María de Lourdes “Mia” Villiers Farrow, born February 9, 1945, is an American actress, activist and former fashion model.
Mia Farrow serves as a United Nations Children’s Fund Goodwill Ambassador, advocating for children’s rights in impoverished and war-torn areas of the world.
She has also been influential in raising awareness about Darfur (a region of Sudan whose citizens are facing genocide). Part of her work in this area includes focusing attention on China’s role in the conflict, which was brought to light during the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Through her influence, acclaimed director Steven Spielberg withdrew from being an artistic advisor for the Games, which itself increased public awareness about the issue.
Among other causes, Mia Farrow has worked to raise awareness and support for the fight against polio, which still affects people in some areas of Africa and Asia, but which has now been nearly eradicated; and the conflict in Darfur, which has killed an estimated hundred thousand people or more. Farrow has been a proponent of divestment from Sudan -– withholding business investments and practices with that nation’s government on the grounds that it provides financial and logistic support for those conducting violent acts against civilians.
Farrow has also joined others in calling on divestment from certain Chinese corporations, on the grounds that they do a significant amount of business with Sudan without regard for their poor stance on human rights. Farrow’s efforts have enlisted wide support for raising awareness on the current situation in Darfur and in calling for divestment. She has made numerous trips to the region to see the conflict for herself and to provide exposure to the conflict.
As of September 2016, Farrow has 11 living children (four biological, seven adopted), including her adopted daughter Soon-Yi from whom she is estranged.
Similar to Angelina Jolie in this respect, Mia Farrow is one of few celebrities who have used their time, energy, and resources to get involved in the causes they espouse, and her influence has been tangible.
