Mia Khalifa biography reveals her real name Sarah Joe Chamoun, age 32, Lebanese-American background, controversial career, marriages, $8 million net worth, and social media success story.
Who is Mia Khalifa?
Mia Khalifa is a Lebanese-American social media personality, entrepreneur, and former adult film actress who became one of the most recognized internet celebrities of the 2010s. Born Sarah Joe Chamoun on February 10, 1993, in Beirut, Lebanon, she moved to the United States in 2001 and later gained global prominence through a brief but highly controversial three-month stint in the adult entertainment industry in late 2014.
Despite spending only three months in the industry and appearing in just 11 films, Khalifa became the most-searched performer on major adult websites, catapulting her to international fame and infamy. The backlash from a controversial scene wearing a hijab led to death threats from extremist groups, condemnation from her home country, and her parents publicly disowning her.
Since leaving the adult industry in 2015, Mia has successfully reinvented herself as a social media influencer, sports commentator, webcam model, and entrepreneur. With over 26 million Instagram followers and millions more across other platforms, she has built an estimated net worth of $8 million through content creation, brand partnerships, OnlyFans, and her jewelry business Sheytan. At 32 years old in 2025, Khalifa remains a polarizing but influential figure in digital media and pop culture.
Quick Facts About Mia Khalifa
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Real Name | Sarah Joe Chamoun |
| Stage Name | Mia Khalifa (also known as Mia Callista) |
| Date of Birth | February 10, 1993 |
| Age (2025) | 32 years old |
| Zodiac Sign | Aquarius |
| Place of Birth | Beirut, Lebanon |
| Current Residence | Austin, Texas (previously Miami) |
| Nationality | Lebanese-American |
| Religion | Raised Catholic (no longer practicing) |
| Height | 5’2″ (1.57 m) |
| Weight | Approximately 55 kg (121 lbs) |
| First Husband | High school boyfriend (married 2011, divorced 2016) |
| Second Husband | Robert Sandberg (married 2019, separated 2020) |
| Current Partner | Reports suggest relationship with Jhay Cortez |
| Net Worth (2025) | $8 million |
| Famous For | Brief adult film career, social media influence |
| Education | BA in History, University of Texas at El Paso |
Early Life and Immigration Journey
Sarah Joe Chamoun was born on February 10, 1993, in Beirut, Lebanon, into what she describes as a very conservative Catholic household. Her early childhood in Beirut was marked by the political instability and conflict affecting South Lebanon during that period.
In January 2001, when Mia was just eight years old, her family made the life-changing decision to immigrate to the United States due to the ongoing conflict in South Lebanon. They settled in Montgomery County, Maryland, where young Sarah faced the challenges of adapting to a completely new culture, language, and way of life.
The transition to American life proved difficult for the young immigrant. She attended Northwest High School in Montgomery County, where she faced significant bullying, particularly intensifying after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The discrimination became so severe that her family transferred her to Massanutten Military Academy to escape the hostile environment.
Despite these challenges, Mia persevered and even played lacrosse during her teenage years, showing her determination to integrate into American society. Her experiences as an immigrant and bullying victim would later inform her advocacy work and public commentary on social issues.
Educational Background
After completing her secondary education, Mia Khalifa attended the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), where she pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. During her college years, she worked various jobs to support herself, including a memorable stint as a briefcase girl on a local Texas Spanish-language television game show similar to “Deal or No Deal.”
She also briefly worked at the fast-food restaurant chain Whataburger in Miami, Florida, gaining real-world work experience while completing her studies. These early employment experiences gave her insight into different aspects of American working culture before graduation.
Khalifa graduated from UTEP with her history degree, equipped with an education that would later inform her commentary on political and social issues. However, her career path would take an unexpected turn shortly after graduation when she moved to Miami.
Brief Adult Film Career (2014-2015)
Entry into the Industry
In October 2014, shortly after moving to Miami and working as a nude model, Mia Khalifa entered the pornographic film industry. According to her account, she was recruited by a man who approached her on the street and asked if she was interested in nude modeling. After contemplating the offer for about two weeks, she agreed.
Her stage name “Mia Khalifa” was inspired by two sources: her pet dog named Mia and American rapper Wiz Khalifa. What she initially viewed as a way to “let loose and rebel” would quickly spiral into international controversy.
Rapid Rise and Controversy
In December 2014, just two months after entering the industry, Khalifa released a scene for Bang Bros in which she wore a hijab during a threesome. This scene instantly catapulted her to global attention and controversy. The video received over 1.5 million views and made the 22-year-old Khalifa the most-searched performer on Pornhub.
