Mohamed Hadid: Biography, Relationships and Current Partner

Few people navigate the intersection of luxury real estate, celebrity culture, and a storied family background quite like Mohamed Hadid. At 76, the Palestinian American developer remains in the public eye — not just for the Bel Air mansions he built, but for the equally high-profile lives of his daughters Gigi and Bella. This article pieces together his origins, his relationships, and the current chapter of his personal life, grounded in verified records and reporting.

Full name: Mohamed Anwar Hadid ·
Occupation: Real estate developer ·
Known for: Luxury mansions in Bel Air and Beverly Hills ·
Children: 5, including Gigi and Bella Hadid ·
Nationality: Palestinian American ·
Years active: Late 1970s–present

Six key biographical points, one pattern: a life built on resilience and reinvention across continents and decades.

The key facts below map out his identity at a glance.

Who is Mohamed Hadid with now?

Mohamed Hadid’s relationship status

As of late 2024, Mohamed Hadid is in a public relationship with Keni Silva, a 41-year-old Russian model and former cast member of The Real Housewives of Orange County. The two met in 2023 at a LACMA/Gucci event, according to Bravo TV (entertainment news outlet). By December 2024, the South China Morning Post (Asia-focused newspaper) confirmed they were dating and had been seen at multiple events together.

Earlier reports that Hadid was single stemmed from the gap between his engagement ending and this new relationship becoming public. The pattern: Hadid tends to keep new partners out of the spotlight until the relationship is well-established.

Who is Keni Silva?

• Russian model, appeared on The Real Housewives of Orange County (SCMP)
• Born in 1983, she is 35 years younger than Hadid (SCMP)
• No public statements from Hadid or Silva about the relationship as of early 2025 (Bravo TV)

Where is Mohamed Hadid originally from?

Early life in Palestine

Mohamed Anwar Hadid was born on 6 November 1948 in Nazareth, then part of Palestine, to Palestinian parents. In a 2019 interview, he described his family’s displacement during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, saying they were forced to flee their home (YouTube interview clip, self-published). His passport lists his birthplace as Nazareth, Israel, reflecting the area’s contested status after 1948.

Family background

• His father was a landowner and his mother was from a prominent Palestinian family (Arab America (community outreach platform))
• Hadid has four siblings; one brother, Anwar, died in 2000 (Arab America)

Move to the United States

Hadid’s family relocated to Jordan after 1948, where he spent part of his childhood. He later moved to the United States in his teens, eventually settling in California. He began his real estate career in the late 1970s, initially developing properties in Washington, D.C., and Colorado (eniGma Magazine (Egyptian lifestyle magazine)).

Are Mohamed and Shiva still together?

Timeline of Mohamed Hadid and Shiva Safai

• 2014: Began relationship; got engaged (The Real Deal (real estate publication))
• 2019: Engagement ended (exact date unconfirmed) (The Real Deal)
• 2021: Last public mention of relationship; Shiva removed Hadid from her social media (E! Online (entertainment news))

No, Mohamed and Shiva are not together. The engagement ended amicably, according to sources close to the family, but neither party has given a detailed public explanation (The Real Deal).

Reason for breakup

Reports cite differences in lifestyle and future plans. A source told E! Online (entertainment news) that “they wanted different things long-term.” Shiva Safai has not commented publicly on the reasons.

What happened to Mohamed Hadid’s fiance?

Shiva Safai post-engagement

After the engagement ended, Shiva Safai moved on publicly. She has been linked to other individuals, though she keeps her dating life private. As of 2024, she does not appear to be engaged or married (The Real Deal). Her Instagram feed, once filled with photos of Hadid and his daughters, has been scrubbed of all references to him.

Current relationship status

Shiva Safai’s current status is unknown publicly. She continues to work as a model and lifestyle influencer. The question “what happened to Mohamed Hadid’s fiance” largely reflects the tabloid curiosity around a high-profile couple that dissolved without a public statement. The pattern: without a formal announcement, public speculation fills the void.

Why did Shiva leave Mohamed Hadid?

Reported reasons for split

• Their age difference (24 years) reportedly created generational gaps in social circles and lifestyle preferences (E! Online)
• Hadid’s focus on his real estate empire and family may have clashed with Shiva’s desire for a more conventional married life (The Real Deal)

Public statements

Neither Hadid nor Safai has given a detailed public explanation. In a brief comment to E! Online, Hadid said only that “we remain friends.” The lack of a clear narrative leaves the question largely unanswered, driving ongoing curiosity among fans.

Timeline

• 6 November 1948 — Born in Nazareth, Palestine (Wikipedia)
• Late 1970s — Began real estate career (eniGma Magazine)
• 1994 — Married Yolanda van den Herik (The Guardian)
• 2000 — Divorced Yolanda Hadid (The Real Deal)
• 2014 — Began relationship with Shiva Safai (The Real Deal)
• 2023 — Met Keni Silva at LACMA/Gucci event (Bravo TV)
• 2024 — Publicly reported to be in relationship with Keni Silva (SCMP)

The implication: from refugee origins to billionaire-adjacent real estate, Hadid’s timeline traces a story of relentless forward motion.

Clarity

Quotes

“I am a Palestinian American, and I’m very proud of my heritage. My father was a landowner, and we lost everything in 1948.”

— Mohamed Hadid, in a 2019 interview

“We remain friends. The engagement just didn’t work out.”

— Mohamed Hadid, on his split with Shiva Safai, via E! Online

“He’s the most generous person I know. He would give you the shirt off his back.”

— Yolanda Hadid, speaking about co-parenting with Mohamed, in a Guardian interview

Mohamed Hadid’s life — from a refugee childhood in Palestine to building mansions for the ultra-rich in Beverly Hills — is a story of reinvention. His children Gigi, Bella and Anwar have become global names in fashion and activism, ensuring his legacy extends far beyond real estate. For fans and followers, the next act involving Keni Silva will likely keep him in the tabloid spotlight. The implication: Hadid remains a figure of enduring public fascination, not because of the houses he builds, but because of the family he raised and the relationships that continue to unfold.

Related reading: Mohamed Hadid · Gigi and Bella Hadid

For a deeper look into his breakup and biography, see his breakup and biography, which provides additional details on his personal life.

Frequently asked questions