Chelsi Smith, former Miss USA and Miss Universe, dies of illness at age 45

Houston, Texas –

The family of the Miss Texas USA revolutionary winner and Miss Universe, Chelsi Smith, remembers her for leaving an "indelible mark" on everyone who knew her.

In a statement released Sunday, family members said that the winner of the "Triple Crown" contest, aged 45, had died Saturday as a result of a long illness.

"Chelsi was our loving daughter, niece and friend and we will miss her contagious laugh, her joie de vivre and her free spirit," he added. "She has always appreciated the expressions of love and goodwill from people around the world and from all walks of life."

Smith won the Miss Texas USA competition in 1995 and became Miss USA and Miss Universe the same year.

Smith was also Miss Galveston County in 1994. She grew up in Kingwood and Deer Park.

"After leaving her crown, she has set the bar for smart and enlightened women around the world, often pleading for causes that are dear to her," said her family.

A public memorial service is scheduled for October in Houston.

How she remembered in the world of the contest

Contest Coach J.J. Smith has met hundreds of competing women over the years, but he will never forget the first time he met Chelsi.

"There was something quite noticeable at home," he said. "She had something intangible that you can not really put your finger on."

Chelsi almost gave up after being named first runner-up at Miss Texas, but J.J. said he's encouraged her and worked with her. And the following year, she not only won Miss Texas USA, but also Miss USA and Miss Universe.

"She absolutely wanted to win and as we all know, she won and won," he said.

J.J. Smith has been a contest coach for winners for years, but Chelsi Smith was really the first young woman he said to have framed before officially starting his business as a coach. He also says that it is Chelsi who inspired him.

"There was a time when a blue-eyed blond had won Miss USA five years in a row," he said. "She wanted to kiss not only a black side or a white side, because she could relate to everyone, she wanted to put her arms around everyone, whatever your race is." "Kiss who you are." She clearly said "I'm bi-racial."

J.J said their friendship continued long after the reign. He showed a recent photo of their dinner in Houston.

Chelsi has even trained some of his clients in modeling. After giving up her crown, she continued to model, play and sing long after her pageant days. She has remained very private sometimes, J.J. says, even through her illness. He says that his death is such a loss and describes it as unforgettable.

"She made me a better person and I will carry her inheritance and try to pass it on to other people," he said.

———-
* Follow us on YouTube
* More local news
* Send us a tip
* Download the abc7NY app to follow the latest news