Zuleyka Rivera, the Puerto Rican beauty queen who captivated the world when she won Miss Universe 2006, just celebrated her birthday in the most iconic way, by wearing her crown once again and sharing a heartfelt reflection with fans.
The model and actress posted a video on her social media where she’s seen holding a cake, blowing glittery confetti into the air, and placing her sparkling Miss Universe crown on her head. With her radiant smile, signature fiery red hair, and undeniable charisma, Zuleyka turned the simple act of blowing out birthday candles into a moment full of symbolism and glamour.
A Birthday Filled With Gratitude and Reflection
In her caption, Zuleyka expressed the depth of her gratitude for life and its lessons: "Hurts so good 🤩 Life, every year you remind me that not everything is eternal, that time never stops, that everything changes; you make every moment gain immense value, what a blessing it is to be able to LIVE you with all the strength and intensity of my BEING 🥳 #happybirthday," she wrote.
One of the highlights of the video was when Zuleyka placed her Miss Universe crown on her head. Nearly two decades after winning the prestigious title, she proved that the crown remains a symbol not just of beauty, but of strength, confidence, and perseverance.
For her followers, seeing her wear it again was a nostalgic moment and a throwback to when she made history as the fifth Puerto Rican woman to win Miss Universe.
Fans Flood Her With Love
The post quickly attracted thousands of comments, with fans and celebrities showering her with birthday wishes, admiration, and emojis. Many highlighted her timeless beauty, while others praised her inspiring words.
"When I first saw the video, I thought she was going to announce that she’s the director of Miss Universe Puerto Rico 😂! But happy birthday 🎉," a fan joked. With two others adding: "Happy birthday to our forever queen!" and "Very happy birthday dear friend!! All the best on your trip around the sun. Kisses and blessings."
Zuleyka Rivera’s celebration wasn’t about extravagant parties but about meaningful symbolism.
Happy birthday, Zuleyka!
Always Celebrating
Rivera's celebration comes weeks after she attended Bad Bunny's residency "No me quiero ir de aquí" at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico. While each performance is a cultural celebration, the spotlight landed on none other than the former Miss Universe.
On each show, the Puerto Rican singer selects one audience member during every show to perform the chant "¡Acho, PR es otra cosa!" Rivera took the mic, sending the Coliseo into a frenzy.