Heather French Henry
| Heather French Henry | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | December 29, 1974 |
| Alma mater | University of Cincinnati College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning |
| Occupation | Fashion Designer |
| Title |
Miss Louisville 1999 Miss Kentucky 1999 Miss America 2000 |
| Predecessor | Nicole Johnson |
| Successor | Angela Perez Baraquio |
| Spouse(s) | Steve Henry (m. 2000–present) |
Heather Renee French Henry (born December 29, 1974)[1] is a Miss America title holder, personality, fashion designer and veterans advocate.
Biography
Raised in Augusta, Kentucky, French Henry graduated from the University of Cincinnati College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning. She competed in pageants through her teens, including the Miss Ohio pageant. She competed in the Miss Kentucky Pageant four times before winning the title on her fifth attempt in 1999. She won the 2000 Miss America pageant in September 1999, the first Kentuckian to do so. Her platform for her reign was raising awareness of homeless veterans; her father was a wounded veteran of the Vietnam War. She has received numerous awards for her work with veterans.[2]
On October 27, 2000, she married Kentucky Lieutenant Governor Steve Henry, 21 years her senior, in Louisville, Kentucky.[3] The couple have two daughters, Harper Renee (born 2001) and Taylor Augusta (born 2003).[4]
In October 2003, French Henry struck and subsequently killed Karola Stede, 44, a native of Germany and mother of four who was crossing against the traffic light in a Louisville intersection. French said that the accident deeply affected her, and she subsequently recounted her story in venues such as The Oprah Winfrey Show.[5]
French Henry participated in Don't Forget the Lyrics episode that aired on December 12, 2008, appearing with Susan Powell (Miss America 1981) and Kirsten Haglund (Miss America 2008).
On June 26, 2010, French Henry hosted the Miss Virginia pageant in Roanoke, Virginia.
On July 1, 2014, Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear appointed Henry Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs[6]
See also
References
- ↑ "Kentucky Birth Index, 1911-1999". Ancestry.com. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
- ↑ "Miss America : 2000".
- ↑ Ex-Miss America becomes Mrs. Steve Henry today
- ↑ "Louisville Wedding-Weddings in Louisville-Louisville-Kentucky". Louisville Wedding-Weddings in Louisville-Louisville-Kentucky.
- ↑ "Heather French Henry relives pain on 'Oprah'".
- ↑ "Veterans Affairs : KDVA Commissioner".
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Heather French. |
- Heather French Foundation for Veterans Website
- Heather French Henry's Official Website
- Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Heather French Henry official state website
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Nicole Johnson |
Miss America 2000 |
Succeeded by Angela Perez Baraquio |
| Preceded by Chera-Lyn Cook |
Miss Kentucky 1999 |
Succeeded by Shanna Kari Moore |
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