Bringing back the glory to Sri Lanka after 35 years, Mrs Sri Lanka, a mother of one, Caroline Jurie was crowned Mrs World 2020, yesterday at the Grand Finale held in Las Vegas, Nevada – USA, the Sunday Observer learns.
Jurie becomes the second Sri Lankan to win the title after former Mrs. World Rosy Senanayake, Mayor of Colombo, who brought glory to the country back in 1984, and it was the opening year of this highly acclaimed beauty pageant of the world. Jurie was selected as the winner ahead of 1st Runner Up Mrs Ireland and 2nd Runner Up Mrs US Virgin Islands and beating 51 contestants featured in the pageant representing 51 nations.
Caroline Lucy Anne Jurie (27) was born in Kandana as the third child in a family with four siblings. Jurie is an old girl of St. Sebastian Girls’ School, Kandana and has been working as a Sales Executive at Virgin Mega Store in Dubai.
Speaking to the Sunday Observer just after her glorious winning moment in Las Vegas, Jurie said “it was truly a miracle” and her prayers have been finally answered.
“It was a tough journey from the beginning as I didn’t get any sponsorship or support from any responsible authorities.
This was possible only because of my loving family and my two guardian angels Silani and Neville. She conveyed her gratitude to the former Mrs World Alica Lee Gianetta from Hong Kong who headed the Mrs Sri Lanka jury held a few months ago.
“From the beginning she supported me and advised me to groom myself. My visa papers were rejected by the American embassy and if Alica didn’t convince the authorities I wouldn’t have been able to represent my country at the pageant. I’m really grateful for her support and guidance,” Jurie added. She also thanked the Mrs Sri Lanka franchise holder Chandimal Jayasinghe for his support throughout her journey.
“It’s important to believe in your dreams and especially married women should always think big and never compromise on their dreams and passion,” Jurie said, adding that they could still contribute to nation building and women empowerment.
“By winning this world renowned beauty pageant, I want to set an example that life does not end for women once they are married. What matters is your positive attitude towards life and believe in yourself and self-confidence is key in achieving your passion,” Jurie said.
Jurie has never been a model or walked on a ramp before she took part in the Mrs Sri Lanka 2020 pageant a few months ago. As she explains among the contestants she had the least experience of them all. However, victory was in her veins and she has been driven by her innocence beating all the obstacles that came her way.
“I’m sure that I must be the beauty queen who has spent the least amount of money. I didn’t have money at all, but the determination carried me to victory,” she added with happy tears. Jurie is due to return to the island tomorrow.
Mrs World pageant is the first and oldest beauty pageant of its kind in the world founded by David Marmel in 1984. The concept for ‘Mrs World’ has its roots in one of the oldest and most respected of all competitions – Mrs America. Mrs America was the first pageant celebrating the uniqueness of the married woman, her family and community.
Over the years ‘Mrs World’ has been produced in many fascinating locations around the world including, Austrailia, Israel, Hawaii, USA, India, Russia, Vietnam, Florida, China, South Korea and South Africa.
The Mrs World competition was also known as Mrs Woman of the World for their 1984, 1986 and 1987 competitions.