Gloria Maria Aspillera Diaz (; born April 5, 1951) is a Filipino actress, model, socialite, and beauty queen who won Miss Universe 1969, making history as the first Filipino Miss Universe.

Early life and family Diaz is one of 12 children of lawyer Jaime Diaz and model and socialite Teresa Aspillera. Her sister, Rio Díaz, was also an actress and beauty queen.

Pageantry Aged 18, while studying at the St. Scholastica's College in Manila, Díaz entered and won Binibining Pilipinas 1969.

Díaz then entered and won Miss Universe 1969, at Miami Beach, Florida, U.S. on July 19, 1969. In the final question round, her answer to the question regarding "men in the moon" charmed the audience and the judges. She was the first Filipina to win the Miss Universe crown. News of her victory (and her measurements) were communicated to the Apollo 11 crew members during their space mission.

During her reign, Díaz travelled through several countries to promote the advocacies supported by the Miss Universe Organization as well as appeared in many public and television events in the United States.

Acting career Beginnings Shortly after her reign as Miss Universe, she pursued an acting career in the Philippines, and in 1975, she was cast in her breakthrough performance as Isabel in the critically acclaimed Ang Pinakamagandang Hayop sa Balat ng Lupa. Her performance in the film was met with praise by film critics and was considered one of the most promising breakthroughs of any actress in Philippine cinema. Later that year, she was nominated for a FAMAS Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Lead Role.

Díaz continued acting in film for many years before trying out starring in television. It was in 1996 when she first appeared in the drama series Anna Karenina. She garnered popularity after appearing in the sitcom Kool Ka Lang on GMA Network in 1998. That same year, she appeared in the biopic film Jose Rizal where she played Rizal's mother Dona Teodora Alonso. Her portrayal of Rizal's mother won a Best Supporting Actress award at the 1998 Metro Manila Film Festival.

In 2006, Díaz was cast in the psychological thriller Nasaan Ka Man alongside award-winning actress Hilda Koronel, Claudine Barretto, Diether Ocampo and Jericho Rosales. For her role as Lilia, a woman trying to suppress her distraught as she tries to keep her family together, Díaz was once again nominated and eventually awarded as FAMAS Best Supporting Actress.Internet Movie Data Base for Nasaan Ka Man.

In 2009, she once again won a FAMAS Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the highly acclaimed film Sagrada Familia.

In 2010, she starred in two GMA projects, Beauty Queen and Diva. She returned to GMA for Mistaken Identity after a brief stint in 100 Days to Heaven.

In 2011, she played a supporting role in her first TV5 project, Glamorosa, as Dra. Claudia Montesilva-Herrera.

Recent works From 2012 to 2018, Díaz appeared in several ABS-CBN television dramas including Kung Ako'y Iiwan Mo, May Isang Pangarap, Mirabella, Dream Dad and had roles in MMK and an appearance in Ipaglaban Mo. She returned to GMA again in 2018 to play an evil mother role on Pamilya Roces. She also appeared in the comedy films Sisterakas and Kung Fu Divas.

In 2019, Díaz returned to ABS-CBN and was recently cast in the afternoon drama series Los Bastardos where she portrayed the role of Soledad Cardinal, the long-lost wife of Don Roman Cardinal (Ronaldo Valdez), and Consuelo Cuevas, the mother of Lorenzo Cuevas (Joseph Marco). She also appeared as a fictional version of herself in the second season of the Netflix series Insatiable with Dallas Roberts and Debby Ryan.

In 2020, Díaz returned to TV5 to play the role of Belinda "Tyang Bella" Vasquez on Oh My Dad!.

In 2022, Díaz returned to ABS-CBN to play the role of Helena "Helena Agcaoili-Wilson" on 2 Good 2 Be True. Via Kapamilya Channel And A2Z

In 2023, Díaz was a guest judge In Drag Race Philippines on HBO Go And WOW Presents Plus

Personal life Diaz married businessman and heir Gabriel Daza III in 1986, and had three children, including Isabelle Daza. They separated in 1995, and she has since been in a relationship with Michael Osmeña de Jesus, a Filipino banker.