The hijab scene sparked massive outrage in the Middle East and Muslim communities worldwide. According to data from Pornhub, searches for Khalifa increased five-fold from January 3-6, 2015, with approximately a quarter of those searches coming from Lebanon alone, along with substantial searches from Syria and Jordan.
Alex Hawkins, vice president of marketing for xHamster, explained: “The outrage it caused in the Arab world ended up being a bit of a ‘Streisand effect’. Suddenly, everyone was searching for her. The effort to censor her only made her more ubiquitous.”
Threats and Backlash
The controversy brought severe consequences. Khalifa received online death threats from ISIS (the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant), including a fabricated image showing her being executed by the terrorist group. Her parents publicly disowned her due to her career choice, and Lebanese newspapers severely criticized her actions.
In January 2015, pop-rap duo Timeflies released a song titled “Mia Khalifa” in homage to her rising fame. A Lebanese brewery, Almaza, even ran an advertisement showing a bottle of their beer next to Khalifa’s signature glasses with the slogan: “We are both rated 18+.”
Quick Exit
Despite signing a long-term contract with WGCZ Holding (Bang Bros’ parent company) in January 2015, Khalifa had a change of heart just two weeks later and resigned. The overwhelming negative attention prompted her departure: “It was an eye-opener for me. I don’t want any of this, whether it’s positive or negative—but all of it was negative.”
In total, Mia Khalifa worked in the adult film industry for only three months and appeared in just 11 films. However, those 11 videos would follow her for years to come.
Controversial Earnings Dispute
One of the most contentious aspects of Mia Khalifa’s story involves how much she actually earned during her brief adult film career. In August 2019, Khalifa shocked the public by claiming she made only $12,000 during her entire adult film career—a stunningly low amount considering her lasting global fame.
However, Bang Bros disputed this claim, stating they paid her more than $178,000 in total for her work with them, not including additional payments she received from other companies. This significant discrepancy sparked widespread debate about exploitation in the adult entertainment industry.
Khalifa has maintained her position, stating that companies manipulated performers into signing unfair, non-profitable contracts. She has been vocal about not receiving residual income from her videos, which continue to generate revenue for production companies years later.
The company WGCZ Holding owns a webpage with a domain name using her stage name, which Khalifa says doesn’t pay her for rights, even though it’s written in her first-person voice. This ongoing dispute has made her an advocate for performers’ rights in the industry she left behind.
Life After Adult Films
Transition Period
After leaving the adult industry in 2015, Khalifa worked in Miami as a paralegal and bookkeeper, attempting to establish a “more normal job” and distance herself from her brief controversial career. She described her adult film work as her “rebellious phase” and admitted “It wasn’t really for me.”
Social Media Transformation
Mia successfully transitioned into a career as a social media personality, building massive followings across multiple platforms:
- Instagram: Over 26 million followers
- TikTok: Approximately 39 million followers
- Twitter/X: Over 6.3 million followers
- YouTube: Over 680,000 subscribers
She posts content about lifestyle, food, fashion, politics, and sports, particularly supporting Washington D.C. area teams due to her upbringing in Maryland. Her authentic personality and willingness to engage with controversial topics have kept her relevant and popular.
Content Creation and OnlyFans
Khalifa sells sexually explicit material directly to subscribers on OnlyFans, where she reportedly ranks among the platform’s highest earners. Some reports suggest she earns between $3-6 million annually from OnlyFans alone, though exact figures vary across sources.
She also livestreams on Twitch, sells photoshoots and merchandise on Patreon, and maintains an active YouTube channel featuring vlogs, Twitch stream recaps, and commentary videos.
Entrepreneurship and Fashion
Sheytan Jewelry Brand
In 2022, Mia launched Sheytan, her self-funded jewelry and bodywear brand. The name “Sheytan” (meaning “devil” in Arabic) reflects her rebellious spirit and willingness to embrace controversy. Working alongside designer Sara Burn, the brand offers gold-plated body chains, necklaces, and anklets priced between $80 and $600.
Fashion Collaborations
Khalifa was featured in the Fall/Winter 2023 campaign for London-based fashion label Aries, along with an accompanying photo book titled “Mia by Aries.” Sofia Prantera, founder of Aries, considers Khalifa her muse, stating: “I felt immediately inspired by Mia’s ‘Punk’ attitude. She is strong but extremely humble.”
Her fashion ventures demonstrate successful brand repositioning from her controversial past to legitimate entrepreneurship.
Personal Life and Relationships
First Marriage
In February 2011, Mia Khalifa married her high school boyfriend. The couple separated in 2014—around the same time she entered the adult film industry—and their divorce was finalized in 2016 after two years of legal proceedings.
Second Marriage to Robert Sandberg
In March 2019, Khalifa got engaged to Swedish professional chef Robert Sandberg in a romantic proposal at Smyth restaurant in Chicago. He hid the engagement ring in a bowl of dried ingredients, presenting it as a “new serving”—a creative gesture befitting his culinary background.
