Michelle Mclean came into spotlight 1991 as she represented Namibia at Miss World but it was in 1992 that she created history for Namibia as she represented the country at Miss Universe 1991 and consequently win the coveted Miss Universe crown for the first time for Namibia!
Michelle McLean is, thus far, the only Namibian to win Miss Universe. Miss Universe 1992 was held on 9th May 1992 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre in Bangkok, Thailand where Michelle (then 19-year-old) won the coveted crown.
The six feet tall beauty queen is not just famous not just for her stunning looks, but also for her outstanding charity work. Michelle, after winning Miss Universe 1992, went on to deliver on her promises to the children of Namibia, setting up the Michelle McLean Children’s Trust in Namibia. She continues to support the trust which has initiated and managed hundreds of projects over more than two decades.
Michelle is also the patron of the Michelle McLean Primary School which is responsible for educating 960 Namibian school children. The school provides entrepreneurial and financial skills training to learners. Apart from her work with children of Namibia, McLean is passionate about coaching and mentoring both men and women, not only in the beauty and modelling fields, but in the business arena too.
Michelle’s journey has been a testament to her hard work and dedication in bringing a change in the lives of the children of Namibia. She also recollected her experience as she was crowned Miss Universe and quoted, “I remember just being amazed that my name was called out. The first thing I thought about was my mom telling me to clean out my cupboard and put my things in storage when I left Namibia to go to the pageant, because I wouldn’t be coming back for a long time. I had a silent chuckle to myself that she was right.”
(Pictures Courtesy to the respective owner)
Michelle was instrumental in bringing the Miss Universe pageant to her country in 1995. A sought-after TV Presenter, Michelle co-hosted the Miss World pageant held in South Africa during 2009. She is one of South Africa’s most successful voice-over artists, director of BrandRock Events, on the board of a prominent real estate company and the recipient of Donald Trump’s Miss Universe Lifetime Recognition Award in 1998.
Michelle was also a UNICEF Ambassador for many years and has proven that she is not just a beautiful face, but has a heart of gold. Namibia is justifiably proud of this dynamic woman who embodies the phrase ‘not just a pretty face’. A proud Namibian indeed!