Dominicans have found out only recently that the lovely Michelle Jiménez, the newly crowned Miss Universe Spain 2024, is the daughter of a Dominican father and an Ecuadorian mother. She has captivated Spain and the world not only for her beauty but also for her inspiring life story.
The 21-year old professional model was born in Barcelona. From a young age, she faced a challenging childhood, marked by her time in foster care from the ages of 12 to 18 due to her mother’s inability to care for her.
As reported, the system worked for her. Jimenez says she was able to turn her experiences into a source of strength, emphasizing that her time in the foster care system was instrumental in her becoming the woman she is today. “Everything I’ve lived through has brought me to this point, and I’m very grateful,” she commented in a recent interview with journalist Lucho Borrego.
“I was under state guardianship, and this also allowed me to get out of the situation I was in, which was a bit complicated with my parents. Finally, I could go to these homes and grow up in the best way possible, and I’m very grateful because ultimately, the woman I am today is thanks to everything I went through. So, I’m one of those people who believe that everything happens for a reason, and here I am,” explained the model.
As reported, Jimenez, who previously was the first runner-up in a regional pageant in Catalonia, represented the Balearic Islands in the national contest this year, where her charisma and resilience led her to win the crown.
The woman is sharing her life experience and encourages others not to get the tattoos she got when she was 15, 16 or 17. “I do not encourage young people to get tattoos, of course not,” she said. She hoped if the jury asks her questions during the Miss Universe pageant they concentrate on her, not the tattoos. That they look at her in the face and concentrate on what she is saying, not the tattoos.
Read more in Spanish:
Listin Diario
19 September 2024