Gabriela Isler Biography

Mara Gabriela de Jess Isler Morales (born March 21, 1988 in Valencia, Carabobo) is a Venezuelan TV Host, fashion model and beauty queen who was crowned Miss Venezuela 2012. Isler was crowned Miss Universe 2013 on November 9, 2013 in Moscow, Russia; she is the seventh Miss Universe from Venezuela and the third Miss Universe from Venezuela in six years. Gabriela is currently the Founder and CEO of the Universe of Blessings Fund, a 501(c)3 organization devoted to the empowerment of young women and girls by providing critical life-skills and personal development counseling.

Personal life

Isler was born in the city of Valencia, but has studied and lived in Maracay since she was a little girl. She holds a BA in Management and Marketing. She has Swiss and German descent and also holds Swiss citizenship due to her Swiss grandfather from Lausanne. Her family name Isler is a common Swiss family name. At age of 14 she started modeling as a way to cheer her mother and grandmother up after her aunt died.

She started a relationship with boyfriend Alberto Figueroa in 2011.

Miss Venezuela 2012

Isler, who stands , competed as Miss Gurico, one of 24 finalists in her country's national beauty pageant Miss Venezuela 2012, held on August 30, 2012 in Caracas, where she obtained the Miss Elegance award and became the ninth Miss Venezuela winner from Gurico, gaining the right to represent her country in Miss Universe.

Miss Universe 2013

Isler represented Venezuela at the Miss Universe 2013 pageant, held on November 9 in Moscow, Russia. She was crowned Miss Universe 2013 by outgoing titleholder, Olivia Culpo of the United States. Isler became the third Venezuelan to win the pageant in six years (since 2009) and the seventh overall, maintaining its status as the second most successful entity at Miss Universe.

Reign

After being crowned on November 9, 2013 in Moscow, Isler was interviewed by CNN en Espaol; Fox News; EFE agency (Spain); the Associated Press; Reuters; Venevisin and Globovisin (Venezuela); Caracol Televisin (Colombia); 2M TV (Morocco); ABS-CBN (Philippines); MUN2; Pust Gorovyat and Evening Urgant (Russia); Rendezvous Indosiar (Indonesia); NBC's Today, Fox & Friends, Huffpost Live, Live with Kelly and Michael, PIX11 Morning News, Good Day NY; Al Rojo Vivo; Un Nuevo Da, Titulares y Ms and Acceso Total (Telemundo); The Lab; Fashion Files (Mexico Travel Channel) and others. On November 10, 2013, Isler participated in the presentation of the Yamamay Million dollar swimsuit at Crowne Plaza hotel in Moscow, Russia.

On November 21, 2013, she served as a presenter at the Latin Grammy Awards in Las Vegas, United States, sharing with Illya Kuryaki and the Valderramas. A few days later she traveled to Asheville, North Carolina. On December 2, 2013, she attended The Man With Opera Hat in New York City. Isler attended Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation's Global Impact award Gala Dinner honoring Hillary Clinton at Best Buy Theater on December 3, 2013 in New York City.

On December 4, 2013 she attended the 81st annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Rockefeller Center in New York City. On December 11, 2013, Isler traveled to Venezuela on an unofficial visit to enjoy Christmas with her family.

She traveled to Bali, Indonesia on January 7, 2014, where she filmed a publicity for YOU"?C1000. On January 17, 2014, Isler traveled to Cancun, Mexico, for a photoshoot for Yamamay with Fadil Berisha. On January 26, 2014, she again traveled to Indonesia to assist in the crowning of Puteri Indonesia 2014 (Miss Universe Indonesia). Isler attended New York Fashion Week during February 2014. On February 14, 2013, she attended the Valentine"?s Day Luncheon to Benefit Rush"?s Education Programs, and three days later, she attended the CHCF's "Countdown to A Slice of Latin America" Gala, in New York.

On February 27, 2014, Isler participated in the Miss Russia 2014 press conference in Moscow, Russia, with Megan Young (Miss World) and Elmira Abdrazakova (Miss Russia). She was a judge at Miss Russia 2014 pageant. Isler traveled to Miami on March 7, 2014, to participate in the Cadillac Championship Fashion Show. On March 8, 2014, she attended Emin concert, also in Miami.

In March 2014, Isler visited the Philippines to raise funds for the Yolanda typhoon victims in Palawan and to help crown the winners of Binibining Pilipinas 2014 on March 30, 2014. On April 8, 2014, Isler travelled to Casablanca, Morocco to promote Peugeot 308 and walked in Casablanca Fashion Week.

During a special ceremony at Macy"?s Herald Square, in New York, on April 16, 2014, Isler was named the new Madrina of the Latino Commission on AIDS, to welcome her as an international spokesperson to help deliver their message of HIV prevention. Isler attended HBO Latino NYC Premiere of Santana: De Corazon at Hudson Theatre on April 16, 2014 in New York City. On April 24, 2014, she served as a presenter at the Billboard Latin Music Awards in Miami, United States, sharing with David Chocarro. Isler attended the 11th Annual Project Sunshine benefit celebration at The Waldorf-Astoria Hotel on April 29, 2014 in New York City.

