Distinguished is level 3 of 4 in the South Sudan Hall of Fame: sustained excellence over a career, widely honoured at home. See how the levels work.
Why they are here
She fled the Sudanese civil war as a child, became one of the most recognisable models in the world, and changed what the fashion industry was willing to put on a cover.
Born in Wau in April 1977, Wek's family escaped the civil war to Britain in 1991. She began modelling at eighteen in 1995 and became an international name at a time when the industry's idea of beauty was considerably narrower than it is now.
She has worked with UNHCR on refugee issues and returned to South Sudan in 2012.
She has worked with UNHCR on refugee issues and returned to South Sudan in 2012.
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