Biography
Who is Penelope Coelen?
Early life and education
Penelope Anne Coelen was born in Durban, South Africa, on April 15, 1940. She spent her early years in the city and attended Durban Girls' High School.
Before achieving international fame, she worked as a secretary. During this period, she also developed musical skills and played the piano.
Miss World victory
In 1958, Penelope Coelen traveled to London to compete in the Miss World pageant. A total of twenty two contestants from various regions participated in the finals.
While European competitors dominated the semi-finals, the eighteen year old secretary was selected for the crown. This made her the second major international titleholder to come from Africa.
Her victory brought widespread international attention during her reign. She received multiple lucrative modeling offers, while the South African designer of her gowns, Bertha Pfister, also gained increased attention.
Later career and television
Following her reign, Penelope tried her luck in Hollywood. With the assistance of James Garner, she attempted a film career, but she failed her screen test.
She later managed her own line of clothing and endorsed various beauty products, with a particular focus on perfumes. On November 25, 1958, she appeared as a contestant on the television game show To Tell the Truth.
Decades later, she celebrated the 2014 Miss World victory achieved by South Africa's Rolene Strauss. She also made public appearances alongside the younger titleholder.
Family and personal life
Penelope Coelen returned to South Africa and married Michel Micky Rey, a wealthy sugarcane farmer from the Natal Province. Together, the couple raised five sons.
Away from her early modeling work, she ran a guesthouse, worked as a beauty consultant, and delivered public lectures.
Her husband Micky Rey passed away in 2019. One of her sons, Nicholas Rey, died in 2016 twelve years after suffering severe injuries in a polo accident, leading to the creation of the Nicholas Rey Foundation Trust in his memory.
Birthday and age
Penelope Coelen was born on April 15, 1940, which makes Penelope 86 years old today. That birthday falls under the Aries sign. Penelope shares the date with 35 other famous people.
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