Natalie Glebova
Birthdate : November 11, 1981 (age 28)
Birth location: Tuapse, Russia
Height : 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Eye color : Blue
Hair color : Brown
Ethnicity : White/Caucasian
Title(s) : Miss Canada Universe 2005
Miss Universe 2005
Natalie Glebova, a Russian Canadian classical pianist who had also won various regional gymnastic championships prior to competing at Miss Universe in 2005, has worked as a model and received her Bachelor of Commerce in Information Technology Management and Marketing at Ryerson University in Toronto. She has also worked as a motivational speaker for grade school and high school students.
In 2004, Glebova attempted to win the Miss Universe Canada pageant where she placed as 3rd runner-up. The eventual winner, Venessa Fisher, failed to place in the Miss Universe 2004 finals. Glebova competed again in January 2005, and won the title. She then competed in the Miss Universe 2005 pageant held in Bangkok, Thailand in June 2005, where she became the fourth Canadian in ten years to make the initial cut of semi-finalists. She competed in the evening gown and swimsuit competitions, advancing to the top five where she competed in the final interview round. The final interview round was a tough selection; the strongest delegates who managed the Top 5 were Cynthia Olavarria of Puerto Rico, Laura Elizondo of Mexico, Renata Sone of Dominican Republic, and Monica Spear of Venezuela, who were all considered to be pageant powerhouses. Throughout the contest, Natalie gave a nice traditional Thai greeting known as a "Wai" on every appearance which helped her win over Thai audiences and judges. At the conclusion of the pageant, Glebova survived the Latin onslaught and was crowned Miss Universe 2005 by outgoing titleholder Jennifer Hawkins of Australia. Glebova's win was Canada's second: Karen Dianne Baldwin of London, Ontario had won in 1982. Glebova and Baldwin graduated from the same high school, London Central Secondary School.
As Miss Universe, Glebova represented the Miss Universe Organization, resided in a Trump Place apartment in New York City and assumed the role of HIV/AIDS awareness advocate. She attended the G8 Summit in New York City on August 11, 2005, which reflected on ending poverty in underdeveloped regions and ending gang activity and drug cartels in Colombia. She attended the national pageants of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic before going back to Thailand to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the 2004 Tsunami tragedy as well as promoting charitable causes, Glebova had the opportunity to attend many entertainment events and VIP parties in New York, and throughout the United States. She participated in numerous photo shoots with photographer Fadil Berisha. During her reign, Glebova travelled to Africa, Malaysia, the Bahamas and St. Martin and In late March 2006, visited Russia for the first time since leaving the country in her pre-teens. She participated in an HIV-AIDS Awareness campaign in Moscow and attended a Russian fashion show as a special guest. She also made numerous trips to Thailand, attended the national pageants of Ukraine, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Czech Republic, Thailand, Nicaragua and Brazil. She also crowned Alice Panikian as her Miss Universe Canada successor on the night of March 21, 2006 and on July 23, 2006, Natalie crowned Zuleyka Rivera Mendoza of Puerto Rico as her successor.
In 2006, Glebova, along with golfer Vijay Singh and pro tennis player Paradorn Srichaphan became a brand ambassador for Thailand-based beer brewers Singha Corp. owners of Boon Rawd Brewery. In July 200, Glebova starred in an expensive two-minute television advertisement for The Beverly Hills, one of the most prestigious and expensive housing developments in Asia. The TVC created an air of French romanticism for the private gated community developed by leading Hong Kong property developer, Henderson Land Development, for which Natalie received the "Best Actress" award during "The 13th Annual Most Popular TV Commercial Awards" ceremony in Hong Kong on May 5, 2007.
In February 2007, Natalie published her first book Healthy Happy Beautiful and it turned out to be a major best seller and she also became a brand ambassador for Better Vision (the eyewear company in Thailand). In May 2007 Natalie Glebova was appointed as Brand Beauty Ambassador for ICC International, the producer of BSC cosmetics.
Glebova currently resides in Thailand and is married to Paradorn Srichaphan whom she met during the 2006 Thailand Open and married on November 29, 2007 in Bangkok, Thailand. In 2008, Glebova joined The Amazing Race Asia 3 and she partnered with Pailin Rungratanasunthorn. They represented Thailand and came in 8th place. In November 2008, Natalie Glebova started a new charity organization called Party 4 Charity. To date, the ever beautiful Natalie is still engaged in various fund raising projects, commercial endorsements and is still considered as one of the most unforgettable figures in fashion, beauty and pageantry.