The life of Dayanara Torres reads like a modern-day fairy tale... From her modest upbringing in Puerto Rico; to being discovered on the streets of her hometown; becoming Miss Universe at the age of 18 and soon-after a movie star in the Philippines and Puerto Rico; to marrying (and divorcing); raising two beautiful boys; and bravely striving to rebuild her career in an ent0irely different country. Dayanara’s story is what dreams or novelas, are made of.

Dayanara was born in Toa Alta, Puerto Rico on October 28th, 1974 into a poor, very loving and close-knit family. As a child, she would enjoy acting out roles such as being a model or a queen.

As Miss Universe, her humanitarian work focused on disadvantaged and poverty-stricken children throughout the world. She became an international ambassador for UNICEF, traveling throughout Latin America and Asia in support of the organization’s projects, during and after her reign. In 1995 she endowed the Dayanara Torres Foundation which provided aid and scholarships to destitute families in Puerto Rico and the Philippines. In most recent years she has served on the boards of, and made contributions to, the Children’s Hope Foundation, for children and mothers affected by AIDS, and Foundation Sonrisas, which helps children with facial deformities in Puerto Rico.

In 2005/2006 she was featured in a national Breast Cancer awareness campaign (US and Puerto Rico) and domestic violence prevention campaign (US and Puerto Rico). She is currently working with the March of Dimes, hosting fundraising events and conducting Public Service Announcements.

Dayanara Tores with out a doubt is truly a Latin Pride.