Bui Simon

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Porntip Bui Simon
Born
Porntip Nakhirunkanok

(1969-02-07) February 7, 1969 (age 55)
Bangkok, Thailand
Height5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Spouse
Herbert Simon
(m. 2002)
Children2
Beauty pageant titleholder
Hair colorBlack[1]
Eye colorBrown[2]
Major
competition(s)
(Winner)
  • Miss Universe 1988 (winner)
  • Bui Simon (born Porntip Nakhirunkanok (Thai: ภรณ์ทิพย์ นาคหิรัญกนก; RTGSPhonthip Nakhirankanok; pronounced [pʰɔ̄ːn.tʰíp nâːk.hì.rān.kā.nòk]); February 7, 1969) is a Thai philanthropist and beauty queen who won Miss Universe 1988. Simon is president and founder of the Angels Wings Foundation.[3] She is on the Board of Regents of Pepperdine University, the Board of the Children's Museum of Indianapolis as a Distinguished Advisor and also is on the Board of Governors for the Dream Foundation.

    Biography

    Porntip Nakhirunkanok was born in Bangkok, Thailand. Her nickname is "Bui" (Thai: ปุ๋ย, RTGSPui, pronounced [pǔj]), which is her preferred name. It means "to sleep like a baby" in Thai.[citation needed] In the early 70's, she was brought to the United States by her family. She attended Washington Irving Middle School and Franklin High School in Los Angeles. In August 1988, Nakhirunkanok was presented the Thai Royal Medal of Honour, Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant, by King Bhumibol Adulyadej for her service in helping children in need. She received a second Royal Decoration in 2001, Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand.[citation needed]

    In 1989, she was named United Nations Goodwill Ambassador of Thailand by Air Chief Marshal Siddhi Savetsila, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand. As Goodwill Ambassador, she addressed the UN General Assembly concerning the Convention on the Rights of the Child. She graduated with a bachelor's degree psychology from Pepperdine University.[4]

    In 2002, she married

    Herbert Simon, an American businessman who is the owner of the Indiana Pacers basketball team and Simon Property Group
    .

    Pageantry

    In 1983, at the age of 15, Simon took part in the Miss California Teen USA where she was placed first runner-up. Upon her return to Thailand, she participated in the 1988 Miss Thailand pageant held in Bangkok where she won the right to represent Thailand at the Miss Universe pageant.

    Aged 19, Simon was crowned as

    Cancun
    , Mexico.

    References

    1. ^ Lai, Shirley (May 24, 1988). "Thai-Born Woman From California Captures Miss Universe Crown". Associated Press. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
    2. ^ "Miss Thailand, a 19-year-old beauty who has lived in..." UPI. May 24, 1988. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
    3. ^ a b c "From roots to wings". Bangkok Post. 12 July 2014.
    4. ^ "Porntip". June 26, 2001. Archived from the original on 2001-06-26.

    External links

    Awards and achievements
    Preceded by Miss Universe
    1988
    Succeeded by
    Preceded by Miss Thailand
    1988
    Succeeded by