Vietnamese audiences first came to know Mimi Morris through the reality series Bling Empire, and later through her appearances in Vietnam as a beauty pageanttry judge.
Born during the war, having experienced both success and failure before the age of 30, Mimi Moris arrived in the United States with nothing. More than three decades later, she is recognized as a successful entrepreneur with a passion for real estate, design, and luxury living.
Yet behind the multi-million-dollar homes and exceptional fashion collection is a story of perseverance, reinvention, and an unwavering belief that true success always comes at a price.
HARPER’S BAZAAR: Could you share a few memories of your childhood in Vietnam?
MIMI MORRIS: First of all, congratulations to Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam on your 15th anniversary. It is a great honor to appear on the cover of this special issue. What touches me even more is celebrating this important milestone with Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam in my homeland, where my childhood memories were made and where I became the person I am today.
I was born in Lâm Đồng, grew up during the war, and had a very difficult childhood. I started my own business at a young age, but after it failed, I decided to move to the United States in search of a new opportunity.
HARPER’S BAZAAR: What was the biggest difference between life in America and life in Vietnam?
MIMI MORRIS: Everything was different: the lifestyle, the way people worked, the whole system. My life was completely turned upside down, and the first years were incredibly difficult. The biggest challenge was the language. I had to learn everything all over again from the beginning and earn the licenses required to work. In Vietnam, if you wanted to do something, you simply did it.
In America, you have to study, earn the qualifications, and then you’re allowed to work. I think most people who move to the U.S. struggle through the first ten years.
HARPER’S BAZAAR: What was the very first thing you learned after arriving in America?
MIMI MORRIS: Getting my driver’s license! That was the most important thing. After that, I worked wherever I could. I did every kind of job, including waiting tables in restaurants, just to support myself. As a single mother, I handled everything on my own. I never depended on anyone, so life was truly difficult. Looking back, my life feels like a movie. If you want to succeed, you have to overcome challenges. No one reaches the top overnight.
HARPER’S BAZAAR: We’ve heard that real estate is one of your greatest passions. Could you tell us more about it?
MIMI MORRIS: I love building and investing in homes. But sometimes, when a house turns out too beautiful, I don’t want to sell it anymore! Right now, I’m building a luxury beachfront home. It’s been an enormous project. I’ve devoted five years of my life to it and barely had time to go anywhere. I designed it myself, so I have to be there and pay attention to every detail. Creating a truly luxurious home requires both knowledge and experience.
HARPER’S BAZAAR: What makes a home truly luxurious in your opinion?
MIMI MORRIS: I think there are three essential elements: location, the designer’s vision, and experience. The property has to be in an exceptional location that’s difficult to acquire.
As for the house itself, what truly defines luxury is uniqueness. Every detail, from the architecture and interiors to the materials and finishes, has to be of the highest quality and carefully selected. I always try to create a home where people immediately feel that there is nothing else quite like it.
HARPER’S BAZAAR: So uniqueness is the most important element?
MIMI MORRIS: Absolutely. For me, luxury begins with originality. A home should have its own identity. It shouldn’t look like anything else. That’s what gives it lasting value.
HARPER’S BAZAAR: When you walk into a home, what catches your attention first?
MIMI MORRIS: The light.
I especially love homes filled with natural light. The moment I walk into a bright, sunlit space, I immediately feel relaxed and comfortable. I love houses where you hardly need to switch on the lights during the day, where sunlight reaches every corner from morning until evening.
HARPER’S BAZAAR: Your Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam editorial beautifully captures the spirit of Haute Couture. What does Haute Couture mean to you?
MIMI MORRIS: To me, Haute Couture is much more than fashion. It’s art.
It’s the extraordinary craftsmanship, dedication, and imagination of the world’s greatest designers, including many talented designers from Vietnam. Every couture piece tells its own story and represents the highest level of creativity. In this editorial, I especially loved the designs that combined strong structure with softness and femininity. They reflect who I am: a woman who has learned to be strong in life while never losing her appreciation for grace, elegance, and femininity.
HARPER’S BAZAAR: People often see you wearing Chanel, Dior, and Hermès. Which brand reflects your personality the most?
MIMI MORRIS: I love Chanel, Dior, and Hermès because each represents a different side of who I am as a woman.
Chanel embodies timeless elegance and the independence of the modern woman. Dior captivates me with its romance, femininity, and extraordinary craftsmanship. Hermès represents excellence, enduring quality, and timeless value for generations.
What I look for in fashion isn’t showing off. It’s the ability to tell my own story through what I wear. Fashion should always reflect who you truly are. When an outfit makes you feel confident and happy, that’s when fashion has its greatest meaning.
HARPER’S BAZAAR: In this editorial, you posed with many of your family’s luxury cars. You must be quite a car enthusiast?
MIMI MORRIS: I am! (Laughs.) To me, a car is much more than transportation. Every car represents a different chapter in our family’s life and carries its own memories. What I appreciate most isn’t the price of the car. It’s the sense of freedom, the precision of the drive, and the special energy I feel every time I’m behind the wheel.
HARPER’S BAZAAR: Would you describe yourself as someone who loves speed?
MIMI MORRIS: Not really. I love driving, but I enjoy it in a relaxed way. I enjoy the luxury of the experience more than speed itself.
HARPER’S BAZAAR: It seems you have a deep appreciation for luxury?
MIMI MORRIS: I do love luxury, but perhaps it’s more accurate to say that I love art, beauty, and things that are created with exceptional craftsmanship and genuine passion.
HARPER’S BAZAAR: We’ve heard you enjoy traveling by private jet and have even flown to Vietnam on one. How is the experience different from commercial flights?
MIMI MORRIS: What I love most about flying privately is the flexibility and privacy. It’s one of the rare moments when I can set work aside, read a book, reflect, or simply enjoy the quiet.
Looking down at the world from above always fills me with a sense of gratitude. It reminds me how vast life is and how much there is still to learn, to grow, and to appreciate.
HARPER’S BAZAAR: Despite being a billionaire and reality television star, you remain a very traditional woman.
MIMI MORRIS: A woman’s greatest success isn’t measured by what she owns. It’s measured by the happiness she creates within her family. No matter how busy I am, I always make time for my husband and children. I enjoy preparing breakfast, taking care of my family, and being together.
Don has always been supportive. When he saw this Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam editorial, he told me he was proud not only of what I’ve achieved, but that I’ve never lost the family values we’ve always cherished.
HARPER’S BAZAAR: What did Bling Empire teach you?
MIMI MORRIS: I learned a great deal about people. Life has many different perspectives, and not everyone sees it the same way. The show also reinforced the importance of authenticity. I’m not an actress, and I’m not good at pretending to be someone else. I choose to be myself, whether the cameras are rolling or not. I also never want to hurt anyone. Fame comes and goes, but your character and the way you treat people are what truly last.
HARPER’S BAZAAR: After everything you’ve experienced, what is the most valuable lesson life has taught you?
MIMI MORRIS: Never lose faith in yourself.
Success never happens overnight. Perseverance, discipline, hard work, and gratitude have carried me through every challenge. I always remind myself that where you begin does not determine where you’ll end up. What matters is the choice you make to keep moving forward every single day.
HARPER’S BAZAAR: Finally, what message would you like to share with Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam and its readers?
MIMI MORRIS: My warmest congratulations to everyone who has helped build Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam into one of the country’s leading fashion publications. And my heartfelt thanks to all the readers who have supported me over the years.
I hope my journey, from hardship to the life I have today, can inspire others to believe in themselves and keep pursuing their own dreams.
Photographer: FRANÇOIS-XAVIER WATINE
Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam
