Discover Rouba Saadeh’s journey as a Lebanese fashion designer, Elie Saab studio manager, and Michele Morrone’s ex-wife. Learn about her career, children, net worth, and life in Lebanon.
Quick Facts About Rouba Saadeh
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Rouba Saadeh |
| Date of Birth | April 15, 1987 |
| Age | 38 years old (as of 2025) |
| Place of Birth | Beirut, Lebanon |
| Nationality | Lebanese |
| Profession | Fashion Designer, Entrepreneur |
| Famous For | Founder of Le Paradis Des Fous, Ex-wife of Michele Morrone |
| Current Position | Ready-to-Wear Studio Manager at Elie Saab |
| Education | BSc in Graphic Design, MBA from Lebanese American University |
| Ex-Husband | Michele Morrone (married 2014-2018) |
| Children | Two sons – Marcus (born 2014) and Brando (born 2017) |
| Net Worth | Estimated $500,000 – $2 million |
| @roubasaadeh (160K+ followers) | |
| Languages | Arabic, English, French, Italian |
Rouba Saadeh Biography: Early Life and Education
Rouba Saadeh was born on April 15, 1987, in Beirut, the vibrant capital of Lebanon. Growing up in a family that valued education and cultural richness, she developed an early appreciation for art and design. Her mother, Manolia Mano Saadeh, played a significant role in her upbringing, while her father has remained largely out of the public spotlight. Rouba shares her childhood with two siblings: her sister Abir Saadeh and a brother whose identity has not been publicly disclosed.
The Lebanese designer’s educational journey reflects her commitment to excellence and creative passion. She attended the prestigious Collège Notre-Dame de Jamhour in Baabda, where she graduated in 2004. Her academic pursuits continued at Lebanese American University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Graphic Design with an emphasis on Digital Media in 2008. Not content to stop there, Rouba returned to the same institution to pursue a Master’s degree in Business Administration, which she completed in 2011.
Her thirst for fashion knowledge led her beyond Lebanon’s borders. She enrolled in a postgraduate diploma program in Fashion Design at the renowned Istituto Marangoni in Milan in 2012. Additionally, she took summer courses in fashion design at Central Saint Martins in London, one of the world’s leading art and design colleges. This international education provided her with a global perspective on fashion that would later influence her professional endeavors.
Rouba Saadeh Age and Personal Background
As of 2025, Rouba Saadeh is 38 years old. Born under the zodiac sign of Aries, she embodies many characteristics associated with this fire sign: determination, independence, and creative energy. Her Lebanese heritage has significantly influenced her aesthetic sensibilities and design philosophy, blending Middle Eastern elegance with contemporary European fashion trends.
Rouba stands approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall and maintains an elegant presence that reflects her profession in the fashion industry. With brown hair and captivating brown eyes, she carries herself with the refined sophistication expected of someone working at the highest levels of haute couture. Her multilingual abilities in Arabic, English, French, and Italian have proven invaluable in her international fashion career, allowing her to navigate diverse markets and collaborate with designers worldwide.
Career Journey: From Graphic Designer to Fashion Industry Leader
Early Professional Beginnings
Rouba Saadeh’s professional journey began in 2008 when she started working as a freelance graphic designer, a role she maintained until 2021. This foundation in graphic design proved invaluable, as it developed her keen eye for visual composition, color theory, and brand aesthetics. In 2009, she joined Alfa MIC1, a telecommunications company in Lebanon, where she worked as a graphic and web designer for nearly three years. This experience helped her understand commercial design and client relations.
The Elie Saab Chapter
A pivotal moment in Rouba’s career came in September 2013 when she joined the prestigious fashion house of Elie Saab, one of Lebanon’s most celebrated fashion designers and a global icon in haute couture. She started as an assistant to the head of the design team, working closely with the ready-to-wear and haute couture divisions. This position offered her unprecedented insight into high-end fashion design processes, from conceptualization to runway presentation.