They married in 2019, with Sandberg bringing impressive credentials including victories in major cooking competitions and experience at Michelin-starred restaurants. However, their relationship faced challenges, and in April 2020, they announced postponing their wedding due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The couple separated in July 2020 and announced their decision to divorce in 2021. Their separation announcement was mature and respectful, acknowledging they had tried therapy and given their best effort to make the marriage work.
Current Relationship Status
Following her divorce from Sandberg, Khalifa was in a relationship with Puerto Rican rapper and singer Jhayco (Jhay Cortez) from 2021 to 2022. As of 2025, reports suggest she may be in a relationship, though she has not made official announcements about her current romantic status.
Net Worth and Income Sources
Mia Khalifa’s estimated net worth stands at approximately $8 million as of 2025, with annual earnings between $1-3 million from various revenue streams:
Primary Income Sources:
- OnlyFans: Reportedly earning millions annually, possibly $3-6 million
- Social Media Sponsorships: $500,000-$1 million yearly from brand partnerships
- Content Creation: YouTube, Twitch, Patreon memberships
- Sheytan Jewelry Business: Revenue from her entrepreneurial venture
- Merchandise Sales: Exclusive products and photoshoots
Luxury Assets
Khalifa previously lived in a luxurious 9,500-square-foot California home valued at approximately $4 million before relocating to Miami and later Austin, Texas. Her impressive car collection includes:
- Ferrari F12 Berlinetta
- Bentley Continental GT
- Audi R8 Spyder
- BMW M4
- Jeep Wrangler
Advocacy and Social Activism
Beyond her media presence, Mia Khalifa has become a vocal advocate for various social causes:
- Refugees and Marginalized Communities: Using her platform to raise awareness about refugee crises, particularly in Lebanon
- Performers’ Rights: Speaking out about exploitation in the adult entertainment industry
- Body Image and Mental Health: Addressing domestic violence and body image issues
- Freedom of Expression: Advocating for women’s rights and personal autonomy
She has stated regarding Lebanon’s reaction to her past: “Women’s rights in Lebanon are a long way from being taken seriously if a Lebanese American porn star that no longer resides there can cause such an uproar.”
Public Perception and Legacy
Mia Khalifa remains one of the most polarizing internet personalities of the 2010s-2020s. Her story has become a case study in:
- Digital identity and online notoriety
- The long-term consequences of brief controversial decisions
- Exploitation in the adult entertainment industry
- Successful personal rebranding and reinvention
- The power and permanence of internet fame
Despite her attempts to move past her brief adult film career, those 11 videos continue to be widely viewed. As she stated: “Those 11 videos will haunt me until I die, and I don’t want another girl to go through that because NO ONE should.”
Her successful transition from controversial adult performer to legitimate entrepreneur and influencer demonstrates resilience and business acumen, though debates about her past continue to follow her public presence.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mia Khalifa
What is Mia Khalifa’s real name?
Her birth name is Sarah Joe Chamoun. She adopted the stage name “Mia Khalifa” when she entered the adult film industry in 2014, inspired by her dog Mia and rapper Wiz Khalifa.
How old is Mia Khalifa?
Mia Khalifa is 32 years old as of 2025. She was born on February 10, 1993, in Beirut, Lebanon.
How long was Mia Khalifa in the adult film industry?
Contrary to popular belief, Mia Khalifa only worked in the adult film industry for three months (October 2014 to January 2015) and appeared in just 11 films before leaving due to controversy and death threats.
What is Mia Khalifa’s net worth?
Mia Khalifa’s estimated net worth is approximately $8 million as of 2025, earned primarily through social media influence, OnlyFans, her jewelry brand Sheytan, and various brand partnerships.
Is Mia Khalifa married?
No, Mia Khalifa is currently not married. She was previously married to her high school boyfriend (2011-2016) and Swedish chef Robert Sandberg (2019-2020). She was in a relationship with rapper Jhayco from 2021-2022.
How much did Mia Khalifa make from her adult films?
This is disputed. Khalifa claims she made only $12,000 during her entire adult film career, while Bang Bros states they paid her over $178,000, plus additional payments from other companies. She maintains she receives no residual income from those videos.
Where does Mia Khalifa live now?
As of 2025, Mia Khalifa resides in Austin, Texas. She previously lived in a $4 million home in California and spent time in Miami, Florida.
What does Mia Khalifa do for a living now?
Mia Khalifa is a social media influencer, content creator on platforms like OnlyFans and YouTube, entrepreneur (owner of Sheytan jewelry brand), sports commentator, and webcam model. She also does brand partnerships and merchandise sales.