The night was cold in northern China when a small bundle was left at the doorstep of an orphanage. Wrapped in thin cloth, the baby girl whimpered softly, her pale skin glowing almost unnaturally under the dim streetlight. To her parents, she looked “too different”—so different, in fact, that they believed she would never be accepted by society. And so, they walked away, leaving their infant daughter behind, her future uncertain, her fate left in the hands of strangers.
That baby was Xueli Abbing. Born with albinism, a genetic condition that affects the production of melanin, she was abandoned not because of illness, but because of fear, stigma, and ignorance.
Her story could have ended in tragedy right there, but it didn’t. Instead, it became the beginning of a journey that would inspire millions.
A Name with Meaning
At the orphanage, staff members quickly noticed her unusual features—milky white skin, hair as pale as snow, and eyes sensitive to light. Rather than pity, they gave her something priceless: a name filled with hope.
They called her Xueli.
In Chinese, Xue means “snow,” symbolizing purity and resilience, while Li means “beautiful.” Together, her name meant “snow-white beauty.” Even in the face of rejection, she was given an identity that affirmed her uniqueness rather than diminishing it.
But the world outside was not always so kind.
The Harsh Reality of Albinism
Albinism is a rare genetic condition that reduces melanin in the skin, hair, and eyes. Beyond its physical appearance, it often comes with severe challenges—extreme sensitivity to sunlight, impaired vision, and in many cultures, unbearable stigma.
In parts of Africa, children with albinism are hunted for their bones, believed by cruel myths to hold magical healing powers. In other societies, they are seen as cursed, shunned by communities, or hidden away by families ashamed of their “unusual” children.
Xueli herself later reflected with startling clarity:
“I’m lucky I was only abandoned.”
Her words carry the weight of truth. For countless others, the cost of looking different has been far greater.
A New Beginning in the Netherlands
For the first few years of her life, Xueli lived at the orphanage. Then, a miracle came—one that would completely alter her destiny.
A kind Dutch family traveled to China, searching not for a “perfect” child, but for a child to love. When they met Xueli, they saw not a condition, not a stigma, but a daughter. They adopted her and took her to the Netherlands, giving her the gift of a family and a home where difference was not hidden but celebrated.
In her new country, Xueli thrived. Though she faced challenges with her eyesight and sensitivity to light, she grew up surrounded by encouragement and care. The Netherlands gave her something her birth parents never could: a place where she belonged.
The Unexpected Turn: From Orphan to Runway
By age 11, Xueli’s life took a turn no one could have predicted. A fashion designer in Hong Kong was organizing a campaign to highlight what he called “perfect imperfections.” He invited Xueli to participate, curious to showcase beauty beyond conventional standards.
For Xueli, the experience was surreal. She stepped onto a runway for the very first time, walking in front of bright lights, cameras, and audiences. For a girl once left at an orphanage door for being “too different,” this was nothing short of revolutionary.
“It was a fantastic experience,” she later told the BBC.
That first photoshoot opened doors. Soon after, a London-based photographer discovered her and became her mentor, ensuring she was not only photographed with respect but also protected in an industry notorious for exploitation.
Breaking Into Fashion’s Biggest Stage
The mentorship paid off. In June 2019, Xueli achieved what many models spend a lifetime chasing: she was featured in Vogue Italia.
“At the time, I didn’t even know what Vogue was,” she admitted with a laugh. “I didn’t understand why everyone was so excited.”
It wasn’t just a personal victory. Her appearance in one of the world’s most prestigious fashion magazines sent a message to the industry—and the world—that beauty does not come in a single mold.
Critics of the fashion world have long accused it of glorifying unattainable ideals: tall, thin, flawless. But slowly, figures like Xueli began to shift that narrative. Models with vitiligo, Down syndrome, prosthetic limbs, and now albinism started to appear on global platforms. The message was clear: diversity isn’t a trend—it’s reality.
Still, Xueli was quick to point out that progress is incomplete.
“There are still models who are eight foot two and skinny, but now people with disabilities or differences are featured more in the media. This is great—but it should be normal.”
Seeing Beyond Appearances
Because of her albinism, Xueli has limited vision. But what many see as a limitation, she transformed into a unique perspective on humanity.
“Maybe because I cannot see everything properly,” she explained, “I focus more on people’s voices and what they have to say. So their inner beauty is more important to me.”
Her words strike at the heart of society’s obsession with appearances. While most of the world judges at a glance, Xueli listens, observes, and values character over aesthetics.
Facing Stigma with Strength
Though Xueli found love and opportunity in the Netherlands, she never forgot the darker reality faced by others with albinism. In countries where myths about albinism persist, children are in grave danger.
Her advocacy is clear and unyielding:
“I won’t consent to the idea that children are being killed because they are albinos. I want to transform the world.”
Part of her mission is changing language itself. She prefers “person with albinism” over “albino,” emphasizing that no one should be reduced to their condition. Identity comes first; albinism is just a part of who they are.
Through interviews, campaigns, and her platform in fashion, Xueli speaks out for those who cannot. Her presence alone challenges prejudice. Her voice insists on dignity.
Family, Resilience, and the Power of Choice
Behind the glamor of fashion shoots and magazine covers lies a deeper story of resilience. Xueli could have grown up believing the lie her birth parents told with their abandonment—that she was too strange to be loved. Instead, through the kindness of her adoptive family and her own courage, she turned her difference into her strength.
Her adoptive mother often says, “We didn’t save Xueli. She saved us.” In embracing her, they discovered new dimensions of love, patience, and the beauty of individuality.
A Symbol of Change
Now in her late teens, Xueli Abbing is more than a model. She is a voice for inclusivity, a symbol of resilience, and a reminder of how cruel ignorance can be—and how powerful acceptance is.
From the doorstep of a Chinese orphanage to the glossy pages of Vogue, her journey challenges society to reexamine its definitions of beauty and worth.
For the little girl once abandoned for being “too different,” the irony is sharp: today, the very feature that caused her rejection is the one that propels her onto global stages.
And she’s only getting started.
The Lesson of Xueli’s Life
Xueli’s story carries a lesson for all of us. Difference is not a flaw; it’s a gift. Stigma can wound, but resilience can transform scars into strength. True beauty, as she shows us, isn’t about fitting in—it’s about standing out.
As she continues to advocate for awareness, safety, and dignity for people with albinism, her voice becomes part of something larger: a movement for acceptance worldwide.
So the next time society dares to call someone “too different,” let them remember the girl who was abandoned, yet rose to the heights of fashion and advocacy. Let them remember Xueli Abbing—the snow-white beauty who turned rejection into revolution.