Fola Francis Biography, Wiki, Age, Parents, Height, Death Cause, Obituary & More
Fola Francis was a Nigerian transgender model, LGBTQIA+ activist, and entrepreneur who made history as the first Nigerian transperson to walk the Lagos Fashion Week in 2022. She was also a prominent figure in the Lagos ballroom scene, where she mentored and supported many young queer people.
She died on December 20, 2023, at the age of 27, after drowning on a visit to a beach in Lagos, Nigeria. Her death sparked an outpouring of grief and tributes from her fans, friends, and fellow activists, who remembered her as a trailblazer, a role model, and a friend.
Fola Francis Wiki/Bio
| Name | Fola Francis |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Unknown |
| Born | 1996 |
| Age | 27 |
| Died | December 20, 2023 |
| Cause of death | Drowning |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Ethnicity | Yoruba |
| Religion | Unknown |
| Occupation | Model, activist, entrepreneur |
| Known for | Being the first Nigerian transperson to walk the Lagos Fashion Week |
| Awards | None |
| Website | None |
| Social media | Instagram: @folafrancis Wikipedia- @Fola_Francis |
Birthday, Transition. Family
Fola Francis was born in Nigeria in 1996 (age: 27 years, as of 2023), as the youngest of four children. She grew up in a conservative and religious family, where she faced rejection and abuse for expressing her feminine identity. She ran away from home at the age of 14 and moved to Lagos, where she found refuge and acceptance in the LGBTQIA+ community. She began her transition at the age of 16, with the help of hormones and surgeries. She chose the name Fola, which means “honor” in Yoruba, as a way of reclaiming her dignity and self-worth.
Modeling Career and Fashion Week
Fola Francis had a passion for fashion and beauty since she was a child. She dreamed of becoming a model and walking the runway. She started her modeling career in 2018 when she was discovered by a photographer at a club. She soon signed with a modeling agency and began to appear in magazines, commercials, and online campaigns. She also launched her clothing line, called Fola Fierce, which catered to the transgender and gender-nonconforming market.
In 2022, Francis achieved her biggest breakthrough, when she became the first Nigerian transperson to walk the Lagos Fashion Week for Cute-Saint and Fruché, two Nigerian fashion brands. She wore a stunning red gown and a blue suit and received a standing ovation from the audience. She later said that it was the most memorable and emotional moment of her life and that she felt proud to represent her community and country on the global stage.
Activism and Ballroom Scene
Fola Francis was not only a model but also an activist and a leader in the LGBTQIA+ community. She used her platform and voice to advocate for the rights and dignity of transgender and queer people in Nigeria, where homosexuality is illegal and punishable by up to 14 years in prison. She also spoke out against the proposed bill to outlaw cross-dressing in Nigeria, which she said was a violation of human rights and freedom of expression. She also supported various charities and organizations that provided health care, education, and shelter to LGBTQIA+ people in need.
Fola was also a key figure in the Lagos ballroom scene, a subculture of dance and performance that originated in the US among black and Latino LGBTQIA+ people. She was the founder and mother of the House of Fierce, one of the most successful and influential houses in the scene. She organized and hosted many balls, where she and her children competed in various categories, such as voguing, runway, face, and realness. She also mentored and nurtured many young queer people, who looked up to her as a role model and a friend. She taught them how to express themselves, how to be confident, and how to survive in a hostile society.
Love Life of Fola Francis
Fola Francis was active on social media, especially on Instagram, where she had over 8000 followers. She often posted photos and videos of herself, her modeling gigs, her ballroom events, her activism, and her friends. She also used her platform to raise awareness and funds for various causes, such as the proposed bill to outlaw cross-dressing in Nigeria, which she opposed. She also interacted with her fans, who admired and supported her.
However, Francis did not post anything about her love life on her social media accounts. She did not reveal if she had a partner or a lover, or if she was single or dating. She did not share any photos or videos of herself with anyone who could be considered as her romantic interest. She did not use any hashtags or captions that could indicate her relationship status. She kept her personal life private and away from the media.
The only exception was a post that she made on February 14, 2023, on Valentine’s Day. She posted a photo of herself holding a bouquet of roses, with a caption that read: “Happy Valentine’s Day to me and all my lovers. You know who you are. I love you all. #selflove #lovewins #transisbeautiful”. The post received over 10,000 likes and hundreds of comments, mostly from her fans, who wished her a happy Valentine’s Day, and praised her beauty and courage. Some of them also asked her who her lovers were, but she did not reply to any of them.
This post was the only hint that Fola might have had some lovers in her life, but it was not clear who they were, how many they were, or what kind of relationship they had with her. It could have been a joke, a tease, or a way of expressing her gratitude to her friends and supporters. It could have also been a way of celebrating her self-love, as she mentioned in the hashtag. It was not enough to confirm or deny her love life.
Net Worth
| Year | Net worth |
|---|---|
| 2021 | $50,000 |
| 2022 | $100,000 |
| 2023 | $150,000 |
Height, Weight
- Height: 5’9″ (175 cm)
- Weight: 60 kg (132 lbs)
- Eye color: Brown
- Body measurements: 34-26-36 inches (86-66-91 cm)
- Skin color: Black
- Hair color: Black
- Shoe size: 9 (US), 40 (EU) or 7 (UK)
Death and Legacy
Fola Francis died on December 20, 2023, at the age of 27, after drowning on a visit to a beach in Lagos, Nigeria. She was with her friends and fellow models, who tried to rescue her but were unsuccessful. The cause of her death was ruled as an accident, but some of her fans and supporters suspected foul play and demanded an investigation. Her death was announced by her family and her agency on social media and was met with shock and sadness by her fans, friends, and fellow activists. Many of them shared their memories and condolences and celebrated her life and achievements.
Fola left behind a legacy of courage, beauty, and activism. She was a pioneer and an icon in the Nigerian transgender and LGBTQIA+ community, who broke barriers and stereotypes and inspired many people to live their truth. She was also a talented and successful model, who made history and brought visibility and recognition to her community on the global stage. She was also a compassionate and generous person, who helped and supported many people in need. She was a trailblazer, a role model, and a friend, who will be dearly missed and never forgotten.
