Miss Universe 1998, entrepreneur, philanthropist, mother and author; Wendy Marcelle Fitzwilliam exudes a penchant for merriment and steadfastness which she greatly attributes to her well rounded development and success!

On May 12th 1998, in Honolulu, Wendy made history when she became the third woman of colour and second Trinidadian woman to capture the Miss Universe Crown. Her win, which came just two months before her final exams to qualify as an Attorney at Law, set her feet on the road to becoming one of the most known and celebrated personalities from the Caribbean.

Little over 10 years have passed since Wendy’s beauty and intelligence, won her the Miss Universe Crown. In those years she has forged a fantastic career, having completed her legal education she was admitted to the Trinidad and Tobago Bar on May 31, 2000. Currently she holds the position of Vice President, Investment Promotion with Evolving TecKnologies and Enterprise Development Company Ltd. (eTecK) based in Trinidad and Tobago which is responsible for the development of the country’s economic diversity.

Her dedication to hard work isn’t just limited to her career, over the years she has lent herself greatly to her passion for human and social development by championing various charitable causes both big and small.

In June of 1998 she was honoured by the United Nations with the title of Goodwill Ambassador for HIV/AIDS, where she renewed her commitment to fighting this disease and the stereotypes associated with it. Her dedication to the HIV/AIDS cause also led her to found The Hibiscus Foundation (THF) in Trinidad and Tobago on the 6th of September 1998.  This organization was established to heighten AIDS awareness in Trinidad and Tobago and to give assistance, financially and otherwise, to children’s homes in Trinidad.

Another highlight of her social work came when she became appointed the Red Cross Ambassador of Youth for the Caribbean. This is the first time the Red Cross has appointed anyone to this high honourary office. In this capacity she has been afforded the opportunity to address the World’s Youth globally, most recently as the keynote speaker of the Summit of The Americas V in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

She is also is the international spokesperson for Clear Essence Skin Care and has made several notable television appearances having hosted segments of “Wild On…” for E! Entertainment Television, and the Miss Universe Special for the same network. She made appearances on “Live with Regis and Kathy Lee”, “The Magic Hour”, “Politically Incorrect”, “The O’Rielly Factor”, CNN’s “Talk Back Live”, Trinidad and Tobago Carnival” for BET, “The Johnny Cockran Show” on Court TV, Soca Monarch Finals for Synergy TV with Danny Glover and Chris Tucker, among others.

Wendy currently resides in her native Trinidad and Tobago with her 3 year old son Ailan who became her inspiration for her first book, “Letters to Ailan”, an ode to him and of her experience as a mother. Every Sunday he is also the host of her own show on Heartbeat 103.5fm, which discusses various topics with high profile guests and gives the listener a greater insight to the inner workings of Wendy’s thoughts, and her love for music.

We welcome Wendy Fitzwilliam as an esteemed member of our Celebrity Commentary Panel for the Digicel International Soca Monarch and Play Whe Groovy Soca Monarch Competition 2012!