Irene Sáez

About

Venezuelan politician and beauty queen who was crowned Miss Universe in 1981. After her modeling career she went on to become the mayor of Chacao in Caracas, governor of the state of Nueva Esparta, and in 1998 ran for president of her country. 

Before Fame

Her parents died when she was a child, with her mother passing at three and her father when she was ten. She was brought up by her eldest sister, and has two sisters and three brothers. 

Trivia

Her full name is Irene Lailin Sáez Conde. She was the first independent and the first female presidential candidate to be endorsed by a major political party. 

Family Life

She stepped down from her governorship in 2000 when she became pregnant. In 2003 she moved to Miami with her child.

Associated With

She was defeated by Hugo Chávez in her presidential run.