Denise Garrido Biography

Denise Garrido; (born 1986) is one of the most decorated beauty pageant queens in Canadian history. Miss Garrido was the first Canadian to win two National Grand Slam Pageants, Miss Earth Canada 2008 & Miss World Canada 2010, and technically, the first to win all three National Grand Slam Pageants when she was crowned Miss Universe Canada 2013. However, her reign was short lived, when it was discovered the following day that there had been a human error when entering the final scores. This error changed the final order of the Top 5. By the judges score cards, Denise had placed 3rd runner up. Only 24hrs after being crowned, Denise graciously handed over her crown and sash to Riza Santos, the new Miss Universe Canada 2013. This decision was made public the next day (May 27,2013). This blunder created a whirlwind of international media attention, unlike the organization had seen before. But it was was the grace and class which Denise displayed through this unfortunate event, that has garnered her worldwide respect and acclaim. In defeat, Miss Garrido has gained even more exaltation than from winning her previous titles. She has become a positive and relate-able role model for anyone who dares to dream, and a true ambassador for pageants.

Early life and career

Denise Garrido earned a 2nd degree black belt in TaeKwon-Do. She studied biomedical sciences at Laurentian University and graduated cum laude. Her parents are Portuguese and Brazilian.

Garrido won Miss Earth Canada in 2008. She continued on to the Miss Earth 2008 in Manila, Philippines, where she did not place, but won the Miss Puerto Princesa swimsuit award.

Garrido won for the second time at a different pageant, Miss World Canada 2010, and she was one of the Top 25 semi-finalists, out 115 countries, at the Miss World 2010 in Sanya, China. She also placed Top 10 in talent and Top 20 in sport.

Garrido was crowned Miss Universe Canada 2013 during the 11th edition of the pageant held in Toronto on May 25. However, on 27 May 2013, two days after the pageant, it was publically announced that an error had been uncovered. Pageant director Denis Davila stated, "During the validation of the computerized scoring results (which occurs the following day), a typo was discovered in the top five entries, which significantly impacted the final results of the competition." After the results were corrected, Calgary's Riza Santos was named the winner and Garrido the 3rd runner-up.

November 2011 through January 2012, Denise Garrido toured throughout India with the children's' charity, "Healthy Kids, Happy Kids". Founded by Satish Sikha They provided food, clothing and medical treatment to thousands of children in need