There are no eternal or insurmountable challenges. Iliana Marquez Pedrosa knows this all too well. Representing Venezuela in Miss Universe, she overcame adversity and learned valuable lessons. This beautiful woman, who is a teacher by profession, beat out some tough competition to become the first mother to win her country’s beauty pageant.
In an interview with HOLA! Americus spoke about her work as a single mother, how she deals with criticism, and inspiring stories from her childhood.
“When you know who you are, a lot of things don’t bother you. At first, the opinions were wild and it hurt me a lot. But then I realized that what people were saying about me… It turns out it’s not because they don’t know themselves. “
Iliana became a mother at the age of 16 and although she always had the support of her family, the experience was definitely difficult. Now, her 12-year-old daughter Guadalupe is one of her main motivators.
© FEDERICO PARRAI Liana Marquez of Amazonas walks in a gala dress during the Miss Venezuela beauty pageant in Caracas on December 7, 2023 (Photo by Federico PARRA/AFP) (Photo by FEDERICO PARRA/ (AFP via Getty Images)
Her experience as a teenage mother also motivated her to join the Niña Madre Foundation, which provides support and guidance to prevent adolescent pregnancy to children and teens in similar situations.
“As a teenage mother, I had a lot of anxiety, but I was lucky to have a lot of support from my mom.”
Ileana, who will be competing in the Miss Universe pageant to be held in Mexico City on November 16th, revealed to this magazine that she was inspired to compete in the Miss Universe pageant because of her grandmother.
Who introduced you to beauty pageants?
The inspiration for my charming love comes from my grandmother, who used to participate in a contest in town. She has always been an elegant woman and has a passion for dressing up. I remember watching Miss Venezuela with her and being fascinated by her description of the contestants as “angels walking on stage.” My grandmother asked me if I wanted to go there and I said, “Why not?” She inspired me to love dressing well, participating in beauty pageants, and walking down the runway with the grace of the angels I admired on TV.
What is the most important challenge you have encountered on this journey?
I thought it would be difficult to balance motherhood and career. However, I have found that by organizing my work schedule and being disciplined, I can juggle both responsibilities. I gradually came to understand that difficulties are temporary. New obstacles will always arise, but we can overcome them. Life is about learning and growing every day.
How was your experience as a mother?
Guadalupe and I have a great relationship. The most important thing for me is to instill values in her during an uncertain time as a mother because of everything going on in the world. I have to emphasize communication with my daughter so that she feels safe and confident and knows that her mother is here today, tomorrow and always.
© FEDERICO PARRAI Liana Marquez of Amazonas walks in a swimsuit during the Miss Venezuela beauty pageant in Caracas on December 7, 2023 (Photo by Federico PARRA/AFP) (Photo by FEDERICO PARRA/AFP) via Getty Images)
Who will take care of your daughter while you travel frequently?
I would like to thank my parents for supporting me from the beginning. My grandmother, aunt, and brother were also very supportive, especially when it came to caring for my daughter. She couldn’t have asked for a better caregiver.
What kind of thank you message would you like to hear from your parents for the support they have given you?
I am grateful beyond words for everything they have done for me. I want to tell them that they are the best parents and grandparents in the world. They should be proud of their humanity because they have played a great role in my life. I promise to give them the admiration and respect they deserve in every moment of my life, to the best of my ability.
Where does your interest in working with Niña Madre come from?
I volunteer with a foundation that is interested in programs that educate girls about the importance of responsible pregnancy. We have a development plan in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund to give young women the tools to plan their futures from a young age. For young mothers, we encourage them to prepare for their future and support them in continuing their education, pursuing a profession or starting a business. We also provide the knowledge and support to help them succeed and have a prosperous future.
© FEDERICO PARRA Miss Venezuela 2023 Miss Venezuela Iliana Marquez (left) of Amazonas State, the outgoing Miss Venezuela 2022, speaks during the Miss Venezuela beauty pageant in Caracas on December 7, 2023. The crown went to Diana Silva of Venezuela. (Photo by: Federico PARRA/AFP) (Photo by: FEDERICO PARRA/AFP via Getty Images)
Why did you decide to promote this initiative?
It reminds me of the challenges I faced as a teenage mother. I had a supportive mother, but there were no parenting classes back then, so she and I had to figure things out on our own. I now realize the importance of education and support for parents. I want to use my experience to help other young mothers. I want them to know that they can overcome their fears and worries, just like I did. One person’s story alone does not define who you are.
How have you dealt with criticism and negative comments as a single mother?
“If you know who you are, a lot of things don’t matter,” was a phrase I had difficulty understanding. Admittedly, it’s difficult to suddenly expose yourself in such a high-profile contest from an anonymous standpoint. I mention this pageant because I am now the queen of my country and am receiving a lot of attention. At first, public opinion was very harsh and I didn’t deny that it hurt me a lot, but eventually I realized what people were hurting. What they say about me is not a direct reflection of who I am, but rather their own experiences. And those who criticized him from behind the screen have now turned that into an asset. My advice especially to people in my country is to believe in yourself and know who you are. If you already know that, nothing will affect you. Always ignore all the negative things. Let’s turn it into a positive.
What advice would you give to mothers who are trying to make their dreams come true?
They have to believe in themselves and believe that they can achieve it. They have to repeat it to themselves every day. Otherwise, no woman would have achieved so much success, and many may not even realize that they achieved it on their own. But yes, it’s possible. It’s just a matter of trusting God and believing firmly. Because sometimes it takes me a while to get it to you, but it always gets to you. It will definitely come to you. Never stop believing in yourself and keep going.
This interview was translated from Spanish to English, edited and condensed for clarity.
