Mónica Spear facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mónica Spear
Born	Mónica Spear Mootz (1984-10-01)1 October 1984 Maracaibo, Zulia, Venezuela
Died	6 January 2014(2014-01-06) (aged 29) Puerto Cabello, Carabobo, Venezuela
Alma mater	University of Central Florida
Title	Miss Venezuela 2004
Beauty pageant titleholder
Major competition(s)	Miss Venezuela 2004 (Winner) Miss Universe 2005 (4th Runner-Up)

Mónica Spear Mootz (born October 1, 1984 – died January 6, 2014) was a famous Venezuelan actress and model. She was also a beauty queen who won the Miss Venezuela 2004 pageant. After winning, she represented Venezuela in the Miss Universe 2005 competition. There, she placed as the 4th runner-up, which means she was the fifth person chosen.

Becoming Miss Venezuela

Winning the National Crown

Mónica Spear competed in the Miss Venezuela 2004 pageant. She won the main title, becoming Miss Venezuela. This win meant she would represent her country on a global stage.

Competing in Miss Universe

After winning Miss Venezuela, Mónica went on to compete in Miss Universe 2005. This big event took place in Bangkok, Thailand. Venezuela had not placed in the top 15 the year before. Mónica made sure Venezuela was back in the top group. She did well in the swimsuit and evening gown parts of the competition. She ended up as the 4th runner-up in the whole contest.

About Mónica's Life

Early Life and Family

Mónica Spear Mootz was born to Rafael Spear Tudares and Ingeborg Mootz Gotera. Her mother's family came from Germany. Her father's family had roots in England.

In 2000, Mónica's family moved to Orlando, Florida. Her mother, Ingeborg, had retired from her job with an oil company in Venezuela. Her father, Rafael, worked as an engineer.

Education and Return to Venezuela

Before becoming a beauty queen, Mónica studied at the University of Central Florida. She earned a bachelor's degree in theater. After finishing her studies, she returned to Venezuela. She went back to compete in the Miss Venezuela pageant.

During a breakfast with the press after the pageant, she was asked about her favorite Venezuelan writer. She mentioned Gabriel García Márquez, who is actually a Colombian writer. This caused a bit of a stir. On September 15, 2005, Mónica crowned her successor, Jictzad Viña, as the new Miss Venezuela.

Marriage and Daughter

In June 2008, Mónica married Thomas Henry Berry, a British businessman. Later that same year, they welcomed their daughter into the world. The couple divorced in 2012. However, they remained good friends. At the time of their deaths, they were trying to get back together. Mónica was also a naturalized United States citizen. She lived in Miami, Florida. She was a cousin of Jossie Nikita Marques Spear, who is also a Venezuelan model. Mónica could speak Spanish, English, and French very well.

Her Acting Career

Becoming a Telenovela Star

After working as a model, Mónica Spear became a very successful actress in Venezuela. She was known for her main roles in telenovelas, which are like long TV soap operas. Her first big role was in the RCTV telenovela Mi Prima Ciela (My Cousin Ciela). In this show, she played a high school student who was battling leukemia. The show was very popular in Venezuela and other parts of South America. It was also shown in the US.

In 2010, Mónica had the main role in Venevisión's telenovela La Mujer Perfecta. She also had a lead role in Flor Salvaje. This was a Spanish-language telenovela made by Telemundo, a TV network based in Miami. Mónica had lived in Miami since she started working for Telemundo.

Honoring Mónica's Legacy

After her passing, the Venezuelan channel Venevisión honored Mónica. They broadcast La Mujer Perfecta again. They also supported a foundation that helps people with Asperger syndrome. A special TV show about Mónica Spear was also aired. It was hosted by former Miss Venezuela and actress Mariangel Ruiz.

Mónica's Passing

On January 6, 2014, Mónica Spear was on vacation in her home country of Venezuela. She was with her ex-husband and their five-year-old daughter. Their car broke down on a highway in central Carabobo. While they were waiting for help, they were attacked during a robbery attempt. Mónica and her ex-husband were killed. Their daughter was shot and wounded in the leg. Police said the event happened around 9 or 10 p.m. It is believed that the thieves tried to rob them, and the couple tried to resist.

Investigation and Aftermath

Soon after the incident, on January 8, 2014, seven people were arrested. They were believed to be involved in the murder. The police also took items that were thought to belong to Mónica and her ex-husband.

Mónica's daughter has been living with her grandparents since her parents passed away. The President of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, helped Mónica's parents fly from Florida to Venezuela. This allowed them to be with their granddaughter.

After two years, six of the people involved in the murder received sentences. Three men were sentenced to more than 30 years in prison. Another person received a 10-year sentence for being an accomplice. Four other people involved were sentenced to between 24 and 26 years for the murder.

Filmography

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Mónica Spear para niños

• List of Miss Venezuela titleholders
• List of Miss Venezuela Special Awards