About
Shermine Shahrivar is an Iranian-German model who first stepped into the spotlight when she won Miss Germany in 2004 and followed it up with the Miss Europe crown in 2005. Born in Tehran on 17 September 1982, she moved to Germany as an infant and grew up equally comfortable in Persian and German culture. Today she speaks four languages—German, Persian, French, and English—and combines fashion work with television hosting and charity appearances. Even two decades after her pageant triumph, she remains a fixture on European red carpets: in May 2025 she dazzled at the star-studded amfAR Gala in Cannes, proving her staying power in the public eye.
Before Fame
Family stories say Shermine’s parents encouraged both education and creativity. When her mother and brothers settled the family in Aachen, Germany, Shermine immersed herself in school, eventually earning a degree in social sciences—political science, psychology, and German literature—at RWTH Aachen University. Balancing lectures with part-time modeling jobs, she polished the poise and public-speaking skills that would help her shine on the pageant stage. By the time she entered Miss Germany, she had already hosted small community events and learned the discipline of runway rehearsals.
Trivia
- Television host: Right after her German title, Shermine fronted Traumpartner TV, a dating show, from December 2004 to August 2005. The live format trained her to think on her feet—something she still credits for her easy interview style.
- Cultural ambassador: In March 2005 she was invited to host the giant Nowruz celebration in Oberhausen, often called the largest Persian New Year event outside Iran.
- Brand face: In 2008 American Apparel signed her as a campaign model, pairing her classic features with the brand’s then-retro aesthetic.
- Award-show regular: Beyond Cannes, she appeared at the 2024 GQ Men of the Year Awards in Berlin, mingling with musicians, athletes, and actors.
- Multi-talent: Away from cameras she practices yoga and has said in interviews that she relaxes by reading German poetry aloud to her daughter—one of the perks of being multilingual.
Family Life
Though Shermine’s professional world is global, her personal circle is tight-knit. Her mother and two brothers still live in Germany, and Shermine often posts about family dinners in Düsseldorf or weekend trips to Aachen. In 2012 she began a relationship with designer Markus Klossek; their daughter was born the following year, and Shermine frequently calls motherhood her “greatest runway.” While she and Klossek later chose separate paths, they co-parent amicably. From 2016 to 2017 she dated Italian entrepreneur Lapo Elkann, drawing tabloid curiosity, but she has since kept romantic matters low-key. Shermine has said she’d rather focus on raising a confident, bilingual child who understands both Persian and German roots.
Associated With
Shermine’s career has woven her into an eclectic network:
- Fashion industry: Early campaigns linked her to photographer Terry Richardson and American Apparel founder Dov Charney, giving her insider access to Los Angeles fashion circles in the late 2000s.
- Philanthropy circuit: Regular appearances at amfAR events connect her with supporters like Diane Kruger and Orlando Bloom, highlighting her commitment to AIDS research fundraising.
- European elite: Her past relationship with Lapo Elkann placed her among Italy’s Agnelli family social set, while photo-ops at GQ and Cannes gatherings show her conversing with designers such as Donatella Versace and models like Karolína Kurková.
- Diaspora creatives: As a proud voice for Iranian heritage, she collaborates with Persian artists and appears in cultural magazines that profile figures like musician Shahin Najafi, showing solidarity within the Iranian-European community.
