Wilnelia Merced won Miss World 1975, and was married to entertainer Sir Bruce Forsyth from 1983 until his death in August 2017.
11 Facts About Wilnelia Merced
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Wilnelia Merced remained the only Puerto Rican to win the title until Stephanie Del Valle won Miss World 2016 after serving as a judge for the pageant.
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Wilnelia Merced travelled widely during 1975 and was invited to El Salvador by the Salvadorean military government before the civil war.
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In 1978, a giant poster of Wilnelia Merced was displayed in Times Square.
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Wilnelia Merced was introduced to British television entertainer Bruce Forsyth at the 1980 Miss World competition gala in London.
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Wilnelia Merced remained married to Forsyth until his death in August 2017.
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On 29 January 2018, for the first time ever, Wilnelia Merced spoke openly about the final days she spent with her husband before his death.
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Bruce Forsyth 8.
Wilnelia Merced expressed her appreciation of being able to be with him at the last moment.
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Wilnelia Merced felt "lucky" that all the close family members managed to say goodbye at his deathbed.
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Wilnelia Merced recalled that Forsyth was surrounded by all his daughters, who kept him accompanied and watched films together.
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Wilnelia Merced said that Forsyth had wished to celebrate his hundredth birthday at the London Palladium.