Zulekha Haywood: Age, Husband, and Career of Spencer Haywood’s Daughter

When you hear the names Iman and Spencer Haywood, you might think of fashion shows, bright lights, and basketball courts. Iman is one of the world’s most loved supermodels, and Spencer is a basketball legend. But their daughter, Zulekha Haywood, has chosen a very different life.

Instead of living in the spotlight, Zulekha lives quietly. She works hard, builds her own career, and focuses on family. In this article, we’ll talk about her age, childhood, parents, career, marriage, and more.

Who Is Zulekha Haywood?

Zulekha Haywood is the daughter of Iman and Spencer Haywood. Many people know her as Spencer Haywood’s daughter, but she has made her own name, too. She is a businesswoman, an accountant, and an analyst.

Unlike her famous parents, Zulekha likes a private life. She doesn’t walk on fashion runways like her mom or play sports like her dad. Instead, she works in offices, builds her career step by step, and chooses peace over fame.

Zulekha Haywood’s Age and Early Life

Zulekha was born on July 5, 1978, in the United States. In 2025, she turned 47 years old. Her zodiac sign is Cancer, which often means a caring and determined nature.

Her childhood was different from that of most kids. At just a few months old, she was already on a magazine cover with her mom. In 1979, she appeared with Iman on the cover of Essence magazine. Growing up, she was always close to cameras, but she didn’t chase fame.

Parents: Iman and Spencer Haywood

Her mom, Iman, is a Somali-American supermodel and actress. She was one of the first Black supermodels in the world and later became a successful businesswoman. She is also known for her long marriage to the music legend David Bowie.

Her dad, Spencer Haywood, is a retired NBA star. He played for teams like the Seattle SuperSonics, New York Knicks, and Los Angeles Lakers. He also won a gold medal in the Olympics and is in the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Iman and Spencer were once a glamorous couple. They married in 1977, and a year later, Zulekha was born. But their marriage didn’t last, and in 1987, when Zulekha was just nine, they divorced.

The Custody Battle of Spencer Haywood’s Daughter

When her parents divorced, life became tough for Zulekha. Both her mom and dad wanted full custody of her. What followed was a long legal fight that went on for years.

Finally, in 1992, when Zulekha was 14, the court decided she would live with her father, Spencer Haywood. This was a big change in her life. While it was not easy, living with her dad gave her stability and helped her focus on school.

This experience shaped her childhood. It made her stronger and taught her to handle challenges. It also brought her closer to her dad, who has always spoken proudly about her.

Zulekha Haywood’s Education

Zulekha went to Mercy High School in Michigan, where she was a good student. After high school, she joined Michigan State University.

She studied Human Resource Management and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Many expected her to follow her mom into modeling or her dad into sports, but she chose business. Her education gave her the skills she needed to build a strong and independent career.

Zulekha Haywood’s Career Journey

After college, Zulekha started working at Iman Cosmetics, her mom’s beauty company. She began as an accountant, and in 2002 she was promoted to Account Manager. Her hard work and smart thinking quickly made her stand out.

Later, she worked as a Brand Analyst at Jay Manuel Beauty and also wrote and edited content for ads and magazines. She then worked at companies like Taymark Inc. and Portu Sunberg, where she handled planning and inventory.

Today, Zulekha works at McShares, Inc. in Salina, Kansas, as a Customer Relationship Specialist and Demand Analyst. She has built a solid career for herself, step by step, without depending on her parents’ fame.

Zulekha Haywood’s Husband and Marriage

In 2016, Zulekha Haywood married her longtime partner Jason Young. The wedding was private and only close family and friends were invited. Unlike her parents’ glamorous lives, she kept her marriage simple and away from the spotlight.

Zulekha and Jason’s relationship has always been low-key. They rarely appear in public, and they do not post much on social media. This shows how much Zulekha values privacy and peace in her personal life.

Zulekha Haywood’s Daughter

A year after her marriage, in 2017, Zulekha and Jason welcomed their daughter, Lavinia Rose Young. Becoming a mother was one of the happiest moments of her life.

Her father, Spencer Haywood, proudly shared the news of his granddaughter’s birth. He often posts photos of Zulekha and Lavinia, showing how much he loves being a grandfather. Today, Lavinia is growing up surrounded by family love, and Zulekha enjoys being a caring mom.

Zulekha Haywood’s Weight Loss Journey

One of the most talked-about parts of Zulekha’s life is her weight loss journey. From a young age, she struggled with obesity. She tried many diets introduced by her parents. Her mom used the “Basta” diet, which meant saying “enough” when eating too much. Her dad encouraged exercise and long training hours.

Even with all these efforts, Zulekha once weighed over 320 pounds. The weight made her life very hard. She suffered from heel pain, swollen knees, and other health problems. At times, she felt she could not keep up with the high standards set by her famous parents.

On her 28th birthday, she decided to undergo gastric bypass surgery. This was a life-changing moment. After the surgery, she lost more than 150 pounds and went down to about 165 pounds. Beyond looks, the surgery gave her back her health, confidence, and energy. Zulekha herself has said that this decision helped her live a better and happier life.

Zulekha Haywood’s Relationship with Her Parents

Zulekha’s relationship with her parents has had its ups and downs. After the custody battle, she lived with her dad, Spencer Haywood, and built a close bond with him. Spencer often shares how proud he is of his daughter and her accomplishments.

With her mom, Iman, things were more complicated. Growing up, Zulekha sometimes felt pressure because her mother was a world-famous supermodel. Still, over time, their relationship improved. When Iman later married David Bowie, Zulekha also gained a stepfather who supported her.

Today, Zulekha respects both her parents. She also shares a loving bond with her half-siblings, including Alexandria Zahra Jones, Iman and Bowie’s daughter.

Zulekha Haywood’s Net Worth and Success

Even though she comes from a famous family, Zulekha built her own career. Her estimated net worth is around $4 million. This money comes from her years of work as an accountant, analyst, and businesswoman.

She never depended only on her parents’ success. Instead, she proved herself in different companies. This makes her story inspiring, as she showed that even a child of celebrities can choose a normal career path and succeed.

Where Is Zulekha Haywood Today?

As of 2025, Zulekha Haywood is living a peaceful life in the United States. She continues to work in business and enjoys her role as a mother. She does not appear in the media often and stays away from public drama.

Her life is very different from her parents’ lives. While Iman and Spencer were always in the spotlight, Zulekha is happy staying private. She focuses on her family, her career, and her daughter Lavinia.

Final Thoughts

The story of Zulekha Haywood, the daughter of Spencer Haywood and Iman, is one of strength and independence. She was born into fame, but she never let that control her life. From facing tough childhood moments to overcoming obesity, Zulekha has shown courage and determination.

Today, she is not only Spencer Haywood’s daughter but also a successful businesswoman, a wife, and a mother. Her life reminds us that you don’t need to be in the spotlight to live a meaningful and inspiring story.