Patricia Velasquez: photo, biography, career, personal life

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Patricia Velasquez is constantly on the move. Her international modeling career speaks for itself. Plus, she acts in films and TV shows, writes books, is engaged in social activities, and also has her own line of cosmetics. Despite the fact that Patricia was born into a poor family in Venezuela, she managed to rise triumphantly to the top of the fashion world. She is considered the first Latina supermodel and a star for the top haute couture design houses such as Chanel, Gucci, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana and Carolina Herrera. If you are not at all fashion savvy, Patricia Velasquez is definitely familiar to you from the films "The Mummy" and "The Mummy Returns", where she had the role of Imhotep's insidious, but at the same time very beautiful lover Ankh Su Namun.

Early years

Patricia Velasquez was born on January 31, 1971 in the Venezuelan city of Maracaibo. Her parents were teachers. Patricia was the fifth child of six children. She grew up in a happy and friendly family, although they lived poorly. In one interview, she recalled how they had to carry water to the fifteenth floor of their apartment every day, since there was no water supply and the elevator did not work. Although the family did not live well, they were very friendly and happy. Since her father worked for UNESCO, the family lived for a short time in Paris, then in Mexico. Before Patricia entered college, they again returned to their homeland, to Venezuela. Velasquez studied engineering at college.

Model work

During college, Patricia's friend decided to send some pictures of Velasquez to a modeling agency. Thus began her modeling career. In 1988, she walked in a fashion show at Dolce & Gabbana. She was in great demand, worked all over the world: in Italy, France, Great Britain, Spain, Japan. She became the Latin American catwalk queen for her exotic features. She also starred in commercials for Allure by Chane and Verino by Roberto Verino. Participated in the lingerie catalog for Victoria's Secret. In 1989, she participated in the Miss Venezuela pageant, finishing seventh there. Her face graced the covers of magazines such as Vogue, Bazaar, Marie Claire.

Velasquez herself has always spoken fondly of working as a model. I thought it was a great pleasure and an opportunity to do really interesting projects.

Acting career

In 1997, Patricia Velasquez leftmodel runway and began her acting career, although she was initially reluctant to become an actress.

Start acting in films? What for? Almost all models after the end of their careers go to act in films.

At this time, she seriously thought about going to work in the profession she received in college. But fate decreed otherwise. At that time, she was sent the script for the film "Jaguar". It was an adventure-style comedy, but it touched on a very serious topic about the preservation of the Amazon forests and the Indians who live there. Patricia could not refuse, because the descendants of her mother were the Waya Indians. In addition, she really liked the shooting process, besides, she starred there with Jean Reno himself. Velasquez decided to take acting classes after filming.

She has appeared in both European and Hollywood films. But the most memorable film with Patricia Velasquez is, of course, The Mummy. In it, she played the negative role of Ank Su Namun. Then she repeated this role in The Mummy Returns. In addition, Patricia Velasquez often takes part in performances, starred in TV shows and sometimes produces films herself. Was a guest on the famous Oprah Winfrey show. Often appears as a judge on various shows about models.

Public life

Patricia Velasquez is a well-known advocate for UNESCO. She was awarded the United Nations Women's Rights Award in 2009 and the Solidarity Award in November 2010. In 2015, she received an award at the LaFemme. In 2011, Velasquez successfully launched Taya Beauty, an organic herbal cosmetics line. Concerned about the living conditions of Hispanic indigenous groups, Velázquez founded the Wayu Taya Foundation. This is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public about the life of indigenous groups and improving their living conditions.

Always work hard, be honest and be proud of who you are.

Private life

Patricia Velasquez has long given rise to rumors about her bisexuality. In 2015, the model released her autobiographical book Straight Walk. In it, for the first time, she frankly spoke about her difficult childhood, her triumphant path to world fame and her relationship with American singer and comedian Sandra Bernhard, who, in turn, met with singer Madonna. Velazquez was madly in love with Sandra. Never in my life have I felt such strong feelings for anyone. Until now, you will not be able to find joint photos of Patricia Velasquez with Sandra Bernhard. However, why should they, if Patricia herself revealed the soul in her autobiography. The model admitted that Sandra was the first woman she kissed. It was the connection with Sandra that helped her decide on her sexual orientation. After breaking up with Bernhard, Patricia suffered for two whole years and could not forget her.

Patricia admitted that she is comfortable in relationships exclusively with women. Of course, she tried to have affairs with men, but this did not lead to anything.what results, no feelings were born inside her for them.

Patricia Velasquez is the first Latina supermodel to come out as a lesbian.