Pia Wurtzbach

Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach (born 24 September 1989) is a Filipino-German actress, model, television host, and beauty queen who achieved international fame after being crowned Miss Universe 2015. She is celebrated not only for her beauty and grace but also for her intelligence, resilience, and advocacy work.
Pia’s journey from humble beginnings to global recognition has made her an inspirational figure in the Philippines and around the world, embodying perseverance, confidence, and empowerment.

Early Life and Background

• Full Name: Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach
• Birth: 24 September 1989, Stuttgart, Germany
• Nationality: Filipino-German
• Father: Klaus Wurtzbach (German entrepreneur)
• Mother: Cheryl Alonzo Tyndall (Filipino from Cagayan de Oro, Philippines)
• Siblings: Has one younger sister, Sarah Alonzo Wurtzbach.

Pia spent her early childhood in Cagayan de Oro, Mindanao, after her parents separated. She was raised primarily by her mother, who supported her education and career ambitions.

Education

• Attended Kong Hua School and Corpus Christi School in Cagayan de Oro.
• Studied culinary arts at the Center for Asian Culinary Studies in Manila under Chef Gene Gonzalez.
• Fluent in English, Tagalog, and German.

Early Career in Entertainment

Before her pageant success, Pia had an active career in the Philippine entertainment industry:

• Signed with Star Magic, ABS-CBN’s talent management arm, at age 11 under the screen name Pia Romero.
• Appeared in various television shows and films such as:
  • K2BU (2002)
  • Your Song
  • Bora
  • Kung Ako Na Lang Sana (2003)
• Worked as a model, host, and actress while pursuing her studies.

Despite her moderate success in show business, Pia aspired for greater recognition and sought to represent the Philippines on the international stage through beauty pageantry.

Journey to Miss Universe

1. Binibining Pilipinas Pageant Attempts:

Pia’s road to success was marked by determination and perseverance.

• 2013: Competed in Binibining Pilipinas (Miss Philippines) — finished as a semifinalist.
• 2014: Competed again — placed as 1st Runner-Up.
• 2015: Won the Binibining Pilipinas Universe title, earning the right to represent the Philippines at Miss Universe 2015.

Her persistence across three attempts became one of the defining aspects of her story, showcasing resilience and dedication.

Miss Universe 2015

• Date and Venue: 20 December 2015, Planet Hollywood, Las Vegas, USA.
• Historic Moment: The pageant became globally famous for a crowning mix-up — host Steve Harvey mistakenly announced Miss Colombia (Ariadna Gutiérrez) as the winner before correcting the error live, declaring Pia Wurtzbach as Miss Universe 2015.

Significance:

• Pia became the third Filipina to win the Miss Universe crown, following:
  • Gloria Diaz (1969)
  • Margarita Moran (1973)

Her calm, grace, and humility during the confusion won her worldwide admiration.

Advocacy and Humanitarian Work

As Miss Universe and beyond, Pia used her platform to promote social causes and humanitarian efforts:

1. HIV/AIDS Awareness:
   • Advocated for HIV testing and prevention, helping reduce stigma in the Philippines.
   • Named a UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador for Asia and the Pacific (2017).
2. Gender Equality and Women Empowerment:
   • Speaks actively on issues affecting women’s rights, self-confidence, and education.
3. Mental Health Advocacy:
   • Openly discussed her experiences with depression and anxiety to promote mental health awareness.
4. Disaster Relief and Charity Work:
   • Participated in fundraising and relief operations during natural disasters in the Philippines.

Life after Miss Universe

After completing her reign in 2016, Pia pursued various endeavours in entertainment, business, and advocacy.

1. Television and Film:
   • Returned to acting and hosting in the Philippines.
   • Appeared in shows like ASAP, Tonight with Boy Abunda, and My Perfect You (2018) alongside Gerald Anderson.
2. Modeling and Brand Endorsements:
   • Became a brand ambassador for global companies such as Olay, Huawei, and Bench.
   • Featured in magazines including Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Cosmopolitan Philippines.
3. Writing and Media Work:
   • Wrote columns for Philippine Daily Inquirer promoting empowerment and self-improvement.
4. Entrepreneurship:
   • Launched her own beauty and lifestyle ventures, collaborating with local and international brands.
5. Public Speaking:
   • Frequently invited as a speaker for conferences, universities, and women’s empowerment events.

Personal Life

• Pia has been open about her personal journey, discussing challenges she faced in career and life.
• She was in a relationship with Scottish entrepreneur Jeremy Jauncey, CEO of the travel company Beautiful Destinations.
• The couple got engaged in 2022 and married in Seychelles in 2023.