Katie Piper

Katie Piper was born Kate Elizabeth Piper on October 12, 1983, in Andover, Hampshire, England. She began her career as a model, participating in various fashion, glamour, and promotional photoshoots, including work for national newspapers. She also worked as a promotional model, appearing at live events, and as a digital television presenter for web-TV shows and small digital channels. Her early career saw her move from her family home in Hampshire to an flat in Golders Green, North London, as her profile rose.

In March 2008, Katie Piper became the victim of a brutal acid attack, which caused significant damage to her face and blinded her in one eye. After spending two months in the Burns Unit at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, undergoing pioneering surgery by Mr. Mohammad Ali Jawad, she was placed in an induced coma. Her recovery involved extensive rehabilitation in France, where she wore a plastic pressure mask for two years and was fed through a tube due to internal scarring. Just over a year after the attack, in 2009, Piper chose to waive her anonymity to share her story in the Channel 4 documentary ‘Katie: My Beautiful Face.’ This documentary was watched by over 3.5 million viewers and was nominated for a BAFTA Television Award in 2010.

Following this, Piper established The Katie Piper Foundation in 2009, with the support of patron Simon Cowell. The charity aims to assist individuals with burns and other disfigurement injuries, focusing on rehabilitation and social inclusion. Katie Piper has since authored several best-selling books, including her autobiography ‘Beautiful,’ and has presented numerous TV shows both in the UK and internationally. She has been recognized for her bravery and determination, receiving awards such as Woman of the Year 2011 and a special recognition award at The Pride of Britain Awards. In 2022, she was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her services to charity and victims.