A Peek At Former Miss Universe Dayanara Torres’ Life Before Skin Cancer Diagnosis

Miss Universe 1993 Dayanara Torres revealed on Monday that she was diagnosed with skin cancer melanoma. On an Instagram video, the Puerto Rican beauty shared how the cancer was discovered.

According to her, it started as a big spot or mole that she did not pay attention to before. Although it was a new mole, she said that “it had been growing for years and had an uneven surface.” She recalled how her fiancé, Louis D'Esposito, co-president at Marvel Studios, had persistently asked her to consult a doctor, until he finally made the appointment himself. A biopsy and another surgery were done on Torres, which sadly turned out positive.

Thousands and thousands of fan support, hope and well wishes poured in for Torres, and she expressed her gratitude to her fans. “I am GRATEFUL to all of you & BLESSED to be in your prayers & prayer chains,” she said.

It can be recalled that the 44-year-old beauty queen captured the hearts of many when she became Miss Universe in 1993. During her reign, she focused on impoverished children for her cause and traveled around Latin America and Asia as international ambassador for Unicef.

After her reign, she came to the Philippines, where she became a product endorser and an actress. She starred in movies and made TV appearances in the country. She became one of the main hosts of the musical-variety show “ASAP” and was given the name “Dancing Queen of the Philippines” because of her dancing prowess.

After four years of stay in the Philippines, Torres went back to Puerto Rico, where she released her album and starred in theater productions. Her album, titled “Antifaz,” reached the top of the Billboard Dance charts in the Philippines and throughout Latin America.

In 2000, the Puerto Rican actress married singer Marc Anthony, with whom she had two sons, Christian Anthony Muñiz, 18, and Ryan Anthony Muñiz, 15. After a shaky marriage, the couple divorced in June 2004.

She stayed in the U.S. most of her post-Miss Universe career. In September of 2004, the Latina beauty appeared as Elise Tomkins in two episodes of the American soap opera “The Young And The Restless.” Later, she starred as Julia Rivera in the American TV series “Watch Over Me.”

In 2017, she made a comeback to the Philippines and made several TV appearances. Also in the same year, she joined “Mira Quien Baila,” the Spanish version of “Dancing With The Stars.” In late 2018, she got engaged to D'Esposito.

Torres not only is a beauty queen, actress, dancer, singer and model. She is also a co-author of two books: “Sonrisas Sanas y Hermosas de Ricky y Andrea” and “Married To Me: How Committing To Myself Led To Triumph After Divorce,” which was later published in Spanish.

There are unconfirmed reports of a 2019 Philippine musical film called “Solo Para Mujeres: The Movie,” which also casts the Puerto Rican actress. As this is yet to be confirmed and given Torres’ current state, her fans can only wait for any update on the movie.