Miss Columbia Daniela Rebeca Toloza Rocha reveals she tipped the scales at 16 stone following dad's death before weight loss

Daniela Rebeca Toloza Rocha took part in the Miss Universe beauty pageant last weekend as the representative for Colombia and has shared how the tragic loss of her father led her to overcome the difficult process of being overweight to achieve her dreams.

The drop-dead gorgeous 30-year-old said that at one point, she weighed 234lbs (106kg).

She explained: "I suffered a huge loss due to the violence in our country a few years ago; I lost my father and turned to food when I was 10. I gained an impressive amount of weight and at 22 I had to make a life decision in order to continue living."

She said she had bariatric surgery to turn her life around, saying: "I really want to share with you why I want to be your Miss Universe Colombia."

She continued: "Getting rid of ego, of wanting to be called 'The most beautiful woman in this country', I am here to remind you of the privilege of having YOUR body, of honouring your processes, of feeling absolutely proud of what you have today, and that you are still on the path to bring out your best version."

Daniela is a fashion designer and owns a clothing line named La Rochelle.

Daniela told her fans: "Today I can reaffirm that the only way to be sure of what you are, of what you can achieve as a woman, as a man, as any person, is to know your process. No one knows what you have been through, no one knows the pain and everything it has cost you to get here today."

She reminded her fans to believe in themselves and in their dreams, adding: "Five years ago I never thought I would be in Miss Universe Colombia today and today I am achieving it."

Victoria Kjaer Theilvig from Denmark has made history as the first Danish winner of Miss Universe, claiming the title for 2024 in Mexico.

At 21 years old, the competitive dancer, entrepreneur, and aspiring lawyer triumphed over more than 120 contestants to secure victory in the prestigious beauty pageant held in Mexico City on Saturday night.

Story: NewsX