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11 Famous People with Vitiligo Who Embody Self-Confidence

Photograph of michael jackson dancing and inset photo of MJ with vitiligo condition
Samyak Lalit
Samyak Lalit | October 11, 2021 (Last update: October 22, 2021)

Samyak Lalit is an author and disability rights activist. He is a polio survivor and the founder of projects like Kavita Kosh, Gadya Kosh, TechWelkin, WeCapable, Dashamlav and Viklangta Dot Com. Website: www.lalitkumar.in

Vitiligo (also known as Leukoderma) may not be painful or life-threatening, but the social stigma attached to it makes life a struggle for those who are affected. This condition causes light-color patches on face and other parts of the body. This  may have a devastating impact on the self-confidence of the affected person. But, there are many people who do not let the social stigma bog down their self-esteem. In this article, we are sharing the names of a few people who accepted and embraced Vitiligo and did not shy away from public life. That, of course, made them famous! So, these are some of the famous people with Vitiligo.

1. Winnie Harlow

Being a fashion model who never tries to hide her skin condition under makeup, Winnie Harlow deserves to be the first name on the list. Winnie Harlow is considered a face of Persons with Vitiligo. Winnie Harlow says that Vitiligo is just another difference like long hair, blonde hair, white skin, short height, etc. She is a top model who has walked ramps all across the world.

photograph of winnie harlow

2. Michael Jackson

One of the most famous people with Vitiligo was the King of Pop – Michael Jackson. He stated this fact in an interview in 1993 with Oprah Winfrey on her show. According to that interview, the white patches started appearing on MJ’s skin when he was around 24 years old. In the beginning, he used make-up to hide the spots. Later, he used treatment to de-pigment his entire body so that his skin does not look patchy.

Photograph of michael jackson dancing and inset photo of MJ with vitiligo condition

3. Krizz Kaliko

Krizz Kaliko is a famous American rapper, singer and song writer. He is affected with Vitiligo and he doesn’t hide the fact. In fact, his debut album was named Vitiligo which gave him recognition.

4. Edouard Philippe

French politician Edouard Philippe who served as Prime Minister of France from 2017 to 2020 is affected with Vitiligo. A part of his beard on his left cheek turned white and people started raising questions. He then wrote a piece for the newspaper stating that the reason for his bleached beard is Vitiligo.

photograph of edouard philippe

5. Chandrababu Naidu

An Indian politician who served as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh in India from 2014 to 2019 is among the prominent figures with Vitiligo. He is a very active person in the public sphere and is not bothered about his Vitiligo-affected face.

photograph of chandrababu naidu

6. Palanisamy Sathasivam

P. Sathasivam is an Indian judge. He held the post of Chief Justice of India from 19 July 2013 to 26 April 2014.

photograph of palanisamy sathasivam with vitiligo patches visible

7. Asifa Bhutto Zardari

She is the brand ambassador of the anti-polio vaccination campaign in Pakistan and has Vitiligo patches on her face. Being the daughter of Late Benazir Bhutto, former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Asifa was always in public eyes. But, this does not seem to affect her self-esteem in any way.

photograph of asifa bhutto zardari

8. Dean Edwards

Chef Dean Edwards is a celebrity chef who has been regularly on television since 2009. He never used make-up to hide his Vitiligo patches. In fact, he uses public platforms to talk and raise awareness about the disorder. He even uses a blog to spread the awareness about Vitiligo.

Photograph of Dean Edwards showing his hands with vitiligo patches

9. Laura Gregory

The British model got initial patches when she was 12-years old. That’s the age when the girls generally become beauty conscious and Laura Gregory was being bullied and body-shamed for Vitiligo. She chose to enter beauty pageants and the fashion industry to show that she is beautiful even with her skin condition rather than being sad or getting depressed.

10. Gautam Singhania

Managing Director of Raymond Group, Gautam Singhania, is a famous Indian Industrialist. He has extensive Vitiligo which is clearly visible. But, Singhania has not let the condition dampen his self-confidence.

11. Godawari Dutta

Padhm Shri awardee Godawari Dutta is a well-known Madhubani artist. She is the founder of Mithila Kala Vikas Samiti, an NGO for promoting Mithila arts and for making women self-dependent. It is important to note that Godawari Dutta was born in the mid-1920s in a small village in Bihar, India. She had to fight many social stigmas due to her Vitiligo skin-condition but she did not let it dampen her confidence.

List of Famous People with Vitiligo

NameNationalityConditionProfessionClaim to Fame
Winnie HarlowJamaican-CanadianVitiligoModelOne of the top models. Doesn’t try to hide her skin condition
Michael JacksonAmericanVitiligoSinger, DancerKing of pop music. A singing sensation and a dance legend.
Krizz KalikoAmericanVitiligoSingerA famous rapper
Edouard PhilippeFrenchVitiligoPoliticianFormer Prime Minister of France
Chandrababu NaiduIndianVitiligoPoliticianFormer Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, India
Palanisamy SathasivamIndianVitiligoJudgeFormer Chief Justice of India
Asifa Bhutto ZardariPakistaniVitiligoActivistBrand ambassador of the anti-polio vaccination campaign in Pakistan
Dean EdwardsBritishVitiligoChefTV Personality
Laura GregoryBritishVitiligoModel
Gautam SinghaniaIndianVitiligoBusinessmanManaging Director of Raymond Group
Godawari DuttaIndianVitiligoMadhubani ArtistAwarded Padma Shri
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"11 Famous People with Vitiligo Who Embody Self-Confidence." Wecapable.com. Web. March 28, 2024. <https://wecapable.com/famous-people-with-vitiligo/>

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5 responses to “11 Famous People with Vitiligo Who Embody Self-Confidence”

  1. Avatar Anupama says:

    Wonderful article.
    So well compiled!!

  2. Avatar Patricia Jo York says:

    We really should stop disrespecting people for our differences! Our differences should be bringing us together. Every man woman and child is beautiful in their own way.

  3. Avatar R Khan says:

    My daughter noticed de very slight pigmentation on my face on 1st February 2023 and I booked an appointment with my GP and he said this is fungal infection and prescribed me selenium sulfide shampoo which didn’t work when I was seen by another doctor she said that it is vitiligo which made me depressed but after I read about these famous people it decreased my depression and encouraged me to be strong.
    Thanks for posting these great information which will encourage more people effected by vitiligo.
    Kindest regards, RK

    • Lalit Kumar Lalit Kumar says:

      We should carry ourselves with confidence — physical appearance doesn’t matter. I am glad that this article helped you.

  4. Avatar Abrar Ahmed says:

    I got milky white tiny spot on the left side of my belly.
    I had it examined by a well known dermatologist. He examined the patch by looking at it through a magnifying glass and declared that it is not vitiligo.
    Should I go for further clinical tests to confirm it?

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