After taking a break to focus on her family from 2014 to 2018, Rouba returned to Elie Saab in June 2019 as a ready-to-wear coordinator. Her expertise and dedication led to rapid advancement within the organization. By August 2021, she had been promoted to ready-to-wear studio supervisor, and by January 2022, she achieved the position of ready-to-wear studio manager, a role she continues to hold today.
In this leadership capacity, Rouba oversees the creation and production of Elie Saab’s ready-to-wear collections, managing teams of designers and ensuring that each piece reflects the brand’s signature elegance and sophistication. Her work involves trend forecasting, quality control, team coordination, and maintaining the delicate balance between commercial viability and artistic vision.
Rouba Saadeh Fashion Designer: Le Paradis Des Fous
Entrepreneurial Vision
In 2013, the same year she joined Elie Saab, Rouba took a bold entrepreneurial step by founding her own designer concept store called Le Paradis Des Fous, which translates to “The Paradise of Fools” in French. The store was based in Beirut and represented much more than a typical retail boutique.
Le Paradis Des Fous was conceived as a platform for emerging designers from around the globe. The concept store curated unique fashion pieces and designs from various international fashion capitals, including Milan, Paris, London, New York, Tokyo, Athens, and Beirut. Rouba’s vision was to create a space where unconventional creativity could flourish, where established and up-and-coming designers could showcase their work side by side.
As the founder and CEO, she personally curated collections that blended global aesthetics with local Lebanese craftsmanship, giving young creative talents an opportunity to display their creations to a discerning clientele. The store became known for its eclectic mix of styles and its commitment to supporting emerging talent in the fashion industry.
Career Transition
Rouba served as CEO of Le Paradis Des Fous until December 2014, when she made the difficult decision to step away from the business to focus on her family responsibilities. As a newlywed and new mother, she chose to prioritize her personal life, demonstrating the challenging balance that many professional women face between career ambitions and family commitments.
Rouba Saadeh Michele Morrone Ex-Wife: The Love Story
Meeting and Romance
Rouba Saadeh met Italian actor Michele Morrone in 2011 when he was visiting Lebanon. At the time, Michele was a struggling actor far from the international fame he would later achieve with the Netflix film “365 Days.” Their meeting was arranged through mutual friends, and despite coming from different cultural backgrounds, they quickly formed a deep connection.
Their relationship developed naturally over the course of several years as they got to know each other. Michele was captivated by Rouba’s intelligence, creativity, and elegant presence, while she appreciated his passion for acting and music. The couple maintained a relatively private relationship, keeping their romance away from media scrutiny.
Marriage and Wedding
Michele Morrone and Rouba Saadeh married in 2014. Their wedding was an intimate affair that reflected their desire for privacy. The couple had two ceremonies: a civil marriage in Italy and a private celebration in Lebanon with approximately 20 guests, consisting only of close family members and friends. Rouba’s sister Abir and Michele’s mother Angela played significant roles in the wedding preparations.
The decision to have ceremonies in both countries honored their respective cultures and families, creating a meaningful union that bridged Italian and Lebanese traditions. Unfortunately, the couple has not shared specific details about the exact date or venue of their wedding, maintaining their preference for keeping personal matters private.
Rouba Saadeh Children: Motherhood and Family Life
Two Sons
Rouba and Michele welcomed two sons during their marriage: Marcus, born in 2014, and Brando, born in 2017. Becoming a mother transformed Rouba’s life, bringing immense joy and a new sense of purpose. She has spoken about how motherhood made her more patient, empathetic, and grounded.
On her Instagram account, Rouba regularly shares glimpses of her life with her boys, allowing her followers to see the softer, more personal side of the fashion designer. Whether celebrating birthdays, enjoying beach days, or spending quiet family time, it’s evident that her sons are the center of her world. Despite her demanding career at Elie Saab, she has successfully maintained a strong presence in her children’s lives.
