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Maria Desiree Duran Morales
 Miss Bolivia Universe 2006

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Doesn't Bolivia's Desiree Duran look like she just stepped out from a giant fashion billboard? A quintessential gregarious girl, she has so much bad press and material back in her country concerning her blithe behavior. And that's not to say that Desiree doesn't have a wild side in real life just like anybody. She is set to the ranks of A-class competitors in this year's Miss Universe.

 

At the age of 15, Desiree had to face one of the hardest blows in her life, the divorce of her parents Hertzog Durán and Edy Morales. She is currently living with her mom and stepfather, Germáno Rodriguez. She never forgets to visit her paternal father. The 19 year-old only girl of her family has two brothers, namely, Rubén Darío and José David. She is currently taking up Petroleum Engineering at a popular university in Bolivia.

 

Miss Litoral Desiree Duran was chosen as Miss Bolivia Universe in Santa Cruz on Aug. 5, 2005. Other victors include Miss Bolivia World Viviana Mendez and Miss Bolivia International Gretel Stehli. A few hours after her coronation, a spontaneous and charismatic Desiree - who was also voted Miss Friendship – walked in the streets of Santa Cruz to greet admirers who asked for her autograph and offered her food. Prior to the finale, she was chosen Miss Photogenic by the press & photographers. "I thank the executive president of Promociones Gloria Limpias for all the times that she called my attention, telling me 'not to eat too much' and 'not to do this or that.' I am very happy. I trust in God," Desiree said in between sobs minutes after being chosen Miss Bolivia.    

 

Desirée is having a year of stormy reign as Miss Bolivia because of her alleged unprofessional conduct and love affair with a married man that have infuriated the Miss Bolivia organizers. Tatiana Limpias, general manager of Promociones Gloria revealed in a press conference that Desiree was subject to dethronement because of her lack of discipline and failure to attend preparations set for her. "It is difficult to control her. She promised to change but later on, she would cause the same problem. There were a lot of instances where we could not find her and she won't answer our calls." In a recent meeting between Desiree and the executives of Promociones Gloria, issues were settled as Desiree obliged to undertake all necessary preparatory courses for the Miss Universe contest. "I compromised with them and will act in accordance with my preparations. I admit the error and I have learned a lot and I am going to continue all trainings & programs as Miss Bolivia. I am also human and at times, I commit mistakes. What's important is to admit your faults and move ahead." 

   

On her so-called love triangle that involved herself, Randy Ebright (the American member of the Mexican rock group Molotov) and Ebright's Mexican wife Patricia Salcedo, Desiree confessed that she had no idea that he was married. She and Ebright were romantically linked for six months; She broke up the relationship because it interfered with her preparations for Miss Universe.

 

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