Quick Facts
| Net Worth | $10 Million |
| Born | August 26, 1980, Iran |
| Raised In | Norway |
| Occupation | Model, Entrepreneur, TV Personality |
| Known For | E!’s Second Wives Club |
| Spouse | Niels Houweling (m. 2020) |
| Nationality | Iranian-American |
Who Is Shiva Safai?
Shiva Safai has built a $10 million net worth through modeling, television, and smart business moves. She’s best known for starring on E!’s hit reality show Second Wives Club. But her story goes far beyond one TV credit.
Safai was born in Iran in 1980. Her family moved to Norway when she was young, and she later relocated to Los Angeles at just 19 years old to chase a modeling career. That move paid off. Today, she’s a recognized name in fashion, entertainment, and entrepreneurship.
This article breaks down exactly how Shiva Safai earns her money, what her career actually looks like today, and how her personal life shaped her public image.
Early Life: From Iran to Los Angeles
Safai’s early years took her across three countries. Born in Iran, she spent much of her childhood in Norway before making the leap to the United States as a teenager.
Moving to Los Angeles at 19 with no industry connections is a tough start for anyone. Safai broke into modeling through sheer persistence, landing campaigns and editorial work before reality TV made her a household name.
Her background also shaped her public identity. Safai speaks openly about her Persian heritage and has used her platform to support causes tied to her roots, including children’s health charities based in Iran.
Shiva Safai’s Career: How She Built Her Wealth
Safai’s income doesn’t come from one single source. Her $10 million net worth comes from several income streams built over more than a decade.
1. Modeling Career
Before television, Safai worked as a professional model. She appeared in fashion campaigns and was named among Harper’s Bazaar’s best-dressed in 2016 — a recognition that boosted her visibility in the fashion world and opened doors to further brand work.
2. Reality Television
Safai’s biggest career break came in 2017 when Second Wives Club premiered on E!. The show followed women married to (or previously involved with) significantly older, high-profile men, and it gave Safai national exposure well beyond the fashion industry.
3. Business Ventures
Away from the cameras, Safai has run a background-check services business for years — a less glamorous but steady source of income that diversifies her earnings beyond modeling and TV.
4. Brand Partnerships and Social Media
With a large, engaged following on social media, Safai earns through sponsored posts and brand collaborations. Influencer income like this has become a major revenue stream for public figures in her position, often rivaling traditional modeling fees.
Shiva Safai’s Relationships: Setting the Record Straight
Many older articles still describe Shiva Safai as married to real estate developer Mohamed Hadid. That information is out of date.
Here’s the accurate timeline:
- Safai was engaged to Mohamed Hadid from 2014 to 2019. The pair never married, despite years of public speculation about wedding plans.
- The engagement ended amicably in 2019.
- Safai began dating Dutch music executive Niels Houweling later that year.
- The couple got engaged in 2020 and married the same year in an intimate ceremony at The Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills.
- As of 2026, Safai and Houweling remain married, and she sometimes uses the surname Houweling on social media.
About Mohamed Hadid: Hadid is a Palestinian-American real estate developer, best known today as the father of supermodels Gigi and Bella Hadid. His relationship with Safai brought her significant early media attention, but it’s a chapter of her past — not her current life.
Shiva Safai Net Worth Breakdown
| Income Source | Contribution to Wealth |
|---|---|
| Modeling & fashion campaigns | Early-career foundation |
| Second Wives Club (E!) | Major visibility boost |
| Background-check business | Steady, diversified income |
| Brand deals & social media | Ongoing revenue stream |
| Total Net Worth | $10 Million |
Life Today: Beyond Reality TV
Safai has kept a relatively low profile in recent years compared to her Second Wives Club days. She focuses on her marriage, personal wellness, travel, and philanthropy — including continued support for children’s cancer charities in Iran.
She has no children and has spoken about prioritizing her career, personal growth, and charitable work instead.
FAQ: Shiva Safai Net Worth
Is Shiva Safai married?
Yes. She has been married to Dutch entrepreneur Niels Houweling since 2020. She was previously engaged to Mohamed Hadid, but they never married.
How did Shiva Safai make her money?
She earns through modeling campaigns, her role on Second Wives Club, a long-running background-check business, and brand partnerships.
Does Shiva Safai have children?
No, Shiva Safai does not have children.
What show is Shiva Safai known for?
She’s best known for starring on E!’s reality series Second Wives Club, which premiered in 2017.
Final Thoughts
Shiva Safai’s journey from Iran to Norway to Los Angeles — and from modeling to reality TV to business ownership — shows how a diverse career can build lasting wealth. While her early fame was tied to a high-profile engagement, her current $10 million net worth reflects years of independent work across multiple industries.
For more on how today’s boundary-breaking icons build their fortunes, keep exploring faminaz.com.