In 2010, the Cebu chapter of the Vice Mayors League declared Gloria Diaz persona non grata after her Miss Universe comments on Cebuano models.

Through her sister, Diaz is an aunt of model and socialite Georgina Wilson.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role 1974 Ang Pinakamagandang Hayop sa Balat ng Lupa Isabel Amor Amor 1975 Ang Nobya Kong Sexy An Affair in Tahiti Sa Pag-ikot ng Mundo Balakyot Sa Ibabaw ng Lahat Diligin Mo ng Hamog ang Uhaw Na Lupa 1976 Pugad ng Agila Brutus Putik Ka Man... Sa Alabok Magbabalik Andalucia Dolores Ganito Kami Noon... Paano Kayo Ngayon? Diding 1977 Wanakosey Babae! Sinong Kapiling? Sinong Kasiping? Namangka sa Dalawang Ilog Bawal: For Men Only Babae... Ngayon at Kailanman 1978 Ibalik Mo ang Araw sa Mundong Makasalanan 1979 Ikaw ang Miss Universe Nang Buhay Ko 1980 Andres de Saya Matilde Wild Animals 1981 Uhaw Na Dagat Magda 1982 Five and the Skin Andres de Saya (Mabagsik Na Daw) Matilde 1983 Palabra de Honor Victoria Macho-nurin Hayop sa Ganda Nagalit ang Buwan sa Haba ng Gabi Stella de Joya Karibal Ko ang Aking Ina Minsan Isang Tag-init 1984 Hawakan Mo at Pigilan ang Kahapon May Lamok sa Loob ng Kulambo Ellen Rivas May Daga sa Labas ng Lungga Ellen Rivas 1985 Lalakwe Bea Vergo Goat Buster sa Templo ni Dune Jane Sa Totoo Lang! Amy Momooo Menudo at Pandesal 1986 Anomalya ni Andres de Saya Part III Matilde Mga Anghel ng Diyos Ang Daigdig Ay Isang Butil Na Luha 1987 Working Girls 2 Gabriela 1988 Sa Likod ng Kasalanan 1989 My Pretty Baby Chiara/Biata 1990 Sagot ng Puso Love at First Sight Mga Birhen ng Ermita Island of Desire Trese 1991 My Pretty Baby Ang Utol Kong Hoodlum Dexter 1992 Miss Na Miss Kita (Utol Kong Hoodlum II) Dexter 1993 Maj. Napoleon Velasco: Kumander Kalbo Abel Morado, Ikaw ang Maysala Dalawa Laban sa Mundo: Ang Siga at ang Beauty Gladys' mother 1994 Alyas Boy Ama: Tirador 1996 Dyesebel Banak 1997 Reputasyon Kirot sa Puso 1998 Miguel/Michelle Tinang José Rizal Teodora Alonzo 1999 Dahil May Isang Ikaw Nanay Ruby 2000 Bob, Verushka and the Pursuit of Happiness Botanica Vendor 2001 Bakit 'Di Totohanin Isabel 2002 Milagro's Calling Milagro Batang West Side Lolita Fordham 2003 Nympha Nana Issa Captain Barbell Cielo's mom 2004 So Happy Together Daisy 2005 Nasaan Ka Man Lilia 2006 Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo Charito 2007 Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo Charito 2008 Ang Tanging Ina N'yong Lahat Pres. Hillary Dafalong 2012 The Mommy Returns Mabel Sisterakas Maria Laurel 2013 Kung Fu Divas Charlotte's adoptive mother 2017 Si Chedeng at si Apple 2019 Unbreakable Helen Saavedra 2023 Mallari Doña Facunda Mallari 2025RekonekCory

