already walking for Chanel and landing Vogue covers.
Think about that. She has been under a literal microscope for 12 years.
A Quick Look at the Years
- 1996: Born in Washington, D.C.
- 2012: Diagnosed with chronic Lyme disease at age 16.
- 2014: Moves to NYC, signs with IMG, and the "Bella Era" begins.
- 2016: Named "Model of the Year" at age 20.
- 2022: Named "Model of the Year" (again!) by the British Fashion Council at 26.
- 2024: Launches her fragrance brand, Orebella, and pivots toward wellness.
- 2026: Currently 29, starring in Ryan Murphy's The Beauty, and basically redefining what "retirement" looks like for a supermodel.
The "Retirement" That Wasn't Really a Retirement
There was a huge rumor floating around a while back that Bella was quitting the industry. You probably saw the headlines. She moved to Texas. She started dating a cowboy (Adan Banuelo). She stopped showing up at every single Fashion Week party.
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But here’s the thing: she didn't quit. She just grew up.
When you ask how old is bella hadid in 2026, you're looking at a woman who realized that walking 50 runways a season was literally killing her. She’s been incredibly open about her struggle with Lyme disease—which she’s had since she was 16. Imagine trying to look "perfect" and "effortless" while your joints feel like they’re filled with glass and your brain is in a fog.
She took a massive step back to focus on her health and her business, Orebella. And honestly? It worked. The brand is huge now. She just launched her fifth fragrance, Eternal Roots, in late 2025, and it’s actually good—not just "celebrity perfume" good, but legit, skin-nourishing, essential-oil-based good. She’s 29 and she’s already a successful CEO.
The 2026 Comeback: From the Runway to the Screen
If you thought she was staying on that ranch in Texas forever, you haven't been paying attention. Bella is currently making waves for her acting debut. She’s starring in Ryan Murphy’s new FX series The Beauty, which just premiered this month.
She’s playing a character named "The Beauty" (fitting, obviously), but it’s a gritty, provocative thriller. It’s a huge move. Most models try to act and... well, it doesn't always go great. But early reviews are saying she’s actually got the chops. She’s sharing the screen with heavyweights like Evan Peters and Sarah Paulson.
At 29, she’s essentially starting a whole second career.
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And she hasn't totally left fashion behind, either. Just last week, she fronted the Saint Laurent Spring 2026 campaign. She looks different now—more grounded, more "herself." She recently dyed her hair a "frosty blonde" for the new year, and it’s already the most requested color in salons.
Why We Are So Obsessed With Her Age
There is this weird thing we do with female celebrities where we act like they have an expiration date. Especially models. For a long time, the industry rule was: if you aren't a superstar by 21, you're done. And if you’re still working at 30, you’re a "legend" (which is basically code for "old").
Bella is breaking that. She is more relevant at 29 than she was at 19.
She’s part of a group—including her sister Gigi, Kendall Jenner, and Hailey Bieber—that has managed to stay on top much longer than the "90s Supers" did in some ways, mostly because of social media. We feel like we know her. We’ve seen her hospital photos from Lyme treatments, we’ve seen her cry about her mental health, and we’ve seen her geek out over horses.
That vulnerability makes her "age" feel less like a statistic and more like a journey we’re all watching.
Real Talk on the "Work"
We can't talk about Bella’s age and looks without mentioning the elephant in the room: cosmetic procedures. Bella has admitted to a nose job at 14 (which she says she regrets), but the rest is a constant debate on TikTok. Whether it’s "pony-tail lifts," "fox eyes," or just incredible aging and makeup, the "Bella Hadid look" has defined the aesthetic of the 2020s.
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But at 29, she seems to be leaning into a more natural, "wellness-focused" vibe. The heavy fillers and "Instagram face" looks are fading, replaced by the "Orebella glow."
What’s Next for Bella?
So, she’s 29. She’s a model, an actress, a business mogul, and a chronic illness advocate. What do you do for an encore?
Most industry insiders expect her 30th year to be her biggest yet. There are rumors of a lifestyle book and potentially more acting roles if The Beauty continues to be a hit. She’s also become a major voice for humanitarian causes, specifically around her Palestinian heritage and mental health awareness.
She isn't just "showing up" anymore. She’s choosing where she wants to be.
Actionable Takeaways from Bella’s Career Path
Even if you aren't a world-famous supermodel, there’s a lot to learn from how Bella has handled her twenties:
- Pivot when you need to. She realized the traditional modeling path was unsustainable for her health and shifted to entrepreneurship and acting. Don't be afraid to change lanes.
- Health is the only real wealth. It sounds cheesy, but her "retirement" to Texas to treat her Lyme disease saved her career in the long run. You can't perform if you're empty.
- Own your story. Instead of hiding her struggles, she shared them. That’s what turned her from a "pretty face" into a person people actually care about.
- Invest in your interests. Orebella succeeded because she actually cares about scent and alchemy, not just because she’s famous.
If you’re tracking her career, keep an eye on the 2026 awards season. If The Beauty lands her an Emmy nomination, the conversation about how old is bella hadid will shift from "the model's age" to "the actress's range."
She’s just getting started.
If you want to stay updated on her latest projects, you should check out the official Orebella site or follow her acting credits on FX. The transition from model to mogul is nearly complete, and honestly, 30 looks like it’s going to be her best year yet.