Co-Parenting After Divorce
Following her divorce from Michele in 2018, Rouba has demonstrated remarkable maturity in co-parenting their sons. Despite the end of their marriage, both parents have maintained a respectful relationship focused on the well-being of Marcus and Brando. Michele has publicly acknowledged the importance of being present in his children’s lives, even as his acting career has taken him around the world.
Rouba has not deleted photos of Michele from her Instagram account, and he continues to comment supportively on her posts, suggesting they have maintained an amicable relationship. This healthy co-parenting dynamic benefits their children, who continue to receive love and attention from both parents. Michele frequently shares photos with his sons on his own social media, showcasing his dedication to fatherhood despite his busy schedule.
The Divorce: Understanding the Separation
Timeline and Reasons
Rouba Saadeh and Michele Morrone divorced in 2018 after four years of marriage. While neither has publicly detailed the specific reasons for their separation, they have both indicated it was a mutual decision. The couple faced challenges common to many modern relationships: demanding careers, time constraints, and evolving personal priorities.
Michele has been more vocal about the emotional impact of the divorce. In a 2020 Instagram post, he revealed he suffered severe depression after divorcing his wife. He wrote candidly about how the separation devastated him, leaving him questioning his career and life choices. Michele admitted that financial difficulties following the divorce forced him to take work as a gardener in a small Italian village to support himself.
However, he also credited this difficult period with eventually leading him to his breakthrough role in “365 Days,” which catapulted him to international fame. His message emphasized resilience and believing in oneself even during the darkest times.
Moving Forward
While Michele has been more open about their separation, Rouba has maintained her characteristic privacy regarding personal matters. She has focused her energy on her career at Elie Saab and raising their two sons. The divorce appears to have been handled with maturity and respect on both sides, with both former spouses prioritizing their children’s welfare above any personal grievances.
Rouba Saadeh Elie Saab: A Professional Partnership
Working with a Fashion Icon
Elie Saab is one of the most celebrated fashion designers in the world, known for his breathtaking haute couture gowns that regularly grace red carpets at major events like the Oscars and Cannes Film Festival. His designs are synonymous with elegance, intricate beading, and sophisticated femininity. Working for such a prestigious brand represents the pinnacle of achievement in the fashion industry.
Rouba’s association with Elie Saab has spanned multiple years and various roles, demonstrating both her talent and her value to the organization. Her progression from assistant to studio manager reflects her deep understanding of the fashion landscape and her ability to lead creative teams effectively.
Current Role and Responsibilities
As the ready-to-wear studio manager at Elie Saab, Rouba holds a position of significant responsibility. Unlike haute couture, which involves one-of-a-kind custom pieces, ready-to-wear collections must balance artistic vision with commercial viability, production scalability, and market trends. This requires a unique skill set combining creativity with business acumen.
In her role, Rouba likely oversees design development, fabric selection, production timelines, quality control, and team management. She must stay ahead of fashion trends while ensuring each collection maintains Elie Saab’s signature aesthetic. Her leadership helps bridge the gap between the creative studio and the commercial realities of running a global fashion brand.
Rouba Saadeh Photos and Social Media Presence
Instagram Influence
With over 160,000 followers on Instagram (@roubasaadeh), Rouba has built a significant social media presence. Her feed offers an authentic glimpse into her multifaceted life, balancing professional achievements with personal moments. She shares photos from fashion events, behind-the-scenes glimpses of her work at Elie Saab, family time with her sons, travel adventures, and everyday moments.
Unlike many celebrity-adjacent figures, Rouba maintains an elegant restraint in her social media presence. Her posts are tasteful and thoughtful, reflecting her professional background in design. She doesn’t oversaturate her feed with sponsored content or overly curated images, instead opting for authenticity that resonates with her audience.
