Dayana Mendoza is a Venezuelan actress, model, film producer and director who gained international fame as the 2008 Miss Universe beauty pageant winner.
Born in Caracas, Venezuela on June 1, 1986, she began her modeling career at the age of 15 and quickly established herself in the competitive world of fashion.
In 2007, Mendoza won the Miss Venezuela competition, paving the way for her to represent her country on the global stage and making history as the first Venezuelan to win the title of Miss Universe in the 21st century.
contour
- Full name: Dayana Sabrina Mendoza Moncada
- Date of birth: June 1, 1986
- Age: 38 years old
- Gender: Female
- Place of birth: Caracas, Venezuela
- Nationality: Venezuela
- Occupation: Actor, model, film producer, director
- Height: 5′ 9″ (1.75 m)
- Parents: Willy Mendoza, Maria Ochiliadora de Mendoza
- Siblings: Daniela Mendoza (sister)
- Spouse: Michael Pagano (married December 6, 2013 – divorced September 2016)
- Children: Eva Mendoza Pagano
- Relationship status: Divorced
- Religion: Not applicable
- Ethnicity: Venezuelan (Slovenian and German descent)
- Net worth: $2 million
early life and education
Dayana Mendoza is 38 years old. She was born on June 1, 1986 in Caracas, Venezuela. She grew up in a family that valued education and culture, and her parents’ support for her ambitions influenced her. Dayana has a sister named Daniela.
She showed interest in modeling from an early age and began her career at the age of just 15 years old. Mendoza attended local schools in Caracas before devoting her full time to modeling. Her early experience included participating in various fashion shows and modeling competitions in Venezuela and internationally.
personal life
On December 6, 2013, Dayana Mendoza married businessman Michael Pagano in a grand wedding in Altos de Chavón, Dominican Republic . On October 5, 2015, the couple welcomed their daughter, Eva Mendoza Pagano.
However, their marriage ended in divorce in September 2016. Despite the separation, Mendoza said they maintain a good relationship for the sake of their daughter.
Mendoza also faces personal challenges. Notably, she was the victim of a quick kidnapping in Venezuela before she became famous. This painful experience strengthened her resilience and ability to handle stress with grace.
Profession
Dayana Mendoza began her modeling career at a young age and quickly escalated after winning the title of Miss Venezuela in 2007. This victory led to her participation in the Miss Universe pageant in Vietnam in July 2008, where she was crowned Miss Universe.
During her tenure as Miss Universe, she traveled extensively to promote humanitarian causes and raise awareness about HIV/AIDS.
In addition to her success in beauty pageants, Mendoza has also been involved in acting and film production.
She has appeared in films such as “The Little Mermaid” (2013) and “Love Is Not Fair” (2017). In recent years, she has also begun taking on behind-the-scenes roles. She wrote, directed and produced the short film “Honey,” which discussed the issue of domestic violence.
Awards
Dayana Mendoza has received several accolades during her career:
- Miss Venezuela 2007
- Miss Universe 2008
net worth
Dayana Mendoza has a net worth of approximately $2 million. Her source of income mainly comes from modeling contracts, beauty pageant prize money, acting roles, and film productions.
dispute
Dayana Mendoza’s journey has been controversial. A major incident occurred during her reign as Miss Universe when she faced backlash for comments she made during a visit to the Guantanamo Bay detention camp.
In a blog post documenting her experience there, she described it as “relaxing” and “calm,” prompting criticism from various quarters, including from Venezuelan politicians inside the country. These comments were considered insensitive given the serious human rights concerns associated with the facility.
In addition, Mendoza also caused controversy when she competed against other contestants during her 2012 appearance on “The Celebrity Apprentice” with Donald Trump. The media focused particular attention on her interactions with comedian Lisa Lampanelli due to reports that her relationship with the actress was strained during filming.
Mendoza’s modeling career also faced scrutiny when photos emerged of her posing nude in a jewelry campaign. The Miss Universe organization said the photos were artistic and not pornographic; however, they sparked debate about the appropriateness of the beauty pageant.
Despite these controversies, Mendoza has continued to focus on her career while advocating for key social issues through various platforms.
social media
- Instagram: @dayanamendoza
- Twitter: @dayanamendoza
film chronology
- Mermaid Complex(2013)
- There’s no fairness in love (2017)
- Lord of Dreams(2010)
