Riyo Mori

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Riyo Mori

Role / Field:

Japanese actress, dancer, model, and beauty queen crowned Miss Universe 2007.

Born:

1986-12-24

Century / Era:

1986s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Riyo Mori (森 理世, Mori Riyo) (born December 24, 1986) is a Japanese actress, dancer, model, and beauty queen who was crowned Miss Universe 2007 in Mexico City. An only child, Mori began dancing at age four. She studied at Quinte Ballet School and graduated from Centennial Secondary School in Belleville, Ontario, Canada. Mori also completed her Grade 11 year at Mount Douglas Secondary School in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. On August 28, 2018, she married Brent Kaspar, an American attorney.

Career & Major Achievements

Mori was crowned Miss Universe on May 28, 2007, by the outgoing titleholder, Zuleyka Rivera. In the final competition, broadcast internationally on May 28, 2007, Mori was announced as one of 15 semifinalists who would compete for the title. She received the highest score in the swimsuit competition, which advanced her to the top ten and the evening gown competition, in which she placed fourth. Mori's kimono-inspired black/floral evening gown of choice came from Gucci's spring/summer 2007 collection. In the last round, Elle magazine fashion director and Project Runway judge Nina Garcia asked Mori to speak about a lesson she learned as a child that still affects her life.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Mori said that she had been dancing since childhood and hence was constantly surrounded by students and teachers. She said she had learned from them to always be happy, patient, and positive. She also expressed a desire to teach these principles to the next generation. At the conclusion of the competition, Mori was crowned Miss Universe, becoming only the second Japanese woman to hold the title, after Akiko Kojima in 1959. Mori is the 11th Asian woman to win the pageant.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1959: 1959 Milestone — At the conclusion of the competition, Mori was crowned Miss Universe, becoming only the second Japanese woman to hold the title, after Akiko Kojima in 1959.
2. 1986 (1986-12-24): Birth of Riyo Mori — Japanese actress, dancer, model, and beauty queen crowned Miss Universe 2007.
3. 2007: 2007 Milestone — Mori was crowned Miss Universe on May 28, 2007, by the outgoing titleholder, Zuleyka Rivera.
4. 2018: 2018 Milestone — On August 28, 2018, she married Brent Kaspar, an American attorney.

Notable Quotes by Riyo Mori

“I think I have a samurai soul, I'm very patient, and I can serve others.” (2007)

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Riyo Mori

True or False: “Riyo Mori was the first Japanese woman to win the Miss Universe title in the modern era.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): She was not the first; Akiko Kojima previously held the title for Japan in 1959.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Riyo Mori