Visual Aesthetic
Rouba’s Instagram aesthetic reflects her professional expertise in fashion and design. Her photos often showcase her refined personal style, featuring elegant outfits that blend contemporary trends with timeless sophistication. Whether attending fashion events in Paris or spending casual days in Beirut, her wardrobe choices demonstrate why she’s considered a style icon in her own right.
She also shares moments from her travels across Lebanon, Italy, France, and other fashion capitals, offering her followers insight into the international lifestyle that comes with working in high-end fashion. Her posts celebrating Lebanese culture and beauty have helped promote her home country to a global audience.
Rouba Saadeh Net Worth: Financial Success
Estimated Wealth
While exact figures are difficult to confirm, various sources estimate Rouba Saadeh’s net worth to be between $500,000 and $2 million as of 2025. This wealth has been accumulated through her various professional endeavors over nearly two decades in the fashion and design industries.
Income Sources
Rouba’s income derives from multiple sources:
- Elie Saab Salary: As a studio manager at one of the world’s leading fashion houses, she likely commands a substantial salary befitting her experience and responsibilities.
- Freelance Work: Her long-running freelance graphic design practice from 2008 to 2021 provided additional income streams.
- Previous Business Ventures: Although Le Paradis Des Fous closed in 2014, her entrepreneurial experience contributed to her overall financial portfolio.
- Design Expertise: Her specialized knowledge in fashion design and brand management makes her a valuable consultant for various projects.
Unlike many who achieve public recognition primarily through relationships with celebrities, Rouba has built her financial independence through her own skills, education, and professional accomplishments. Her net worth reflects years of dedicated work in the competitive fashion industry.
Rouba Saadeh Today: Current Life and Future Prospects
Professional Life in 2025
As of 2025, Rouba continues to thrive in her role as ready-to-wear studio manager at Elie Saab. The fashion house remains at the forefront of global luxury fashion, and Rouba’s contributions help maintain its prestigious reputation. Her work involves overseeing seasonal collections, managing creative teams, and ensuring that Elie Saab’s ready-to-wear line continues to attract discerning customers worldwide.
The fashion industry is constantly evolving, with new challenges like sustainability, digital fashion, and changing consumer preferences. Rouba’s ability to adapt while maintaining the brand’s core values demonstrates her professional versatility and forward-thinking approach.
Personal Life
Regarding her romantic life, Rouba has maintained complete privacy since her divorce. There have been no confirmed reports of her dating anyone, and her social media provides no hints about a new relationship. She appears content focusing on her career and raising her two sons, demonstrating that fulfillment doesn’t necessarily require a romantic partnership.
Her relationship with her ex-husband Michele remains cordial and focused on co-parenting. Both have moved forward with their lives while maintaining respect for each other and prioritizing their children’s wellbeing. Michele has occasionally been linked to other romantic interests, but Rouba has kept any personal relationships entirely private.
Future Aspirations
While Rouba hasn’t publicly discussed her long-term plans, her trajectory suggests continued growth in the fashion industry. Possibilities include:
- Further advancement within Elie Saab’s organizational structure
- Potential return to entrepreneurship with a new fashion venture
- Expansion into fashion consulting or creative direction for other brands
- Mentoring emerging designers, particularly from the Middle East region
Rouba Saadeh Lebanon: Cultural Identity and Heritage
Lebanese Roots
Beirut, where Rouba was born and raised, has long been considered the Paris of the Middle East, known for its vibrant culture, sophisticated population, and thriving creative scene. Despite periods of political instability, Lebanon has produced some of the world’s most talented designers, artists, and entertainers. Rouba represents this rich cultural tradition.
Her Lebanese identity permeates her work and personal style. The Middle Eastern appreciation for elegance, hospitality, and family values is evident in how she conducts her personal and professional life. She regularly shares images celebrating Lebanese landscapes, cuisine, and cultural events, helping to showcase her country’s beauty to her international followers.
