At just 25 years of age, Meseret has already established a historic career. The Olympic 5000 meter champion from the 2004 Athens Olympics has gone on a world record binge over the last two years. In 2006, Meseret broke the world record for 5000 meters in New York City, and then slashed that mark by almost eight seconds to finish in 14:16.63 at the Exxon Mobil Bislett Games in Oslo, Norway. Meseret also holds the world 5K road record of 14:46 set at the 2006 Carlsbad 5000 in California. In January 2008, Meseret ran a time of 9:10.50 in the 2-mile event at the Reebok Boston Indoor Meet, establishing a new 2-mile indoor world best time. She was also voted female World Athlete of the Year by the IAAF in 2007.
Meseret lives in Addis Ababa with her husband Teodros Hailu, a former soccer player. Her success has enabled her to extend her influence beyond running. In 2004, she was appointed the UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador for Ethiopia. Begun in 1969 and renamed in 1987, the United Nations Population Fund is the world's largest international source of funding for population and reproductive health programs.
On a personal level, Meseret has proven to be more than just a good role model. She and husband, Teodros, adopted a young girl after her birth mother, a cousin of Meseret’s, left her in the couple’s care.