Anna Vakili Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Anna Vakili |
| Age | 35–36 (as of 2026) |
| Date of Birth | July 7, 1990 (some sources list July 9) |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) |
| Weight | Approximately 68 kg (150 lbs) |
| Nationality | British (Iranian heritage) |
| Profession | Reality television personality, influencer, model, podcast host, qualified pharmacist |
| Estimated Net Worth | Variously reported in the low-to-mid six figures (USD/GBP range; exact figures fluctuate with brand deals and ventures) |
Anna Vakili rose to national prominence in the United Kingdom as a standout contestant on the fifth series of the ITV reality dating show Love Island in 2019. Known for her striking looks, sharp humour, and unapologetic personality, she quickly earned the nickname “the British Kim Kardashian.” Beyond the villa, Anna has built a multifaceted career as a social media influencer, content creator, and podcast host while drawing on her professional background as a qualified pharmacist. Of Iranian descent and raised in London, she has spoken about representing Middle Eastern women in mainstream media and balancing ambition with family values. Her journey from pharmacy counter to reality television and digital entrepreneurship continues to resonate with audiences seeking authentic, multi-dimensional public figures.
Early Life and Family Background
Anna Vakili was born in England and raised in London in a close-knit family of Iranian heritage. Her parents placed strong emphasis on education and professional achievement, typical of many Middle Eastern immigrant households that value stable careers such as medicine, dentistry, or pharmacy. Anna has described this upbringing as both supportive and structured, noting that her family expected academic success while still allowing her to pursue her own path later in life.
She shares a particularly close bond with her younger sister, Mandi Vakili (also known as Mandana), a fellow model, makeup artist, and content creator. The sisters have frequently collaborated on social media, YouTube content, and later a successful podcast. Growing up together in London, they navigated the experience of being British-Iranian women in a multicultural city, an identity that later informed Anna’s public comments about representation and cultural expectations.
Family life included periods of financial pressure, something Anna has referenced openly in later interviews when reflecting on why she initially pursued Love Island. The sisters have spoken about their parents’ gradual acceptance of their shift from traditional careers into entertainment and influencing, highlighting a blend of pride and caution that many first-generation families experience.
Education
Anna pursued higher education with determination. She completed a master’s degree in pharmacy after approximately five years of study and training. This rigorous path equipped her with professional qualifications that allowed her to work as a pharmacist in the UK. She has noted that while the degree demanded significant time and effort, she sensed early on that a conventional pharmacy career might not fully align with her personality and interests. Still, the education provided both intellectual grounding and a safety net she would return to at points later in life.
Her academic background set her apart from many reality television peers and contributed to the “brains and beauty” narrative that surrounded her during and after Love Island.
Career Journey
Before fame, Anna worked as a pharmacist, a role she balanced with growing social media activity. Her Instagram following expanded notably after she was photographed with Iranian footballers during a trip, an incident that drew attention from Iranian media and fans and boosted her online presence into the tens of thousands.
In 2019, at age 28, she entered the Love Island villa on Day 1 of Series 5 as one of the original contestants. Viewers and producers took immediate notice of her height, confidence, and direct style. Over the course of the series she coupled with several islanders, including Sherif Lanre early on, then Jordan Hames, and later Ovie Soko during Casa Amor periods. Her time in the villa featured memorable personality moments, clashes, and romantic drama. She was ultimately dumped from the island on Day 52 alongside Jordan Hames.
Leaving the show transformed her public profile. Followers on Instagram grew rapidly into the hundreds of thousands and eventually surpassed one million. Brand partnerships followed in fashion, beauty, and lifestyle categories, including work with labels such as Fashion Nova and various clothing and beauty brands. She appeared on television programmes including Loose Women and later took a cameo-style role in the 2022 BBC Three series Mood.
Alongside individual influencing, Anna and Mandi launched collaborative projects. They created content under the Vakili Sisters banner on YouTube and co-host the podcast Sisters in the City, which has covered relationships, lifestyle, family dynamics, and personal experiences. The podcast has enjoyed strong engagement and live tour success. Anna has also spoken candidly about the financial volatility that can follow reality television: initial earnings were significant, but early mismanagement of money led to setbacks, including temporarily losing her flat. She has described learning from those experiences and approaching subsequent income more carefully.
In 2024 she returned part-time to pharmacy work, citing the mental health benefits of routine and purpose after finding full-time influencing unstructured and at times unfulfilling. This hybrid approach—retaining social media and podcast work while practising her original profession—illustrates a pragmatic approach to career longevity.
