Venezuelan Beauty Queen Succumbs to Cancer
Former Miss Venezuela Eva Ekvall died in Houston on Saturday after struggling with breast cancer, according to Venezuelan TV news network Globovision. Eva Ekvall, 28 had previously worked to promote cancer awareness since she was diagnosed of the disease in 2010.
It was in 2000 when Eva Ekvall won the Miss Venezuela 2000 and won 3rd runner-up in the Miss Universe 2011. Likewise, Ekvall was an actress and television anchor. Ekvall was bald and without any makeup in her self-written book, Fuera de Foco (Out of Focus), which narrated her story and struggle with the deadly breast cancer. Photos taken by Roberto Mata were also featured in the book, which was released this year.
SenosAyuda, a Caracas-based breast cancer awareness organization, stated in a tribute on its website that Ekvall struggle will pave the way for thousands of Venezuelan women. The tribute said in Spanish, "Thank you for so much in so little time."
Hospital in Houston where Ekvall passed away and the funeral where her body was taken refused to comment on her death. The former beauty queen was survived by her husband, her daughter, her parents and her brother.