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Anjali Lama Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated October 3, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth1985

Age36 Years (as of 2021)

BirthplaceNuwakot District, Bagmati Province, Nepal

ProfessionModel, LGBTIQA+ activist

NationalityNepalese

Marital statusUnmarried

FamilyFather - Suvan Singh Tamang; Mother - name not known; Siblings - six; Sister - Neha Waiba

Anjali Lama Biography

Anjali Lama is a Nepalese model and LGBTIQA+ activist known for breaking barriers in South Asian fashion. Born in Nuwakot, Nepal, she rose from difficult,,

Early life and background

Anjali Lama was born in 1985 in the Nuwakot District of what is now Bagmati Province, Nepal. Raised in a large family with six siblings, her father worked as a farmer. She completed her schooling in 2003 and later moved to Kathmandu to continue her education and seek new opportunities.

During her childhood and school years she stood out for feminine interests and comportment, which led to teasing by classmates. A television program and encounters with the local transgender community helped her recognize and accept her gender identity. When she disclosed her identity to her parents in 2005, they reacted negatively, and Lama subsequently cut ties and moved out to live independently.

Career

After leaving home, Lama began presenting herself as a woman and pursued gender-affirming medical care, undergoing partial sex reassignment surgery in 2009. Encouraged by friends who thought she had a model’s physique, she trained at a local modeling agency and started auditioning for projects. Early opportunities were limited and she faced rejections tied to her transgender identity.

Her first notable recognition came in 2007 when she won the title of Miss Charming in a pageant for transgender women. She also appeared on the cover of Voice of Women magazine in 2009, but widespread industry acceptance took more time.

Lama persisted with training and refinement of her runway technique. After trying out for the Lakme Fashion Week multiple times, she secured a place in the 2017 season and became the first transgender woman to walk that event, opening a path for greater visibility in South Asian fashion. At Lakme she walked for designer Monisha Jaising and credited other models for helping her navigate the event, including with language and backstage directions.

Following that breakthrough, Lama worked with several established designers and brands. She has walked for names such as Sabyasachi and collaborated with designers including Amit Aggarwal, Anita Dongre, Tarun Tahiliani and Gaurav Gupta. She also appeared on magazine covers, including Elle and GQ India, and featured in campaigns for international labels. In 2019 she was part of a Calvin Klein campaign shot in Phuket, which included women from multiple countries. The same year she won “Model of the Year” honors at the Vogue Beauty Awards and the Grazia Millennial Awards.

Lama has participated in branded video projects and campaigns that highlight personal stories, including a Levi’s video under the Shape My World series in which she shared her journey into modeling. She has been featured in Cosmopolitan and appeared on a business arts list highlighting 100 people to watch.

Public profile

Anjali Lama is outspoken about the challenges transgender people face in South Asia, particularly in gaining employment, housing and social acceptance. She has described instances of rejection by agents and brokers as well as the barriers of language and cultural difference when working in India. Lama emphasizes hard work, resilience and careful choice of supportive colleagues as part of her approach to success.

Beyond fashion, she is visible as an LGBTIQA+ activist and has been connected with advocacy organizations that assist transgender people. In 2014 she was the subject of a documentary titled “Anjali: Living Inside Someone Else’s Skin,” which chronicled her desire to live authentically.

She practices yoga and shares images of her practice, underscoring a focus on fitness and wellbeing as part of her public image. Lama has spoken about how modeling expanded her life—providing travel, creative expression and the opportunity to wear notable designers—and has said she does not intend to retire soon. She has advocated for LGBTQ education for children in South Asia and for broader acceptance within the region.

Latest updates

Highlights in recent years include the Calvin Klein campaign in 2019, magazine cover appearances, and industry awards that recognized her work as a model. She continues to model, speak publicly about LGBTQ issues and remain active in projects that combine fashion and advocacy.

Anjali Lama’s story is one of persistence: from a remote district in Nepal to prominent international campaigns and high-profile runways, she has used visibility in fashion to advance both her career and the broader cause of transgender inclusion.
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Recent Work

Calvin Klein campaign

Featured in a global campaign shot in Phuket as one of several women representing the brand (2019).

2019
Levi's ‘Shape My World’ video

Shared her personal story of becoming a model in a branded video.

2019
Lakme Fashion Week runway

Became the first transgender woman to walk Lakme Fashion Week, walking for Monisha Jaising (2017).

2017
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Career Highlights

  1. Won Miss Charming (transgender pageant) in 2007
  2. First transgender woman to walk Lakme Fashion Week (2017)
  3. Featured in Calvin Klein campaign (2019)
  4. Model of the Year at Vogue Beauty Awards and Grazia Millennial Award (2019)
  5. Appeared on covers of Elle and GQ India
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Anjali Lama born?

1985

What is Anjali Lama known for?

Model, LGBTIQA+ activist

What is Anjali Lama’s marital status?

Unmarried