Giselle Laronde

Giselle Jeanne-Marie Laronde-West (born October 24, 1963) is a Trinidadian model and beauty queen who won the Miss World 1986 contest, representing Trinidad and Tobago. Walking away with the title Miss World 1986, Giselle Laronde West became the first woman from Trinidad and Tobago to be victorious in the Miss World pageant, at the age of just 23 years. She became the second woman from that nation to win an international beauty pageant, after Janelle Commissiong Miss Universe 1977. The pageant was held in London, UK. In that year, the US was represented by aspiring actress Halle Berry.^[3]

Early life

Giselle was born in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad. She grew up all over Trinidad but spent most of her life in San Fernando where she moved with her family at the age of 10. One of four children, she attended St. Peter's school at Pointe-à-Pierre and St. Francois Girls High School. In her early 20s, while was Giselle working at a local credit union, many of her friends and family,encouraged her to enter the Miss World contest because they said she looked the part and had the personality. Giselle believed herself to be good-looking, but did not believe herself to be exceptionally gorgeous. She also considered herself a "tom-boy"; "never glamorous, never ever a girly-girl or getting her nails and hair done..." Family therefore had to prod, they encourage her to attend the Miss World auditions held in the nation's capital, Port-of-Spain, which was the last day to be eligible for the contest. When she did win the Miss World title she was surprised, more like shocked, she was full of pride and excitement and had little fear of what winning would mean for her life. Laronde think the most important factors that led her to winning were a combination of self-assurance, confidence, beauty, personality, intellect, grace, and presence. Giselle was told by one of the judges that she looked at ease on the stage and flowed when she walked.

After Miss World

After winning the Miss World title she used her prize money to attend the Goldsmith's College, University of London^[4] where she completed a degree in Sociology and Communication. Laronde-West was awarded the Chaconia Medal and had a BWIA plane named after her. She is married to Heathcliff West and has two sons, Kyle and Kristof, who previously attended Fatima College. She continues to live in her homeland of Trinidad & Tobago where she is the Corporate Communications Manager with Angostura Ltd.

References

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Brenda Denton	Miss World Americas 1986	Succeeded by Albany Lozada
Preceded by Ulrica Christina Phillip	Miss Trinidad & Tobago World 1986	Succeeded by Maria del Valle Xavier