Zuleyka Rivera

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Zuleyka Rivera Mendoza
Background information <tr><td>Also known as</td><td colspan="2">Zuly</td></tr><tr><td>Born</td><td colspan="2">October 3, 1987</td></tr><tr><td>Origin</td><td colspan="2">Salinas, Puerto Rico</td></tr><tr><td>Occupation(s)</td><td colspan="2">Miss Universe, Model</td></tr><tr><td>Website</td><td colspan="2">Zuleyka Rivera's Miss Universe Contestant Profile</td></tr>

Zuleyka Jerris Rivera Mendoza (born October 3, 1987 in Cayey, Puerto Rico, but raised in Salinas, Puerto Rico) is a beauty queen who has held the titles Miss Puerto Rico Universe and Miss Universe 2006.

1 Miss Universe 2006
2 A Year in the life as Miss Universe
3 Background & Family
4 References

[edit] Miss Universe 2006

Image:ZuleykaRivera.jpg

Rivera won the title during the Miss Universe 2006 pageant, which was televised live internationally from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California on July 23, 2006. She is the fifth Puerto Rican to win the title, and makes the Miss Puerto Rico Organization the second most successful in the pageant (behind the United States). Prior to Rivera's win, Puerto Rico had been tied with Venezuela, each having won the pageant four times.

Rivera's win comes only five years after Denise Quiñones, the most recent winner from Puerto Rico, won the crown. Rivera was crowned by Natalie Glebova of Canada, Miss Universe 2005. Later that evening, Rivera fainted briefly during a press appearance. The incident was reportedly attributed to heat exhaustion (from the stage lights) coupled with the weight of the heavy, chained dress she was wearing. [1]

As Miss Universe, Rivera will represent the Miss Universe Organization, both in the United States and internationally. She will be based in New York City, where she will share an apartment with Tara Conner, Miss USA and Katie Blair, Miss Teen USA 2006.

[edit] A Year in the life as Miss Universe

After being crowned on July 23, 2006 in Los Angeles, Zuleyka was interviewed by many news teams in Los Angeles and when she arrived at her new home in New York.

From the end of July until early August, Zuleyka traveled to Japan where she presented the Five Star Diamond Award to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Tokyo. She also participated in a photo shoot with Kurara Chibana, Miss Universe Japan (and 1st runner up), and Zuleyka also visited Mikimoto, the creators of her dazzling crown. In late August, Zuleyka traveled to Indonesia where she attended the opening of a new spa, met with the Minister of Culture, and attended the Miss Indonesia Universe pageant where Agni Pratistha was crowned. While in Indonesia, Zuleyka also visited Bali. On September 4, 2006, Zuleyka returned to her home, Puerto Rico for an official homecoming celebration and parade. The following day, Zuleyka returned to her hometown of Salinas.[2].

As of October 2006, Zuleyka has traveled to Greece, Kazakhstan, and India, in addition to Japan, Indonesia, and her home island of Puerto Rico.

[edit] Background & Family

Prior to winning the Miss Puerto Rico title she won the local pageant for her hometown of Salinas. She had also placed as the first runner-up in the Miss Teen Puerto Rico pageant. Only eighteen years of age when she was crowned Miss Universe, Rivera is one of the youngest women to win the title. She is also the first winner from Puerto Rico of mixed heritage, as her four predecessors (Marisol Malaret, Deborah Carthy-Deu, Dayanara Torres, and Denise Quinones) all have distinctly European features.

[edit] References

Preceded by: Cynthia Olavarria	Miss Puerto Rico 2006	Succeeded by: Marilyn Bartolomei
Preceded by: Natalie Glebova	Miss Universe 2006	Succeeded by: Incumbent

Miss Universe Organization Titleholders 2006
Miss Universe Zuleyka Rivera	Miss USA Tara Conner	Miss Teen USA Katie Blair

Big Four Pageants Titleholders 2006
Miss Universe Zuleyka Rivera	Miss World Taťána Kuchařová	Miss Earth Hil Hernandez	Miss International Daniela di Giacomo