Jessica Kahawaty: From Miss World Australia to Global Entrepreneur, Humanitarian and Cultural Icon

NewsDipOctober 19, 2025

Table of Contents

Who Is Jessica Kahawaty?

Jessica Kahawaty is a Lebanese-Australian model, entrepreneur, philanthropist and former beauty pageant titleholder who has successfully transitioned from the world of international pageantry into global business, media and humanitarian leadership. Best known for winning Miss World Australia 2012 and securing Second Runner-Up at Miss World 2012, Jessica Kahawaty has built a multifaceted career spanning fashion, television, food entrepreneurship and global charity work.

Her journey reflects more than beauty or celebrity status; it is a story of education, cultural identity, resilience and purpose-driven leadership. Today, Jessica Kahawaty is widely recognised not only for her modelling achievements but also as the Founder and CEO of Mama Rita, Co-Founder of Kahawaty Jewels, and an influential humanitarian voice working closely with UNICEF in the Middle East and beyond.

Early Life and Background

Jessica Kahawaty’s Birth, Family and Heritage

Jessica Michelle Kahawaty was born on 12 September 1988 in Sydney, Australia. She comes from a proud Lebanese-Australian family, deeply rooted in cultural values, education and community service.

Parents: Rita Kahawaty and John Kahawaty
Sibling: Julien Kahawaty (brother)
Nationality: Australian
Ethnicity: Lebanese-Australian

Her upbringing played a critical role in shaping her identity, particularly her strong sense of family, humanitarian responsibility and appreciation for cultural heritage. Her mother, Rita Kahawaty, later became the inspiration behind Jessica’s successful food brand, Mama Rita.

Jessica Kahawaty Age and Physical Profile

As of 2026, Jessica Kahawaty is 37 years old, having been born on 12 September 1988.

Physical Attributes

Height: 1.75 metres
Eye colour: Dark brown

Her striking appearance and confident presence contributed significantly to her success in international modelling and beauty pageants, but her career has since evolved far beyond aesthetics.

Education: Academic Foundation Behind the Public Figure

Jessica Kahawaty’s career is underpinned by strong academic credentials, reflecting her commitment to intellectual growth alongside professional success.

University Education

She studied at the University of Technology Sydney, completing:

Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting and Finance

Her academic background in Human Rights Law and Business Finance has strongly influenced her work in humanitarian advocacy, entrepreneurship and leadership roles with international organisations.

Jessica Kahawaty Miss Lebanon and Pageant Journey

Early Pageant Titles

Jessica Kahawaty’s pageant career began well before her global recognition, particularly within the Lebanese diaspora community.

Her key titles include:

Miss Lebanon Australia 2007
Miss Lebanon Emigrant 2008
Miss Lebanon International 2008

These early achievements established her as a prominent figure representing Lebanese heritage internationally and opened doors to larger global competitions.

Miss World Australia 2012 and International Recognition

Winning Miss World Australia

In 2012, Jessica Kahawaty won Miss World Australia, a landmark achievement that elevated her to international prominence.

Miss World 2012: Global Success

Later that year, she represented Australia at Miss World 2012, held in Ordos City, Inner Mongolia, China, where she achieved the prestigious position of Second Runner-Up.

This accomplishment placed her among the top three contestants worldwide and cemented her reputation as one of Australia’s most successful Miss World representatives.

Television and Media Career

Project Runway Middle East

Following her pageant success, Jessica Kahawaty expanded into television, becoming the Host of Project Runway Middle East, which aired in September 2016 on MBC 4. This role strengthened her profile across the Middle East and showcased her ability to connect fashion, media and regional culture.

International Modelling and Brand Ambassadorship

Luxury Brand Collaborations

Jessica Kahawaty has worked as an international model and brand ambassador since 2014, collaborating with some of the world’s most prestigious luxury and fashion brands.

Her portfolio includes partnerships with:

Breitling Watches
Louis Vuitton
Tom Ford
Christian Dior Beauty
Carolina Herrera
Michael Kors
Tiffany & Co.
Wella
Inter Milan (international sports campaign)

Through these collaborations, she has positioned herself as a global style figure while using her platform to highlight social and humanitarian causes.

Entrepreneurship: Mama Rita and Kahawaty Jewels

Founder and CEO of Mama Rita

In September 2020, Jessica Kahawaty founded Mama Rita, a Dubai-based food and beverage brand inspired by her mother’s home cooking. Built as an asset-light digital native vertical brand, Mama Rita offers Arabic and international comfort food across Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

The brand’s philosophy, “Feeding the world as a mother would,” reflects Jessica’s emphasis on authenticity, health, inclusivity and emotional connection to food. Mama Rita has rapidly grown across the Middle East and is positioned for global expansion.

