Wilnelia Merced
Encyclopedia
Wilnelia, Lady Forsyth-Johnson (born 12 October 1957, Caguas
, Puerto Rico
), more commonly known by her maiden name as Wilnelia Merced, became in 1975 the first and to date only winner of the Miss World
title from the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
.
Merced faced a difficult year: the original Miss World of the previous year had caused controversy and had been dethroned and replaced by the runner-up. It was important for the new winner to restore the contest's reputation. She travelled widely during her reigning year and was invited to pre-civil war El Salvador
by that country's government. She fell in love with England, which she would later make her home.
After passing on her crown, in 1976, she was signed by Ford Models in New York
. In 1978 a giant poster of her was displayed in Times Square
, and she was introduced, in London
at the 1980 Miss World competition gala to British
television entertainer Bruce Forsyth
. Merced and Forsyth married in 1983. While still a public figure at home in Puerto Rico she retired as a model after her wedding. They had a son in 1986. She has a foundation to help Puerto Rico's under-privileged children, for which she organizes charity balls.
Merced lives with her husband and their son, Jonathan Joseph, on the Wentworth Estate
in Surrey
, England. In 2002, during one of her visits to Puerto Rico, her home was broken into by thieves, who injured one of her maids.
In June 2011, it was announced that her husband, Bruce Forsyth, would receive an Honorary Knighthood
. Subsequently, Wilnelia is entitled to use the courtesy title 'Lady Forsyth'.
Caguas, Puerto Rico
Caguas , founded in 1775, is a city and municipality of Puerto Rico located in the Central Mountain Range of Puerto Rico, south of San Juan and Trujillo Alto, west of Gurabo and San Lorenzo, east of Aguas Buenas, Cidra, and Cayey....
, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
), more commonly known by her maiden name as Wilnelia Merced, became in 1975 the first and to date only winner of the Miss World
Miss World
The Miss World pageant is the oldest surviving major international beauty pageant. It was created in the United Kingdom by Eric Morley in 1951...
title from the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
.
Merced faced a difficult year: the original Miss World of the previous year had caused controversy and had been dethroned and replaced by the runner-up. It was important for the new winner to restore the contest's reputation. She travelled widely during her reigning year and was invited to pre-civil war El Salvador
El Salvador
El Salvador or simply Salvador is the smallest and the most densely populated country in Central America. The country's capital city and largest city is San Salvador; Santa Ana and San Miguel are also important cultural and commercial centers in the country and in all of Central America...
by that country's government. She fell in love with England, which she would later make her home.
After passing on her crown, in 1976, she was signed by Ford Models in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. In 1978 a giant poster of her was displayed in Times Square
Times Square
Times Square is a major commercial intersection in the borough of Manhattan in New York City, at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue and stretching from West 42nd to West 47th Streets...
, and she was introduced, in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
at the 1980 Miss World competition gala to British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
television entertainer Bruce Forsyth
Bruce Forsyth
Sir Bruce Joseph Forsyth-Johnson, CBE , commonly known as Bruce Forsyth, or Brucie, is an English TV personality...
. Merced and Forsyth married in 1983. While still a public figure at home in Puerto Rico she retired as a model after her wedding. They had a son in 1986. She has a foundation to help Puerto Rico's under-privileged children, for which she organizes charity balls.
Merced lives with her husband and their son, Jonathan Joseph, on the Wentworth Estate
Wentworth Estate
The Wentworth Estate is a 1920s development village of houses, shops and restaurants on an area of 700 hectares around the world famous Wentworth Club in Virginia Water, Surrey, England...
in Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
, England. In 2002, during one of her visits to Puerto Rico, her home was broken into by thieves, who injured one of her maids.
In June 2011, it was announced that her husband, Bruce Forsyth, would receive an Honorary Knighthood
Knight Bachelor
The rank of Knight Bachelor is a part of the British honours system. It is the most basic rank of a man who has been knighted by the monarch but not as a member of one of the organised Orders of Chivalry...
. Subsequently, Wilnelia is entitled to use the courtesy title 'Lady Forsyth'.