Biography

Wilnelia Merced was born on October 12, 1959 in Caguas, Puerto Rico. She was previously married to Bruce Forsyth.

One son, Jonathan Joseph (born in 1988), with husband Bruce Forsyth.

She won the Miss World title in 1975, and in 1976 she was signed by Ford Models in New York, also becoming the first Puerto Rican woman ever to be signed as a model by that agency.

Travels to her birth country, Puerto Rico, several times a year where she oversees the running of the local franchise of the Miss World pageant and also actively particpates in charitable functions.

Is only one of two Puerto Rican women (the other being Stephanie Del Valle) to ever to win the Miss World pageant. She is a major celebrity in Puerto Rico and considered to be an icon of beauty and grace for the entire island.