The Afghan Woman with Green Eyes, Turning 50 This Year, Has Changed Considerably

Sharbat Gula’s journey—from a frightened 12-year-old in a refugee camp to a 50-year-old symbol of endurance—underscores the human face behind headlines. Decades later, her story of resilience and survival continues to inspire.

The Face That Captured the World

You’ve almost certainly seen her iconic image: a young girl with emerald eyes staring out from a magazine cover that became one of the 20th century’s most recognisable photographs. In June 1985, 12-year-old Sharbat Gula—an Afghan refugee living in Pakistan’s Nasir Bagh camp—sat for Steve McCurry’s portrait for National Geographic¹. Orphaned by war, she had fled Soviet bombings alongside her grandmother and siblings. McCurry later recalled being struck by “her resilient, dignified look,” a testament to her inner strength despite unimaginable hardship.

 

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A Life Marked by Resilience

Seventeen years after that first portrait, Sharbat re-emerged in National Geographic—now a mother of six, draped in a violet veil. Her life took further dramatic turns. In October 2016, Pakistani authorities detained her over documentation issues; she was deported to Afghanistan after six days in custody². There, she was welcomed by President Ashraf Ghani and former President Hamid Karzai, expressing gratitude for the respect and warmth shown upon her return.

Following the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul in August 2021, Sharbat was granted sanctuary in Rome under a UNHCR relocation program. Living in relative peace, she continues to embody the enduring struggle of her homeland—her presence a symbol that transcends borders and politics.

Enduring Hope

Now turning 50, Sharbat Gula remains often likened to a modern-day Mona Lisa—her enigmatic gaze a reminder that behind every headline lies a human story of courage, survival, and enduring hope.

Footnotes

1. Wikipedia, “Afghan Girl,” June 1985; https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghan_Girl

2. BBC, “Green-Eyed Afghan Refugee Detained in Pakistan,”; https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37923826