Melanie Marquez

Mimilanie Laurel Marquez was born on July 16, 1964 and became a Miss International for the year 1979.

She is from Mabalacat, Pampanga and one of the daughters of the late director, Artemio Marquez. After winning the beauty crown, she went on to to pursue a career in modelling and show business, where she uses her nickname Melanie as a screen name. She has been active as an actress, TV host, film producer, and most recently, as a celebrity endorser.

In addition to being Ms. International 1979, Melanie was also the Face of the 80s winner in New York in 1985, was first runner-up in the Supermodel competition in 1986, and was the Most Glamorous Woman in Italy, also in 1986. In 2005, she also competed in the Mrs. World pageant.

Melanie also continues to coach girls internationally in pageants, often making appearances at local ones; her most recent noted appearances included the Binibining Pilipinas World of BC 2004 pageant, and the Binibining Pilipinas World of Canada pageant, 2004. She was voted as the Most Beautiful Miss International in 2000.

Melanie had been to hell more times than what were probably enough for one lifetime. Before Adam, she already had four children from three husbands-Manuelito, 21, from action star and Pampanga Governor Lito Lapid; Mazen, 13, from an Arabian businessman; and Maxene Xuxa, 11, and Michelle Zarah, 8, from actor Derek Dee.

The twists and turns in her colorful life could shame those of a telenovela with the most convoluted script.

According to Melanie, "The most difficult part was when everything seemed to conspire against her.


Her ex-husband wanted her in jail. She said she was afraid, she'd lose custody over her two daughters. She had to run away with them and entered the US through the Mexican border because one of them didn't have valid papers.

His eldest son Manuelito rebelled against her. She had to flee to another country to lick her wounds and reassess her life.

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