Television Year Title Role 1969 Miss Universe 1969 Herself / Contestant / Winner 1970 Miss Universe 1970 Herself / Reigning Miss Universe 1974 Miss Universe 1974 Herself 1991 Maalaala Mo Kaya: Punyal 1995 Kapag May Katwiran... Ipaglaban Mo!: "Ang Kay Pedro'y kay Pedro" 1996–2002 Anna Karenina 1998–2003 Kool Ka Lang Nadia 2002–2003 Kung Mawawala Ka Czarina Montemayor 2004 Sarah the Teen Princess Wendy Star Circle National Teen Quest Judge 2007 Sana Maulit Muli Monica Johnson 2009–2010 Nagsimula sa Puso Pinky Ortega 2010 Diva Paula Fernandez 2010–2011 Beauty Queen Madame Yuri Sandoval 2011 100 Days to Heaven Dolores Bustamante Mistaken Identity Queen Mercedes 2011–2012 Glamorosa Claudia Montesilva-Herrera 2012 Kung Ako'y Iiwan Mo Elvie Raymundo 2013 May Isang Pangarap Olivia Rodriguez 2014 Mirabella Lucia Magnolia Flores Maalaala Mo Kaya: Seashells Adora 2014–2015 Dream Dad Nenita Viray-Javier 2017 Maalaala Mo Kaya: Salamin Helen Vela Maalaala Mo Kaya: Sumbrero Mommy 2018 Ipaglaban Mo: Daya Juanita Dear Uge: Mommy Pasaway Remedios Magpakailanman: The Ups and Downs of Snooky Serna Mila Ocampo Pamilya Roces Natalia Austria-Roces 2019 Precious Hearts Romances Presents: Los Bastardos Soledad de Jesus-Cardinal / Consuelo Cuevas Insatiable (season 2) Gloria Reyes 2020 Beauty Queens Dahlia Rodriguez-De Veyra 2020–2021 Oh My Dad! Belinda "Tyang Bella" Vasquez 2022 2 Good 2 Be True Helena Agcaoili-Wilson 2023 Drag Race Philippines Herself / Guest judge 2025 Walang Matigas na Pulis sa Matinik na Misis Nadia Hernando Beauty Empire Clara Imperial

Awards and nominations

Year Film/TV Show Category Organization Results 1975 Ang Pinakamagandang Hayop sa Balat ng Lupa Best Actress FAMAS Awards 1998 Jose Rizal Best Supporting Actress Metro Manila Film Festival 1999 Best Supporting Actress FAMAS Awards Miguel/Michelle Best Actress 2002 Batang West Side Best Supporting Actress Gawad Urian Awards 2006 Nasaan Ka Man FAMAS Awards Best Performance by Male or Female, Adult or Child, Individual or Ensemble in Leading or Supporting Role Young Critics Circle Movie Supporting Actress of the Year PMPC Star Awards for Movie Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role (Drama, Musical or Comedy) Golden Screen Awards for Movies 2007 Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo Best Supporting Actress Gawad Urian Awards 2008 Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo Movie Supporting Actress of the Year PMPC Star Awards for Movies 2010 Sagrada Familia Best Actress for a Supporting Role FAMAS Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role (Drama, Musical or Comedy) Golden Screen Awards for Movies 2024 Mallari Best Supporting Actress FAMAS Awards

Controversy In a TV Patrol interview shortly after the Miss Universe 2010 pageant on August 23, Díaz commented on Binibining Pilipinas contestant Venus Raj becoming 4th runner-up. She suggested in the interview that perhaps Raj and other Philippine representatives would benefit from answering pageant questions via the use of an interpreter rather than in English. Díaz further said that:

Her remark sparked outrage amongst many Cebuanos, who felt that Díaz insulted their English proficiency by championing the controversial issue of Tagalog imperialist culture in the Philippines. Cebuano politicians such as Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Congresswoman Rachel del Mar called on her to apologise. In response to the controversy, Díaz declared there was no need to apologize and instead clarified her remarks:

On September 1, 2010, the Vice Mayors' League of the Philippines-Cebu passed a resolution declaring Díaz a persona non grata within Cebu City.

See also

Margie Moran Pia Wurtzbach Catriona Gray Binibining Pilipinas Philippines at Major Beauty Pageants

References

External links