Mimilanie Laurel Marquez-Lawyer (; born 16 July 1964), popularly known as Melanie Marquez, is a Filipino personality development coach, actress, film producer, author, celebrity endorser, former supermodel and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned as

Miss International 1979 Miss International 1979, the 19th Miss International pageant, was held on November 12, 1979 at the Mielparque in Tokyo, Japan. The then–15-year-old Mimilanie "Melanie" Marquez earned Philippines' third Miss International crown, becoming the you ...

. She is the youngest winner of

Miss International Miss International (''Miss International Beauty'' or ''The International Beauty Pageant'') is a Japan-based international beauty pageant organized by the International Culture Association. First held in 1960, it is the fourth largest pageant i ...

in history at the age of 15 when she competed in

Pageant career

Miss International 1979

Marquez won a local beauty pageant competition when she was 15 years old, and the 1979

Pageant. Subsequently, she evolved as a successful fashion and commercial model and was featured in the local and international magazine covers. As an international model, she toured Europe and the United States of America. As an actress, she has played parts in action and dramatic films, including the title role in her own bio-picture. Later, she has become a TV host, film producer, and

celebrity endorser Celebrity branding or celebrity endorsement is a form of advertising campaign or marketing strategy which uses a celebrity's fame or social status to promote a product, brand or service, or to raise awareness about an issue. Marketers use celebr ...

Life after Miss International

In 1985, Ms. Marquez became the ''Face of the 80s'' winner in New York, USA. And in 1986, was the First Runner-up in the ''

Supermodel A supermodel, also spelled super-model or super model, is a highly paid fashion model who usually has a worldwide reputation and often a background in ''haute couture'' and commercial modeling. The term ''supermodel'' became prominent in the po ...

'' competition. In 2000, she was voted the "Most Beautiful Miss International Winner" and in 2005, was one of the 6 Finalists in ''Mrs. World'' pageant held in

India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...

. She has appeared in the

Binibining Pilipinas Binibining Pilipinas (abbreviated as Bb. Pilipinas; ) is a national beauty pageant in the Philippines that selects Filipina representatives to compete in one of the Big Four international beauty pageants: Miss International and selects two ot ...

''World of BC 2004'' and ''World of Canada 2004'' pageants. Marquez is a modeling and image-enhancement

coach Coach may refer to: Guidance/instruction * Coach (sport), a director of athletes' training and activities * Coaching, the practice of guiding an individual through a process ** Acting coach, a teacher who trains performers Transportation * Co ...

. She trained

Ruffa Gutierrez Sharmaine Ruffa Rama Gutierrez (born June 24, 1974) is a Filipino Model (person), model, beauty queen, host and actress. She was the 1992 Look of the Year - Philippines, Binibining Pilipinas World, Binibining Pilipinas World 1993 and Second Run ...

(

Miss World 1993 Miss World 1993, the 43rd edition of the Miss World pageant, was held on 27 November 1993 at the Sun City Entertainment Centre in Sun City, South Africa. It was the first time the Miss World pageant was held in the South Africa.The pageant a ...

Second Princess);

Charlene Gonzales Charlene Mae Gonzales Bonnin-Muhlach (; born May 1, 1974) is a Filipina actress, media personality, and beauty queen. Gonzales won the Binibining Pilipinas Universe 1994 title and represented her country at the Miss Universe 1994 pageant held ...

(

Miss Universe 1994 Miss Universe 1994, the 43rd Miss Universe pageant, was held on 21 May 1994 at the Plenary Hall of the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay, Philippines. 77 contestants competed during this year. Outgoing titleholder Dayanara Tor ...

- Top 6 Finalist); and

Miriam Quiambao Miriam Redito Quiambao-Roberto (, born May 20, 1975) is a Filipino physical therapist, inspirational speaker, author, entrepreneur, actress, television host, real estate broker, endorser, model, and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned ...

(

Miss Universe 1999 Miss Universe 1999, the 48th Miss Universe pageant, was held on 26 May 1999 at the Chaguaramas Convention Centre in Chaguaramas, Trinidad and Tobago. Mpule Kwelagobe of Botswana was crowned by Wendy Fitzwilliam of Trinidad and Tobago at the end ...

First Runner-up). She has been a judge, coach, commentator, or host in beauty pageants, modelling contests, and talent-search competitions. Recently, she opened a modelling school for training models, beauty pageant contestants, and actors.

Personal life

Marquez was born in

Mabalacat, Pampanga Mabalacat, officially the City of Mabalacat ( pam, Lakanbalen ning Mabalacat; fil, Lungsod ng Mabalacat), is a 3rd class component city in the province of Pampanga, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 293,244 people ...

. She is a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after her marriage to an American in Utah named Adam Lawyer, her fifth husband. Melanie was involved in her church's 50th foundation anniversary in the Philippines. In 2006, Marquez graduated with a bachelor's degree in

business administration Business administration, also known as business management, is the administration of a commercial enterprise. It includes all aspects of overseeing and supervising the business operations of an organization. From the point of view of management ...

from the

International Academy of Management and Economics International Academy of Management and Economics or IAME is a private, non-sectarian, degree-granting educational institution in Makati, Philippines. History In 1979, IAME's precursor was established under the name International University Fo ...

. Marquez has six children: two of whom have special needs, one being the son of

Filipino Filipino may refer to: * Something from or related to the Philippines ** Filipino language, standardized variety of 'Tagalog', the national language and one of the official languages of the Philippines. ** Filipinos, people who are citizens of th ...

actor and politician

Lito Lapid Manuel "Lito" Mercado Lapid (; born October 25, 1955) is a Filipino actor and politician serving as a Senator since 2019, and previously from 2004 to 2016. He started his political career in Pampanga, serving as vice governor from 1992 to 1995 ...

, and her daughter—a model—with businessman Frederick Dee, Michelle, who is the

Miss World Philippines 2019 Miss World Philippines 2019 was the 9th edition of the Miss World Philippines pageant. It was held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines on September 15, 2019. Katarina Sonja Rodriguez crowned Michelle Daniela ...

Filmography

Film

Television

Awards

References

External links

Melanie Marquez's college graduation
{{DEFAULTSORT:Marquez, Melanie 1964 births Living people Actresses from Pampanga Binibining Pilipinas winners Converts to Mormonism Filipino child actresses Filipino female models Filipino film actresses Filipino Latter Day Saints Filipino people of Indian descent Filipino television actresses Kapampangan people Miss International 1979 delegates Miss International winners Participants in Philippine reality television series People from Mabalacat