Heidi Klum was named UNICEF USA’s newest Ambassador on June 3, 2026, marking a significant milestone for the supermodel after more than a decade of advocacy work with the organization. The announcement came just two days after her 53rd birthday on June 1, as the entertainment world celebrated the model, television host, and entrepreneur.
Klum’s appointment as a formal ambassador reflects her long-standing commitment to children’s rights globally. She first began working with UNICEF USA in 2011 and has become one of the organization’s most recognizable advocates, particularly through her leadership of the iconic Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF campaign, which has helped raise nearly $200 million for children worldwide.
Fifteen Years of Global Advocacy
During her years with UNICEF, Klum has traveled internationally to witness the organization’s work firsthand. In 2012, she visited Haiti to observe UNICEF’s recovery efforts following the 2010 earthquake, touring neonatal units and health clinics. She also traveled to India, where she learned about UNICEF programs focused on girls’ education, gender-based violence prevention, and reproductive health initiatives.
Heidi Klum named UNICEF USA Ambassador on her 53rd birthday
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Domestically, Klum has been instrumental in promoting Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF since 2011, appearing in multiple public service announcements and discussing the campaign on major television shows including The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and The Ellen DeGenious Show. The campaign, which turned 75 in 2025, has become synonymous with Klum’s philanthropic efforts.
The timing of Klum’s ambassador appointment coincides with the United Nations’ International Day of Play on June 11, which emphasizes play as a fundamental right for children. According to UNICEF, in 2024 alone the organization delivered nearly 20,000 Early Childhood Development Kits and more than 27,000 recreation kits to children in high-stress environments around the world.
Klum joins a roster of high-profile UNICEF ambassadors including Amanda Gorman, Sofia Carson, Selena Gomez, Laurie Hernandez, Justin H. Min, and P!NK. As an Emmy-winning television personality, Klum has spent the last 25 years as one of fashion’s most iconic figures, serving as host, co-creator, and executive producer of Project Runway for 16 seasons before returning to the show in 2025 for its 21st season.
Sources
- UNICEF USA — Official press release announcing Heidi Klum as newest ambassador, June 3, 2026
- People.com — Exclusive interview with Heidi Klum discussing her new ambassador role and UNICEF work, June 3, 2026
- Tribune Content Agency — Coverage of Klum’s appointment and background with UNICEF
