It's been 20 years since Dayanara Torres competed in the Miss Universe pageant and became the third Puerto Rican in winning the coveted crown. She became one of the most recognized queens and an icon in the whole world, but especially in her native Puerto Rico. To celebrate that unforgettable moment when Dayanara's name was pronounced, naming her the most beautiful woman in the universe, her town Toa Alta prepared a tribute to honor this beauty and thank her for the joy she brings to her people and the commitment with her roots.
"Twenty years! I can't believe it's been so long," said the former Miss Universe. "I am very grateful for the opportunity that being Miss Universe gave me. I feel very proud and honored to have represented the beautiful people from my island, Puerto Rico. As a mother, I think it's a priority to share the beauty and culture of Puerto Rico with my children so they appreciate it as much as I do."
"Dayanara wasn't just another queen, she was a movement," said Toa Alta and Bayamon representative Angel "Gary" Rodríguez Miranda, highlighting the importance of the title Dayanara won. "Everyone in the town of Toa Alta has an anecdote of that event. We celebrated a young woman who brought together a country and conquered the Universe." Rodríguez Miranda later presented Torres with a motion of congratulations and recognition for her achievements.
"That victory of 1993 was celebrated by the Puerto Rican people and changed the life of the then 18-year-old Dayanara forever. We need to remember that Dayanara was only 17 years old when she was discovered by Víctor Mercado and Javier Ríos at the public plaza of Toa Alta when she was with her mother, Luz Delgado. They asked the young girl her age and where was she from, and before she knew it, she was winning the Miss Puerto Rico pageant. The rest was history," added Rodríguez Miranda.
After her stint as Miss Universe, Dayanara continued with modeling, and became an actress, writer and dedicated philanthropist. She was an ambassador for the March of Dimes organization in California for five years, and also served as ambassador of the Covenant House foundation for four years. She has also collaborated with the Ronald McDonald House and has participated in the Got Milk? campaigns.
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