Beauty with a caring heart Miss World Vanessa Ponce Photo by EDDIE CHICCO
Multitasker: Vanessa Ponce De Leon, the reigning Miss World 2018/19, is here to grace today’s Miss Uganda finale event as a special guest. Esther Oluka compiles some of the things you may not know about the current Queen.
Winning Miss World calls for more than beauty and grace, the character, intelligence and ways contestants react to world sitiuations usually comes into play.
She is 27 years old, and the first Mexican to ever win the prestigious title of Miss World. The beauty Queen holds a degree in International Business from the University of Guanajuato, Mexico. After completing University, she worked with different non-profit organisations for respective causes, including serving migrants and helping improve the lives of children in her native home. She is fluent in both English and Spanish languages.
Secret life of Vanessa
Despite her global fame, her relationship life is hardly known. She is noted to be very guarded regarding this aspect of her life. But, at least we know that she is not married and has no children. It’s one of the requirements for reigning queens.
Some of her favourite hobbies include scuba diving and playing volley ball. She is known as an ardent lover of art and paints during her free time. Leon is also a model and in fact competed in the Mexico’s Next Top Model competition in 2014.
Close to Abenakyo
She shares a special friendship with Quinn Abenakyo, Miss Uganda 2018/19 who is also Miss World Africa 2018/19. Leon revealed their special bond during an evening press conference that was held at Sheraton Kampala Hotel on July 23, the day of her arrival into the country. The duo bonded during last year’s Miss World competition where they talked about their respective beauty with a purpose projects.
Passion for the less previleged
Back home in Mexico, Ponce is passionate on matters regarding children including ensuring they get an education. She is also on the board of directors for a rehab centre for girls in her home country.
Beauty with brains
Remember the Miss World Finale that was held last year in December? She gave a well thoughtout response after the judges asked how she would use her influence to help others, if she became Miss World. Here is what she said,
“I would use my position just the way I’ve been doing for the past three years-being an example. We can all be an example of the good in the world, we all have to care, we all have to love, we all have to be kind. It doesn’t cost a thing. Helping is not that hard. We just really need the world to make a change. There’s always someone that’ll need what you have to offer.”
Alongside other responsibilities that come with being Miss World, Ponce is also the face of a fundraising campaign, founded by Miss World head, Julia Morley, that gives money to charity organisations around the world.