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Patricia Velasquez Profile |
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Birth Date: January 31, 1971
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Birth Place: Guajira, Venezuela
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Birth Name: Patricia Velasquez
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Height: 5'10"
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Biography |
Patricia Velasquez was born in Guajira, Venezuela, on
January 31, 1971. Raised by her educator parents in a third
world country, not to mention the fifth child of six,
Patricia's life was far from luxurious or glamorous.
She attended San Vicente de Paul High School, and after her
graduation in 1987, Patricia headed for college to study
engineering and accounting. Although she was being raised to
go into the Venezuelan oil industry, which is practically
the only choice for Indian children from Venezuela
(Patricia's mother is of native heritage, from the Wayu
tribe in the Amazon), a chance event led her to switch her
plans.
A friend of hers wanted to become a model, and one of the
pictures that she sent to a casting call in Caracas included
Patricia. As fate would have it, the agency wanted exotic
Patricia.
After a year of college studies, she left for Milan in
pursuit of a modeling career. Up until that point, the
closest Patricia came to a modeling experience was her
participation in beauty pageants in her native Venezuela,
which didn't affect her upcoming modeling gigs.
In 1998, Patricia strutted down catwalks in ready to wear
fashion shows for designers such as Antonio Berardi, Bella
Freud, Corinne Cobson, Claude Montana, Jean Paul Gaultier,
Salvatore Ferragamo, Dolce & Gabbana, and Owen Gaster.
As for print, Patricia appeared in ads for Chanel's Allure,
Monsoon, Roberto Verino's Verino fragrance, as well as
everyone's favorite, Victoria's Secret. She even donned
swimsuits for Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Edition in 1994.
Signed with Ford in New York, IMG in Paris and Models 1 in
London, Patricia extended her resume from appearing in the
pages of Vogue and Elle, to appearing on the big screen.
Her debut role was as Maya in the 1996 film Le Jaguar, which
she followed up with a role in Eruption (aka Volcano Run) a
year later. 1999 was a huge year for Patricia, as she
appeared in Beowulf and No Vacancy; broke out despite a
small role, as Anck-Su-Namun in the sleeper hit, The Mummy;
and finally appeared in Faade (aka Death Valley).
Patricia stole the spotlight from cutey Heather Graham in
Committed, in a comedic turn as a waitress -- she was
especially noticed during the screening at the 2000 Sundance
Film Festival. That same year, she appeared with Pras and Ja
Rule in Turn It Up, and then starred in Saint Bernard.
Even with the glamour and glitz of Hollywood, Patricia never
forgets the struggling days of poverty growing up in
Venezuela. After her first few modeling gigs, she bought her
family a new home, made sure her 3 brothers received a
college education, and still supports causes such as the
advancement of Hispanics, fair treatment of indigenous
peoples, and the fight against pediatric AIDS. She also
launched a foundation to help Venezuelans.
Patricia will next be seen in the anticipated sequel to The
Mummy, The Mummy Returns, as the Pharaoh's untouchable wife.
She may be evil in the film, but it's surely her beauty that
makes her untouchable. |
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Other
Information |
A former model. Both of her parents are educators. Her
father worked for the UNESCO. Part Native American, her
mother's heritage derives from the Wayu tribe in Zulia state
in Venezuela.
Measurements: 33 1/2-23 1/2-35 (Source: Celebrity Sleuth
magazine)
Had a tough childhood with very little material possessions.
This gave her a valuable lesson in appreciating any fortune
bestowed upon her. As a result, she has developed a very
strong character, including being a vocal spokesperson for
Hispanic causes.
Her mother derives from The Wayu Tribe, Native American
Indians native to Venezuela. Her father is Venezuelan with a
touch of Spaniard.
Spent a couple of years in Milan, which helped her to become
a more sophisticated, classy and stylish woman.
Signed with Ford models in New York, IMG in Paris, and
Models 1 in London. She also extended her resume by
appearing on the pages of Vogue and Elle.
Ranked #16 in Stuff magazine's "102 Sexiest Women in the
World" (2002)
Spent the first four years in her life in Paris. After
Paris, the family relocated to Mexico for a few years then
returned to Venezuela. |
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