Miss World 1975 Wilnelia Merced Cruz
Name : Wilnelia Merced Cruz
Place : Caguas, Puerto Rico
Date of Birth : 12 October 1959
BIOGRAPHY
Wilnelia Merced-Forsyth (born 12 October 1959, Caguas, Puerto Rico) became in 1975 the first and to date only winner of the Miss World title from the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Merced faced a difficult year: the last two Miss Worlds before her had caused controversy and had both been dethroned, although the replacement for the 1974 winner had not attracted any negativity. It was important for the winner to restore the contest’s reputation. She traveled widely during her reigning year and was invited to pre-civil war El Salvador by that country’s government. She fell in love with England, which she would later make her home.
