Zuleyka Rivera

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Zuleyka Jerrís 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.

Miss Universe 2006

[[Image:ZuleykaRivera.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Rivera winning 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 represents the Miss Universe Organization, both in the United States and internationally. She is based in New York City, where she shared an apartment with Tara Conner, Miss USA and Katie Blair, Miss Teen USA 2006.

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 first 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 December 2006, Zuleyka has traveled to Russia, Turkey, France, Greece, Kazakhstan, and India, in addition to Japan, Indonesia, and Puerto Rico.

Family and Personal Life

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 to have noticeable mixed heritage features, as her four predecessors (Marisol Malaret, Deborah Carthy-Deu, Dayanara Torres, and Denise Quinones) all have distinctly European features.

In the December 8, 2006 edition of the New York Post's popular gossip page, Page Six, it was reported that Rivera was seen having a very intimate dinner with San Juan club owner Shimmy McHugh at a popular New York City restaurant. A close friend of McHugh confirmed to the newspaper that Rivera and McHugh are currently dating. [3]

Notes

References

NY Daily News: Queen is way out of line - Failed test for coke, kissy with teen missy Miss USA (accessed 17-12-2006)

Preceded by Cynthia Olavarria	Miss Puerto Rico 2006	Succeeded by Uma Blasini
Preceded by Natalie Glebova	Miss Universe 2006	Succeeded by Incumbent