Personal Life, Lifestyle, and Family
Anna keeps much of her romantic life private. She was briefly linked to fellow Love Island contestant Jordan Hames after the series. In more recent years she has discussed on-and-off relationships and the challenges of dating under public scrutiny, including considerations around settling down and future family plans such as egg freezing. She has emphasised personal growth and clearer standards in relationships as she has moved through her thirties.
Family remains central. She has spoken with pride about helping support her mother into retirement through her post-Love Island earnings. The sisterly partnership with Mandi continues to be a professional and personal cornerstone. Anna has also shared experiences related to body image, cosmetic procedures, and evolving her look over time (including hair colour changes and adjustments to earlier enhancements), framing these as personal choices rather than defining features.
Lifestyle-wise, she balances London-based work with travel, content creation, and brand appearances. Fitness and appearance details are publicly discussed mainly in the context of height (she has stated 5 ft 9 in on the show) and a curvy physique that she has proudly represented. Weight figures around 68 kg appear in earlier profiles; like many public figures, these numbers shift with lifestyle and time.
Net Worth and Income Sources
Precise net worth figures for influencers fluctuate and are rarely independently audited. Early post-Love Island estimates placed Anna in the region of $200,000. Later commentary has suggested figures exceeding £100,000 and potentially higher depending on brand deals, podcast revenue, and any fashion or product collaborations (including reported involvement with ventures such as Simmi Shoes alongside her sister). Primary income streams include sponsored Instagram and social content, brand ambassadorships, podcast monetisation and live events, residual media appearances, and part-time pharmacy work. Financial lessons learned after the initial fame spike appear to have encouraged more sustainable management.
Physical Appearance
Anna is frequently described as tall and glamorous, standing 5 ft 9 in (175 cm). Early profiles listed weight near 68 kg with a curvy or voluptuous build. She has dark brown hair (though she has experimented with blonde looks) and has been noted for distinctive features and a confident personal style. Fitness and presentation form part of her public image as an influencer, though she has also spoken about the pressures and costs of maintaining a certain aesthetic.
Interesting Facts About Anna Vakili
- She was already building an Instagram following before Love Island, with a notable surge after being linked in photos to Iranian footballers that reached Iranian news outlets.
- On the show she openly discussed the difficulty of meeting potential partners while working in a pharmacy (“they’re either really old or sick”).
- She has advocated for greater Middle Eastern representation and has described bringing “Middle Eastern spice” and curvy body confidence to the Love Island villa.
- The sisters’ podcast Sisters in the City has developed a loyal audience and supported live touring.
- Despite early success in influencing, she returned to part-time pharmacy work for mental health and sense of purpose.
- She has been open about financial ups and downs after reality television and the importance of learning money management.
- Family values remain prominent; supporting her mother’s retirement ranks among her proudest personal achievements.
Conclusion
Anna Vakili’s story illustrates a modern path from professional qualification through reality television into digital entrepreneurship and selective return to her original field. Her visibility on Love Island introduced a confident British-Iranian woman to a broad audience, while subsequent years demonstrated resilience amid the highs and lows of influencer life. Through her podcast with sister Mandi, brand work, and continued presence online, she maintains relevance while refining her approach to career and personal priorities. Looking ahead, Anna appears positioned to expand her media and business activities, continue advocating for authentic representation, and balance public-facing work with the stability of her pharmacy training. Her trajectory offers a grounded example of navigating fame without losing sight of education, family, and long-term sustainability.
FAQ
How old is Anna Vakili? Born in 1990 (July 7 according to multiple sources), she is 35–36 years old as of 2026.
What is Anna Vakili’s net worth? Estimates vary and are not officially confirmed; early figures were around $200,000, with later reports suggesting higher amounts driven by brand deals, podcasting, and related ventures.
What is Anna Vakili famous for? She is best known for appearing on Love Island UK Series 5 in 2019, followed by successful work as an influencer and co-host of the Sisters in the City podcast with her sister Mandi.
What is her educational and professional background? She holds a master’s degree in pharmacy and has worked as a qualified pharmacist both before and, part-time, after her reality television career.
Does Anna Vakili have siblings? Yes, she has a younger sister, Mandi Vakili, with whom she collaborates closely on content and podcasting.
What is Anna Vakili’s nationality and heritage? She is British, born and raised in London, with Iranian (Persian) family heritage.
