Kaiane Aldorino

Kaiane Loise Aldorino Lopez, GMH (née Aldorino; born 8 July 1986)[1] is a Gibraltarian politician, former Mayor of Gibraltar and beauty queen who won Miss World 2009. From 2017 to 2019, she held the ceremonial position of Mayor of Gibraltar, after previously serving as Deputy Mayor since 2014.[2][3]

Kaiane Aldorino Lopez GMH
16th Mayor of Gibraltar
In office 5 April 2017 – 4 April 2019
Preceded by	Adolfo Canepa
Succeeded by	John Gonçalves
Personal details
Born	Kaiane Loise Aldorino (1986-07-08) 8 July 1986 Gibraltar[1]
Nationality	British (Gibraltarian)
Spouse(s)	Aron Lopez ( m. 2015)
Children	1

Aldorino previously was a beauty pageant titleholder, being crowned Miss Gibraltar 2009, and later winning Miss World 2009 in Johannesburg, South Africa.[4] She was the first Gibraltarian woman ever to reach the semifinals of a major international pageant, and is the only to ever win one, as well.[5]

Early and personal life

Aldorino was born and raised in Gibraltar. Prior to becoming Miss Gibraltar 2009, she had been working as a human resources clerk at St Bernard's Hospital for five years.[6][7] Aldorino was raised bilingually, speaking both English and Spanish, like most Gibraltarians.[8][7]

Aldorino began dancing at the age of 14, with Urban Dance Group. She participated at the 2008 International Dance Organization World Showdance Championships, in Riesa, Germany, where she represented Gibraltar in the Formation category as part of the Gibraltar National Dance Team.[7] They placed 17th, and made history by being the first Gibraltarian formation team to pass the first round.[9]

Aldorino married Aron Lopez in June 2015.[10] They have one daughter, born in 2016.

Miss Gibraltar 2009

On 27 June 2009, Aldorino was crowned Miss Gibraltar 2009, succeeding Krystle Robba at the Alameda Open Air Theatre.[6]

Miss World 2009

Main article: Miss World 2009

Miss World 2009 during her homecoming celebrations in Gibraltar, 17 December 2009.

Aldorino made history on 12 December 2009, by becoming the first ever Miss Gibraltar to be crowned Miss World.[4] She was also the first Gibraltarian contestant to have reached the semifinals of one of the major international pageants after receiving the title of Miss World Beach Beauty.[11]

Shortly after Aldorino was crowned by her predecessor, Ksenia Sukhinova of Russia, Gibraltar burst into celebration as many Gibraltarians took to the streets. Supporters waved the flag of Gibraltar, chanted as cars honked their horns, and fireworks were set off.[12] Chief Minister of Gibraltar Peter Caruana hailed her win as a "wonderful achievement for her and for Gibraltar" and promised a "homecoming fit for a queen".[11] In 2010, she was guest judge in the final Mister World 2010 beauty pageant in Incheon, South Korea.

During her reign, Lopez traveled to over 40 countries. Some of these countries include: United Arab Emirates, Japan, Brunei, Hong Kong, Canada, United States, Spain, Germany, Korea, Italy, Indonesia, South Africa, Ireland, and China.

Homecoming

On 15 December 2009, HM Government of Gibraltar announced Aldorino would be flown into Gibraltar from London on a private jet the following afternoon.[13] On 16 December 2009, the government issued a press release in which it detailed the events that would take place upon Aldorino's arrival. These included a public greeting at Gibraltar Airport, a parade through Main Street where Aldorino would ride in the same convertible car as Diana, Princess of Wales and Prince Charles during their honeymoon visit to Gibraltar.[14] On 17 December 2009, Aldorino paraded down Main Street preceded by the band of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment, and then appeared at the City Hall balcony. This was followed by a press conference and reception at the Rock Hotel. The celebrations culminated with a fireworks display from Gibraltar Harbour.[15] The Government also requested all businesses in Gibraltar who were reasonably able to do so to close between 4pm and 6pm on this day to allow their staff to take part in the welcoming celebrations.[15]

Political career

Mayor of Gibraltar

In March 2014, Aldorino was appointed deputy to the Mayor of Gibraltar, Adolfo Canepa, as a result of a motion by the Chief Minister Fabian Picardo, passed by the Parliament.[16]

On 5 April 2017, she became the mayor of the territory.

Awards

On 7 July 2011, Aldorino was the awarded with both the Freedom of the City of Gibraltar and the Gibraltar Medallion of Honour by a unanimous vote in the Gibraltar Parliament. The motion which was tabled by Chief Minister of Gibraltar Peter Caruana recognised her:

extraordinary personal achievement in becoming Miss World 2009 and … the enormous pride and global recognition that her achievement has represented for Gibraltar as a whole.

Aldorino became the first woman to receive the Freedom of the City in Gibraltar.[17]

References

1. "Film # 008072651 Image Film # 008072651; ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSNH-6SFL-R — FamilySearch.org". Retrieved 3 January 2018.
2. "Gibraltar News". GibLive!. Archived from the original on 29 January 2016. Retrieved 10 October 2015.
3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2017-03-17. Retrieved 2017-03-16.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
4. "Breaking news: Miss Gibraltar wins Miss World! Chief Minister promises 'Royal' welcome for Kaiane". Gibraltar Chronicle. Archived from the original on 2009-12-18. Retrieved 2012-11-27.
5. "Kaiane takes Gibraltar into the first ever Miss World final". Gibraltar Chronicle. Archived from the original on 2012-12-22. Retrieved 2012-11-27.
6. "Kaiane Aldorino is crowned Miss Gibraltar 2009". Gibraltar Chronicle. Archived from the original on 2012-02-27. Retrieved 2012-11-27.
7. Miss World Profile Archived December 17, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
8. "Rocky claim to fame for Britain as Kaiane Aldorino from Gibraltar wins Miss World". Times Online. Retrieved 2012-11-27.
9. 7 Days - Gibraltar in four finals at the World Showdance Championships Archived July 23, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
10. "Kaiane Aldorino, Miss World 2009, gets married". The Great Pageant Community. 24 June 2015.
11. "Kaiane takes Gibraltar into first eve Miss World Final". Gibraltar Chronicle. Archived from the original on 2012-12-22. Retrieved 2012-11-27.
12. "Gibraltar Chronicle - Gibraltar shouts WOW! with joy as Kaiane grabs Miss World title". Chronicle.gi. Archived from the original on 2012-08-12. Retrieved 2012-11-27.
13. "Our Miss World comes home to Rock welcome this Thursday". Gibraltar Chronicle. Archived from the original on 2012-02-27. Retrieved 2012-11-27.
14. "Government of Gibraltar Press Release - Miss World 2009, Kaiane Aldorino (Miss Gibraltar) Welcome Home Celebration" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-11-27.
15. "Government of Gibraltar Press Release - Miss World Homecoming" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-11-27.
16. Panorama - Kaiane Aldorino Retrieved 10 October 2015
17. "Kaiane Receives Rock's Top Accolades For Miss World Triumph". Gibraltar Chronicle. 8 July 2011. Archived from the original on 9 July 2011. Retrieved 15 July 2011.

External links

• Official Miss Gibraltar pageant website

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Ksenia Sukhinova	Miss World 2009	Succeeded by Alexandria Mills
Preceded by Ksenia Sukhinova	Miss World Europe 2009	Succeeded by Emma Britt Waldron
Preceded by Anagabriela Espinoza	Miss World Beach Beauty 2009	Succeeded by Yara Lasanta
Preceded by Krystle Robba	Miss Gibraltar 2009	Succeeded by Larissa Dalli