Who is Wilnelia Merced? Bruce Forsyth’s widow, former Miss World and Puerto Rican actress

Who is Wilnelia Merced? Bruce Forsyth’s widow, former Miss World and Puerto Rican actress – all you need to know

The Puerto Rican beauty was married to Sir Bruce for 34 years until he passed away aged 89

By Georgina Littlejohn 21st August 2017, 6:55 pmUpdated: 21st August 2017, 6:56 pm

SIR Bruce Forsyth was married to his now widow Wilnelia Merced for 34 years, before his sad death at the age of 89.

She was a former Miss World but what else do we about the widow of the TV icon who passed away after a long battle with ill-health. Here's the story...

Lady Wilnelia was married to Sir Bruce Forsyth for 33 yearsGETTY IMAGES
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Lady Wilnelia was married to Sir Bruce Forsyth for 33 years
Who is Wilnelia Merced?

Wilnelia was the 1975 winner of international beauty competition Miss World.

She was born and raised in Puerto Rico and became – and still is - the only Puerto Rican to win the Miss World title.

She is also the youngest woman, at the age of 18, to win the beauty pageant.

How did Wilnelia Merced meet Bruce Forsyth?

In 1980, she was asked to judge Miss World which was taking place in the UK.

She was introduced to Bruce, who was also a judge, they fell in love, despite the 30-year age gap.

He proposed to her down on one knee during a trip to the Lake District and they were married three years later. They have a son called Jonathan.

She recently spoke about her late husband's recovery from major surgery last yearGETTY IMAGES

She recently spoke about her late husband's recovery from major surgery last year
What does Wilnelia Merced do apart from being Lady Wilnelia Forsyth?

Wilnelia was known as Winnie to her husband Bruce.

She has a foundation to help Puerto Rico's under-privileged children.

She organises charity balls to go towards this cause.

Wilnelia won Miss World in 1975 - the only Puerto Rican and the youngest to this day to be crowned REX FEATURES

Wilnelia won Miss World in 1975 - the only Puerto Rican and the youngest to this day to be crowned
Who was Bruce Forsyth?

Bruce Forsyth was British TV star and entertainer, who passed away on August 18 at the age of 89.

Bruce first appeared on TV in 1939 aged 11, singing and dancing on the show Come And Be Televised

Three years later he made his professional debut as The Mighty Atom, a solo song-and-dance act.

But his big break came when he 30 and he was given the job of hosting ITV’s Sunday Night At The London Palladium.

He then went on to front other big telly favourites including The Generation Game and Play Your Cards Right.

He is best known these days for hosting Strictly Come Dancing.

Talking about leaving the show, he told Loose Women in 2015: “Whoever leaves a show at the top? Well I did. It was time for me to go, and there are other things to do.”

In 1998, Bruce was given an OBE and then went on to receive a knighthood in 2011.

It has been reported that Bruce's £17m fortune has been left to Wilnelia and she will be entrusted with distributing it between his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/2135834/wilnelia-merced-bruce-forsyth-wife-widow-death