Co-Founder of Kahawaty Jewels

In 2025, she co-founded Kahawaty Jewels, serving as Founder and Creative Director. The brand reflects elegance, cultural heritage and modern luxury, further diversifying her entrepreneurial portfolio.

Humanitarian Work and UNICEF Leadership

Founder of the Leadership Circle with UNICEF

Jessica Kahawaty plays a significant role in humanitarian advocacy as the Founder of the Leadership Circle with UNICEF in the Gulf region. In this capacity, she works closely with senior UNICEF leadership to support children’s rights, education and emergency relief initiatives.

Her contributions include:

Facilitating high-level partnerships and fundraising
Advising UNICEF executives on creative campaigns
Supporting humanitarian missions and field visits

Global Humanitarian Missions

Between 2017 and 2019, Jessica completed multiple humanitarian trips with the United Nations, including:

Zaatari Syrian refugee camp in Jordan
Rohingya refugee crisis response in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh

She was later invited to speak at the United Nations in New York, reinforcing her standing as a credible humanitarian advocate rather than a symbolic ambassador.

Jessica Kahawaty Husband and Personal Life

Despite public curiosity, Jessica Kahawaty does not have a husband and is not publicly known to be married. She has consistently kept her romantic life private, and there are no verified records of marriage or engagement.

Focus on Career and Purpose

Her public narrative focuses strongly on entrepreneurship, philanthropy, family and personal growth rather than relationships, reflecting a deliberate boundary between public influence and private life.

Jessica Kahawaty Brother and Family Bond

Jessica Kahawaty has one known sibling, her brother Julien Kahawaty. She has publicly expressed deep affection and respect for him, often highlighting their close family bond.

Her social media posts about Julien consistently emphasise sibling support, family values and gratitude, reinforcing the importance of family in her personal and professional life.

Awards and Recognition

Young Achiever Award

In 2013, Jessica Kahawaty received the Young Achiever Award from the Australian and Lebanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, recognising her contributions to leadership, representation and community impact at a young age.

Quick Info

Field	Details
Full Name	Jessica Michelle Kahawaty
Date of Birth	12 September 1988
Age	37 years (as of 2026)
Birthplace	Sydney, Australia
Nationality	Australian
Ethnicity	Lebanese-Australian
Height	1.75 m
Eye Colour	Dark Brown
Education	LLB (Law), BBA (Accounting & Finance), University of Technology Sydney
Profession	Entrepreneur, Model, Philanthropist
Famous For	Miss World Australia 2012
Major Pageant Titles	Miss Lebanon Australia 2007, Miss Lebanon Emigrant 2008, Miss World Australia 2012
Miss World Result	Second Runner-Up (2012)
Business Ventures	Founder & CEO of Mama Rita, Co-Founder of Kahawaty Jewels
Television Role	Host, Project Runway Middle East (2016)
Humanitarian Work	Founder, UNICEF Leadership Circle (Gulf)
Marital Status	Unmarried
Brother	Julien Kahawaty
Parents	Rita Kahawaty, John Kahawaty
Current Residence	Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Conclusion

Jessica Kahawaty represents a modern model of success that transcends traditional celebrity boundaries. From Miss Lebanon titles and Miss World Australia 2012 to global entrepreneurship, humanitarian leadership and cultural advocacy, her career reflects ambition grounded in values.

At 37 years old, Jessica Kahawaty continues to expand her influence across business, fashion and philanthropy while maintaining authenticity, education and purpose at the core of her journey. Her story is not only inspirational but strategically relevant in a world increasingly shaped by socially responsible leadership and global entrepreneurship.

FAQs

1: Who is Jessica Kahawaty?

Jessica Kahawaty is a Lebanese-Australian model, entrepreneur and humanitarian. She is best known for winning Miss World Australia 2012 and for founding the food brand Mama Rita in Dubai.

2: How old is Jessica Kahawaty?

Jessica Kahawaty was born on 12 September 1988. As of 2026, Jessica Kahawaty is 37 years old.

3: Is Jessica Kahawaty married?

No, Jessica Kahawaty does not have a husband and is not publicly known to be married. She keeps her personal and romantic life private.

4: Was Jessica Kahawaty Miss Australia 2012?

Her official title is Miss World Australia 2012, not Miss Australia. She represented Australia at Miss World 2012 and placed Second Runner-Up globally.