Alicia Machado

Alicia Machado was born Yoseph Alicia Machado in Maracay Venezuela on the 6th of December, 1976. Alicia comes from a diverse background with her father Spanish and her mother is from Cuban heritage. She has been a well-known figure on television and beauty contests. Alicia Machado began her rise to fame at 19, she won her title as Miss Venezuela representing Yaracuy. A year later, she became the 4th Venezuelan woman to be named Miss Universe 1996. Her reign in the role of Miss Universe, however, was not without controversy and unfavorable media attention because of her weight gain during her reign. Donald Trump, who owned the Miss Universe Organization at the time, publicly ridiculed her regarding her weight gain even calling her "Miss Piggy" and making her exercise before the press. The incident ignited a long-running dispute with Alicia as well as Trump.