THE legendary Sir Bruce Forsyth’s legacy long lives on following his death in 2017 aged 89.
During his life he was married to former Miss World Wilnelia Merced for over three decades.
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Who is Bruce Forsyth’s wife Wilnelia Merced?
Wilnelia Merced was born in Puerto Rico on October 12, 1957.
She is best known for being the 1975 winner of international beauty competition Miss World.
It was the most romantic time in my life.
Bruce Forsyth on meeting his wife
After passing on her Miss World crown in 1976, she was signed by Ford Models in New York City. In 1978, a giant poster of Wilnelia Merced was displayed in Times Square.
Read more on Bruce Forsyth
Right up until 2016, she was the only Puerto Rican to win the Miss World title.
She is also the youngest woman, at the age of 18, to win the beauty pageant.
How did Wilnelia Merced meet Bruce Forsyth?
In 1980, Wilnelia was asked to judge Miss World which was taking place in the UK.
She was introduced to Bruce Forsyth, who was also a judge, they fell in love, despite the 30-year age gap.
He proposed to her down on one knee during a trip to the Lake District and they were married three years later.
They have a son called Jonathan.
Speaking in 1996 about the early days of the relationship, Bruce told Desert Island Discs: “It was the most romantic time in my life.
“I was going over to New York to see her and she was coming over here, working in Paris and maybe seeing her.
“It was all very romantic, the phone calls, the going there and the coming here and all that sort of thing.”
Sir Bruce Forsyth: Over 70 years in television
What does Wilnelia Merced do?
Wilnelia was known as Winnie to her husband Bruce.
She has a foundation to help Puerto Rico’s under-privileged children.
Wilnelia also organises charity balls to go towards this cause.
In 2019, it was reported that she made £5.4M after shutting down her late husband’s business.
Who was Bruce Forsyth?
Bruce Forsyth was British TV star and entertainer, who passed away on August 18 at the age of 89.
He first appeared on TV in 1939 aged 11, singing and dancing on the show Come And Be Televised
Three years later he made his professional debut as The Mighty Atom, a solo song-and-dance act.
But his big break came when he 30 and he was given the job of hosting ITV’s Sunday Night At The London Palladium.
He then went on to front other big telly favourites including The Generation Game and Play Your Cards Right.
Towards the end of his life, he best known for hosting Strictly Come Dancing.
Talking about leaving the show, he told Loose Women in 2015: “Whoever leaves a show at the top? Well I did. It was time for me to go, and there are other things to do.”
In 1998, Bruce was given an OBE and then went on to receive a knighthood in 2011.
In 2018, Wilnelia presented the Bruce Forsyth award to Ant and Dec for their show Saturday Night Takeaway at the NTAs and made a heartwarming speech on stage to her late husband.
She said: “It’s been incredibly difficult. We all miss him and are just taking it a day at a time.
“I’m so proud and honoured that this special award is named after my darling Bruce.
“I know he would have loved it because show-business was his life.
“Everyone has been so supportive. It’s been difficult but this award means so much. It is a lovely tribute.”
