Bibi Aisha Featured on TIME Magazine – Book Release Coming Soon
Author Lauren Ungeldi and Bibi Aisha will be releasing a book centered around Bibi Aisha’s life story who was featured on the cover of TIME magazine in 2010. This week, TIME magazine featured in an interview between Angelina Jolie and Bibi Aisha which was released in the TIME’s online platform.
Bibi Aisha was born in Afghanistan, protected and raised by her grandmother in the mountains, and then given in marriage to a Taliban leader at twelve years old. She was brutally mutilated in punishment for attempting to escape (her nose and ears cut off with a machete) and left to die. Bibi Aisha took refuge at an American military base where she was given medical care. After arriving in the United States several months later after her photo was featured on the cover of TIME magazine, she underwent over 30 reconstructive surgeries on her face and nose by some of the finest doctors and surgeons in America.
Lauren says that the time she has spent with Bibi Aisha while working on the book has been nothing short of inspiring. Bibi’s gentle spirit, wisdom, generosity, and perspective regarding the plight of women in Afghanistan and around the globe is eye opening and deeply moving.
The interview between Angelina Jolie and Bibi Aisha for TIME magazine touched Lauren’s soul in a way that surprised her. Angelina Jolie’s peaceful spirit and compassion was evident in each of her questions, in her gentle silences to absorb each word Bibi Aisha had spoken and honor the meaning held there, and in her wise words. Bibi’s authenticity and transparency to share her story shows a level of bravery and fortitude that few individuals possess.
It is clear that Bibi and Angelina come from starkly different backgrounds and that their experiences could not be more different. And yet, through this interview, emerges a commonality, a shared vision, a united heart which speaks to the unbreakable power of human connection.
Bibi Aisha and Lauren Ungeldi will be releasing her book in the coming months, sharing her life’s story in full detail. They both believe that her story and message for the world has never been more needed. While the world knew Bibi from her appearance on TIME Magazine in 2010, both Lauren and Bibi have said that there is far more to her story than the public knows and look forward to giving the world a window into her heart and mind like never before.
Click for the Interview with Bibi Aisha and Angelina Jolie as well as the special article for 100 Years of TIME, Afghan Women and the Return of the Taliban.
Follow the book release journey here and Bibi Aisha’s personal account here.
