Zuleyka Rivera facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Zuleyka Rivera
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Zuleyka Rivera, Miss Universe 2006
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| Born |
Zuleyka Jerrís Rivera Mendoza
October 3, 1987 |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 2006–present |
| Height | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) |
| Title | Miss Salinas Teen 2002 Miss Salinas Universe 2006 Miss Puerto Rico Universe 2006 Miss Universe 2006 |
| Children | 1 |
| Beauty pageant titleholder | |
| Hair color | Brown |
| Eye color | Brown |
| Major competition(s) |
Miss Puerto Rico Teen 2002 (1st Runner-up) Miss Puerto Rico Universe 2006 (Winner) Miss Universe 2006 (Winner) |
Zuleyka Jerrís Rivera Mendoza (born October 3, 1987) is a famous person from Puerto Rico. She is an actress, TV host, dancer, and model. She is best known for winning the Miss Universe 2006 beauty pageant. Before that, she was crowned Miss Puerto Rico Universe 2006. Zuleyka also started acting in TV shows called telenovelas in 2007. She even appeared in the music video for the popular song "Despacito" by Luis Fonsi in 2017.
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Early Life and Pageant Beginnings
Zuleyka Rivera was born in Cayey, Puerto Rico. She grew up in Salinas with her parents, Jerry Rivera and Carmen Mendoza. She also has two brothers, Jerry Jr. and Jose.
Before becoming Miss Puerto Rico, she won a local beauty contest in her hometown of Salinas. She also placed second in the Miss Teen Puerto Rico pageant. Zuleyka was only 18 years old when she won Miss Universe. This made her one of the youngest winners ever.
Becoming Miss Universe
Miss Puerto Rico Universe 2006
Zuleyka represented her hometown of Salinas in the Miss Puerto Rico Universe 2006 contest. This event took place on November 10, 2005. She won the title, taking the crown from Cynthia Olavarría. Cynthia had been the first runner-up in Miss Universe 2005.
Winning Miss Universe 2006
Rivera then represented Puerto Rico in the Miss Universe 2006 pageant. This big event was shown live on TV from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. It happened on July 23, 2006.
After showing off in a swimsuit, evening gown, and answering interview questions, she was crowned Miss Universe. The previous winner, Natalie Glebova from Canada, placed the crown on her head. Zuleyka was the youngest Miss Universe winner since Amelia Vega in 2003.
Later that night, Zuleyka briefly fainted during a press event. This happened because of the hot stage lights and the heavy dress she was wearing.
Zuleyka was the fifth person from Puerto Rico to win the Miss Universe title. This makes Puerto Rico one of the most successful places in the pageant's history. She was also the third person from Puerto Rico in a row to reach the Top 5 at Miss Universe.
Her Time as Miss Universe
After winning on July 23, 2006, Zuleyka was interviewed by many news teams. She also settled into her new home in New York City.
From late July to early August, Zuleyka traveled to Japan. There, she presented an award to a hotel in Tokyo. She also did a photo shoot with Kurara Chibana, who was Miss Universe Japan and the first runner-up. They visited Mikimoto, the company that made her beautiful crown.
In late August, Zuleyka went to Indonesia. She attended the opening of a new spa and met with the Minister of Culture. She also went to the Miss Indonesia Universe pageant. While in Indonesia, Zuleyka visited Bali. On September 4, 2006, Zuleyka returned home to Puerto Rico for a special celebration and parade. The next day, she visited her hometown of Salinas.
During her reign, Zuleyka traveled to many countries. These included the Czech Republic, France, Italy, Russia, Spain, Turkey, Greece, Kazakhstan, India, Mexico, Thailand, and Brazil. She also made many trips around the United States.
On April 1, 2007, Zuleyka appeared at WrestleMania 23. She was there with Miss USA 2007 Rachel Smith and Miss Teen USA 2006 Katie Blair. They supported Donald Trump in a special wrestling match.
She passed her crown to Riyo Mori from Japan at the Miss Universe 2007 pageant. This event took place in Mexico City, Mexico, on May 28, 2007. Her time as Miss Universe lasted only 10 months, which is one of the shortest reigns in the contest's history.
Acting Career
After her time as Miss Universe ended, Zuleyka wanted to become an actress. Her first acting role was in the 2007 TV show Dame Chocolate. In 2010, she played a bad guy, Rocío Lynch, in the show Alguien Te Mira. Later that year, she played another bad guy, Diana del Valle, in Aurora.
After taking a break, Zuleyka returned to acting in 2012. She had a main role in Rosario, where she again played the bad guy, Sandra Díaz. Zuleyka has said she is good at playing these kinds of roles. In 2013, she announced she would play the main bad guy in the show Cosita linda.
Zuleyka also had a small part in the movie Runner, Runner.
Personal Life
From 2010 to 2013, Zuleyka Rivera dated J. J. Barea, a basketball player for the Dallas Mavericks. In July 2011, they announced they were going to have a baby. Zuleyka gave birth to their son, Sebastián José Barea Rivera, in Minnesota on February 18, 2012.
In early 2013, there was talk that Zuleyka and J. J. Barea had broken up. On April 18, 2013, Barea confirmed their relationship had ended. Zuleyka also released a statement. She said she had given her best to the relationship. She added that "Life goes on and I keep on going with my head held high."
In 2018, Zuleyka Rivera became a special representative for the brand Eravos.
See also
In Spanish: Zuleyka Rivera para niños
- List of Puerto Ricans
- Miss Universe 2006
- Miss Puerto Rico Universe 2006