On April 30, 2014, Isler spoke on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. in support of amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research. amfAR was founded by Elizabeth Taylor and is one of the world's leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to HIV/AIDS research, prevention, education, and advocacy. She attended Operation Smile's Smile Event at Cipriani Wall Street on May 1, 2014 in New York City. On May 8, 2014, Isler with retired NFL player Tutan Reyes and other attendees at the 6th annual NFL Draft fundraiser Beyond the Boroughs at Dream Downtown in New York City.

Isler traveled to Curaao on May 9, 2014, for the Miss Universe Curaao 2014 designers night. On May 11, 2014, she attended the People en Espaol Los 50 Mas Bellos party at Club Capitale in New York City. As Project Sunshine supporter, Isler participated in BTIG's 12th annual Commissions for Charity Day at BTIG's trading floor on May 13, 2014 in New York City. Isler also attended the 2014 Telemundo Upfront at Frederick P. Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center the same day in New York City.

On May 17-18, 2014, Isler heated up the runway in Yamamay for Miss Universe swimsuits and Sherri Hill at Miami Fashion Week held at the Miami Convention Center, Miami Beach. She attended El Museo's Gala 2014 at Cipriani 42nd Street on May 21, 2014 in New York City. In May 2014, Isler was invited to the annual party parade in Machala, Ecuador. Isler attended the 2014 CFDA fashion awards at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center on June 2, 2014 in New York City. In June 2014, she visited Baton Rouge, Louisiana to help crown the winner of Miss USA 2014 on June 8, 2014. Isler attended the amfAR Inspiration Gala New York 2014 at The Plaza Hotel on June 10, 2014 in New York City.

In June, Isler traveled to Las Vegas for the Las Vegas Licensing Expo, with Nia Sanchez (Miss USA 2014). Isler attended Tammy New York special screening at Landmark Sunshine Cinema on June 26, 2014 in New York City. In July 2014, Isler visited Austria to help crown the winners of Miss Austria on July 3, 2014. She was a judge at Miss Austria pageant. Afterwards, she toured several Eastern European countries included Czech Republic and Slovakia. Isler attended the 4th Annual St Mary's event on July 17, 2014, at STK Rooftop in New York City. On July 18, 2014, Isler visited the city of Baku, in Azerbaijan, with Paula Shugart, President of Miss Universe Organization. Isler attended the OCRF's 17th Annual Super Saturday Hosted By Kelly Ripa And Donna Karan on July 26, 2014 in New York City. She also attended the 15th annual Art for Life Gala hosted by Russell and Danny Simmons at Fairview Farms on July 26, 2014 in Water Mill, New York. On July 31, 2014, Isler traveled to Bahamas to help the crown the winner of Miss Teen USA 2014.

On August 17, 2014, she traveled to Dominican Republic to assist in the crowning of Miss Dominican Republic 2014. On September 3, 2014, Isler attended the general audience of Pope Francis in the Vatican. Gabriella carried a Venezuelan flag and kissed the hand of the Pope in their brief encounter. According to herself, the visit made her feel blessed and added, "I can only say that I am immensely grateful and happy."

In September 2014, Isler joined Nia Sanchez and K. Lee Graham at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week at Lincoln Center in New York City, where she met fellow Miss Universes Dayana Mendoza and Stefania Fernandez both from Venezuela. She also attended the Grand Opening of a Yamamay store in Plaza las Amricas in Cancun, Mexico. Isler attended the Leaders"? Forum on Women Leading the Way: Raising Ambition for Climate Action at the United Nations.

On October 3, 2014, Isler joined Doral Mayor and Council, Donald J. Trump and Paula M. Shugart for the big announcement of the 63rd Miss Universe 2014 Pageant at Trump National Doral Resort in Doral, Florida. On October 7, 2014, Isler returned to her home, Venezuela for her homecoming trip, where she was invited to the Miss Venezuela 2014 pageant in Caracas. Later, she was in Miami, Florida, to the program "Camino a la Corona" (TELEMUNDO) to be transmitted on January 25 before Miss Universe 2014. She traveled to Cali, Colombia on October 18.

On January 25, 2015, Isler eventually passed her title to Paulina Vega, Miss Colombia 2014 at the conclusion of the 63rd Miss Universe Pageant at FIU Arena, Miami, Florida.

During her reign she has traveled to Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Canada, Colombia, Curaao, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Indonesia, Mexico, Morocco, Philippines, Russia, and numerous trips around the United States.

Universe of Blessings Fund

Gabriela personally launched and is CEO of the Universe of Blessings Fund, a 501(c)(3) organization, which seeks to empower young women and girls and decrease the rates of adolescent pregnancy and maternal mortality, issues which are especially problematic in her native Venezuela. Deeply concerned about the victims of human trafficking and its devastating impact on young women, Gabriela is an ambassador for the Scalabrini International Migration Network. In addition, she is constructing a program which implements a values-based curricula designed to prepare young adults in Venezuela to realize their full potential, both personally and professionally, by providing critical life-skills and vocational skills.

Other

In addition, Gabriela will continue in her career as a model and television commentator with Venevision (owned by Cisneros Media) where she focuses on socially responsible reporting. Gabriela will also be engaged as a public speaker both in the U.S. and internationally through her membership with the Washington Speakers Bureau. In the past month, Gabriela has participated as a panelist and judge at the Nexus Global Youth Summit as well as The Resolution Project's Social Venture Challenge both held at the United Nations in New York City.