Sonia Rolland was born in Kigali, Rwanda, to a Rwandese mother, Landrada, and a French father, Jacques. Her family fled to neighboring Burundi in 1990, just before the civil war started, and the subsequent Tutsi genocide in 1994.
Prior to the ethnic war between Hutus and Tutsis in Burundi, the family decided to leave their family business, a printing company, and move to France. Sonia grew up in Burgundy.
In 1999, Sonia was elected Miss Burgundy, which opened the door for her to compete in the Miss France beauty contest. She went on to win the title of Miss France 2000, with over 8 million phone voters deciding her fate. She also finished 9th at the Miss Universe beauty contest.
Sonia's fame spread not only in France but also in Africa, where many heads of state considered her an excellent ambassador for the continent. She was the first Miss France to come from Africa.
In 2001, Sonia founded an association to help orphans in Africa, particularly street kids in Rwanda after the genocide. The same year, she was welcomed back in Kigali by a crowd, along with her family, as a symbol of the fragile but strengthening peace in Rwanda.
Sonia has since become a successful actress, starring in films and television shows, including "Les pygmés de Carlo" for ARTE and the police TV series "Lea Parker." She has also appeared in numerous prime-time shows and has been a representative for French cosmetic brand Mixa from L'Oreal.
Sonia is a mother of two girls and lives with actor/director Jalil Lespert.
