Shakira Martin (model)
Shakira Martin (June 1, 1986 – August 3, 2016) was a Jamaican model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Jamaica Universe 2011 and represented Jamaica at Miss Universe 2011 in Brazil on September 12, 2011.
Shakira Martin | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 1, 1986 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Died | August 3, 2016 (aged 30) Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Broward College |
| Occupation | Model |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
| Beauty pageant titleholder | |
| Title | Miss Jamaica Universe 2011 |
| Hair color | Black |
| Eye color | Brown |
| Major competition(s) | Miss Jamaica Universe 2011 (Winner) Miss Universe 2011 (Unplaced) |
| Nationality | Jamaican |
| Known for | Miss Jamaica Universe 2011 |
Early life and career
Martin was born on June 1, 1986, in Brooklyn, New York. Her family relocated to South Florida in 1989, but would visit her mother's homeland of Jamaica frequently. She was a student of Nova High School and graduated in 2004. She then attended Broward College.[1] Before becoming a model, Martin was a pre-school teacher.[2] Martin competed in a pageant in Miami and came in second. A friend of Martin's convinced her to compete in Miss Jamaica Universe.[1] Martin won the title of Miss Jamaica Universe in 2011 and used her crown as a platform to raise awareness for people affected by sickle cell anemia.[2] in 2011, Martin was a part of a toy drive that donated 400 toys to ill children in a Jamaican hospital.[1] She had modeled in countries such as Jamaica, Brazil, Canada and Haiti.[3]
Martin was diagnosed with sickle cell anemia at 3 months old.[3] Both of Martin's parents had the trait for the disease and thus had a 25 percent chance of giving it to a child. Her brother is also a carrier of the trait.[4]
Death
According to Martin's mother, Martin wasn't feeling well after a trip to Jamaica.[1] She died at 12:28 a.m. from complications with sickle cell blood clots in both her lungs.[5][6] She was 30 years old.[2]
References
- Huriash, Lisa. "Shakira Martin, 2011 Miss Jamaica Universe, dies at 30". Sun Sentinel. Sun Sentinel. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
- Hayles, Olivea (July 28, 2011). "Shakira Martin is Committed". The Gleaner. The Gleaner Company. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
- Riley, Gavin (August 2, 2016). "Former Miss Jamaica Universe Shakira Martin has died". Loop Jamaica. Trend Media. Archived from the original on 5 August 2016. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
- Wilson, Nadine (July 18, 2011). "Miss Ja Universe's sickle cell fight". All Woman. Jamaican Observer. Archived from the original on 6 August 2016. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
- Henry, Davina (August 3, 2016). "Shakira Was Never A Slave To Her Disease, Says Mother Of Former Miss Ja Universe". The Gleaner. The Gleaner Company. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
- "Miss Ja Universe 2011 dies from sickle cell". Jamaican Observer. Jamaican Observer. August 3, 2016. Archived from the original on 31 March 2019. Retrieved 5 August 2016.