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Patricia Fuenmayor, Former Miss South America Winner and Venezuelan TV Presenter, Dies at 51
Patricia Fuenmayor died at the age of 51 after a battle with cancer, according to Despierta América
Fuenmayor worked as a New York correspondent for the Venezuelan news outlet prior to her death
She previously competed in pageants, winning Miss South America in 1998Patricia Fuenmayor has died.
Univision's Venezuelan news outlet, where the journalist worked, called Despierta América, announced her death on Instagram on Monday, June 9. She was 51.
"We deeply regret the passing of Patricia Fuenmayor, our colleague and correspondent in New York,' the post read. 'May she rest in peace."
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The comments flooded with heartfelt messages from those who loved Fuenmayor. Many expressed shock, with one writing: 'How come God? What happened to Patricia?'
Another said, 'I can't believe this 💔💔💔.'
Her fellow television presenters also mourned the loss.
'What a great pain Patricia!' anchor Elyangelica Gonzalez wrote. 'May God receive you in his holy glory, give strength to your family and comfort your beloved children. The sky today is much prettier with your arrival.'
Astrid Rivera echoed that sentiment, calling the news 'painful.'
'Good colleague, tremendous journalist, and excellent woman and mother,' she continued. 'Rest in Peace beautiful. We will miss you as a team work and the world will miss a beautiful woman like you.'
Angie Perez commented: 'Beautiful friend 😢 Rest in the peace of the Lord that passes all understanding 🙏🏻 I pray for your children and your husband: that it is Christ filling that void in their hearts that leaves your departure. I'm so sorry 😞💔.'
Raúl González, a host on Despierta América, later revealed that Fuenmayor had been battling cancer.
"This is news we don't like to share,' he said on the June 9 episode of the program. 'The Despierta América family has suffered a great loss. Our friend and colleague Patricia Fuenmayor passed away early this morning after a tough battle with cancer.'
"A passionate, professional woman, always dedicated to her reporting,' he concluded. 'Thank you, Patricia, for your light, your dedication, and your smile. We will always remember you.'
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Fuenmayor last posted on her social media to celebrate her family on Valentine's Day. She was married to Jorge Safar Perez, a surgeon, and the pair shared a daughter and a son together.
In addition to her successful career as a TV presenter, Fuenmayor was a pageant queen. She was a finalist in the 1997 Miss Venezuela competition and was crowned Miss South America in 1998.
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