Current Residence
Rouba currently resides in Lebanon, though her work requires frequent travel to fashion capitals like Paris, Milan, and other European cities. This international lifestyle allows her to maintain her Lebanese roots while remaining connected to global fashion trends. Her children are being raised with an appreciation for both their Lebanese and Italian heritage, benefiting from their multicultural background.
Lebanon’s fashion industry has gained international recognition partly due to designers like Elie Saab, Zuhair Murad, and others who have put the country on the global fashion map. Rouba’s work contributes to this legacy, helping to maintain Lebanon’s reputation as a source of exceptional creative talent.
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Personal Style and Fashion Philosophy
Design Aesthetic
As someone who works at the highest levels of fashion and has launched her own concept store, Rouba possesses a sophisticated understanding of style. Her personal wardrobe reflects a preference for elegant, timeless pieces rather than fleeting trends. She often wears understated luxury items that showcase quality craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Her style can be described as refined elegance with subtle Middle Eastern influences. She gravitates toward clean lines, quality fabrics, and neutral palettes punctuated with strategic color choices. Whether dressed for a professional event or a casual outing with her sons, she maintains a polished appearance that reflects her professional expertise.
Influence on Emerging Designers
Through her work at Le Paradis Des Fous and her current position at Elie Saab, Rouba has influenced emerging designers by providing platforms and mentorship. Her belief in supporting new talent reflects a generous spirit and an understanding that the fashion industry thrives on fresh perspectives and innovative approaches.
Lessons from Rouba Saadeh’s Journey
Resilience and Reinvention
Rouba’s story offers several inspiring lessons. First, she demonstrates the importance of continuous education and professional development. Her willingness to pursue additional training in fashion design at prestigious institutions, even after earning her degrees, shows a commitment to excellence.
Second, her ability to balance multiple roles—mother, fashion professional, entrepreneur—illustrates the complex reality of modern women’s lives. While she took time away from her career to focus on family, she successfully returned to professional life and achieved even greater success.
Maintaining Privacy in the Public Eye
In an era of oversharing on social media, Rouba’s measured approach to public life is refreshing. She shares enough to connect with her audience while maintaining boundaries that protect her personal life and her children’s privacy. This balance allows her to leverage social media’s benefits without sacrificing her dignity or family’s security.
Co-Parenting with Grace
Perhaps most admirably, Rouba has demonstrated how to handle divorce with maturity and grace. Rather than engaging in public disputes or using her children as pawns, she has maintained a respectful relationship with her ex-husband for their sons’ benefit. This approach should serve as a model for others navigating similar situations.
Conclusion
Rouba Saadeh’s biography reveals far more than the story of a celebrity’s ex-wife. She is an accomplished fashion designer, successful entrepreneur, dedicated mother, and respected professional in one of the world’s most competitive industries. Her journey from Beirut to working alongside legendary designer Elie Saab demonstrates the power of education, persistence, and creative vision.
At 38 years old, Rouba has already achieved what many fashion professionals aspire to throughout their entire careers. Her work at Elie Saab influences global fashion trends, her role as a mother shapes the next generation, and her dignified handling of personal challenges provides an example of grace under pressure.
While her marriage to Michele Morrone brought her into the public eye, Rouba’s accomplishments stand entirely on their own merit. Her estimated net worth of up to $2 million reflects years of hard work and professional achievement. Her 160,000 Instagram followers appreciate not just her connection to celebrity but her authentic representation of a successful, independent woman balancing career and family.
As she continues her work in Lebanon and beyond, Rouba Saadeh remains an inspiring figure for young designers, working mothers, and anyone navigating the complexities of modern life. Her story reminds us that identity cannot be confined to relationships or external labels—it is defined by personal accomplishments, professional contributions, and the positive impact we have on those around us.
Whether she’s managing design teams at Elie Saab, spending quality time with her sons, or sharing glimpses of Lebanese culture with her global audience, Rouba Saadeh continues to write her own narrative—one of elegance, resilience, and quiet strength.
