# Riyo Mori

> Japanese beauty pageant contestant

**Wikidata**: [Q242578](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q242578)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riyo_Mori)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/riyo-mori

## Summary
Riyo Mori is a Japanese beauty pageant contestant, model, ballet dancer, and tarento who gained international recognition after winning Miss Universe 2007, becoming the second Japanese woman to hold this prestigious title. Following her pageant success, she has established a career in entertainment and regular media appearances in Japan.

## Biography
- Born: December 24, 1986
- Nationality: Japanese
- Education: Toho Gakuen College of Drama and Music, Quintiles Academy
- Known for: Winning Miss Universe 2007
- Employer(s): No specific employers listed
- Field(s): Beauty pageantry, modeling, ballet entertainment, media appearances

## Contributions
Riyo Mori's most significant contribution was winning the Miss Universe competition in 2007, which brought international attention to Japan in the beauty pageant world and inspired many young Japanese women pursuing similar paths. She has since established herself as a tarento in Japan's entertainment industry, regularly appearing in mass media and using her platform to promote cultural exchange through her Japanese heritage.

## FAQs
- How did Riyo Mori become famous? Riyo Mori gained international fame after winning the Miss Universe competition in 2007, becoming only the second Japanese woman to win this prestigious title.
- What professional training has Riyo Mori received? She received formal education at Toho Gakuen College of Drama and Music and Quintiles Academy, with a background in ballet.
- What type of entertainment work does Riyo Mori do in Japan? After her pageant success, Mori has worked as a tarento, which are celebrities who regularly appear in mass media in Japan.
- How tall and heavy is Riyo Mori? According to public records, Riyo Mori stands at 173.0 cm (approximately 5'8") and weighs 54.0 kg (approximately 119 lbs).

## Why They Matter
Riyo Mori matters as a cultural ambassador who brought global recognition to Japan's representation in international beauty competitions. Her victory at Miss Universe 2007 demonstrated Japanese women's competitiveness on the world stage and opened doors for other Asian contestants in global pageants. As a tarento in Japan, she continues to influence popular culture and represents Japanese international identity through her media appearances and public engagements.

## Notable For
- Winning Miss Universe 2007, becoming the second Japanese woman to hold this title
- Being crowned at age 20, which was relatively young for a Miss Universe winner
- Standing at 173 cm (5'8") tall, above average for a beauty pageant contestant
- Making multiple media appearances as a tarento after her pageant career
- Being fluent in multiple languages including Japanese and English

## Body
### Early Life
Riyo Mori was born on December 24, 1986, in Japan. From a young age, she developed a passion for ballet, which would become a significant part of her identity and later influence her stage presence during competitions.

### Education
Mori pursued formal education at Toho Gakuen College of Drama and Music, where she likely honed her performance skills. She also attended Quintiles Academy, indicating her commitment to developing her talents professionally. Her ballet training complemented her academic pursuits, giving her a unique artistic foundation that would distinguish her in pageant competitions.

### Pageant Career
Mori's pageant journey reached its pinnacle in 2007 when she won Miss Japan, which qualified her to compete in the Miss Universe competition. At the age of 20, she traveled to Mexico City to represent Japan at Miss Universe 2007. Her grace, talent presentation (which included a ballet performance), and poise during the interview portion set her apart from other contestants.

### Miss Universe Victory
On May 28, 2007, Riyo Mori made history by winning the Miss Universe title, becoming only the second Japanese woman to achieve this distinction (after Akiko Kojima in 1959). This victory brought significant attention to Japan in the international beauty pageant community and elevated Mori to global celebrity status.

### Professional Career
Following her Miss Universe victory, Mori returned to Japan where she established herself as a tarento—a type of celebrity who regularly appears in mass media. She has made numerous television appearances, used her platform for cultural exchange, and has maintained a public presence through social media with handles like @MriyoRiyo on Twitter and @riyomori_ on Instagram. She also operates a personal website at http://riyo-mori.com/ where fans can follow her activities.

### Personal Attributes
Mori is known for her height (173 cm or approximately 5'8") and slim build (54 kg or approximately 119 lbs), which contributed to her distinctive appearance in beauty competitions. Her ballet background provided her with exceptional posture, grace, and stage presence that set her apart from other contestants.

### Legacy
As a former Miss Universe, Mori has continued to represent Japan on international platforms, participating in various cultural and charitable events. Her success has inspired a new generation of Japanese women interested in beauty pageants and international representation. While she has not ventured into traditional entertainment fields like acting or music in a major way, her presence in media as a tarento has allowed her to maintain relevance in Japanese popular culture.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. The Fashion Model Directory (FMD)
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. IMDb
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. The Movie Database