Velásquez was born in Barquisimeto , Venezuela , the fifth of six children . Her father is mestizo and her mother a member of the indigenous Wayuu people . Her parents were both teachers ; her father also worked for UNESCO and was assigned to other countries . Velásquez grew up with her family in Mexico and France . She attended San Vicente de Paul High School , graduating in 1987 . In 1989 , she participated in the Miss Venezuela 1989 contest . She represented Peninsula de la Goajira , a center of the Wayuu people , and placed as 2nd runner-up . After three years of engineering studies at college , Velásquez left for Milan , Italy , in pursuit of a modelling career . She is fluent in English , Spanish , French , and Italian
Miss Venezuela 1989
Miss Venezuela 1989
Patricia Velásquez