Tatiana Silva

Tatiana Silva Braga Tavares (born 5 February 1985) is a Belgian model who was crowned Miss Belgium in 2005. She entered the pageant as Miss Brussels and represented Belgium at the Miss World contest in December 2005.

Early life in Belgium

Tatiana Silva was born in the Brussels suburb of Uccle (Ukkel). Her father is Cape Verdean. Her mother is Belgian. She was studying to become a PA or personal assistant and working as a shop assistant at the time of the contest.^[1] Fluent in French, Dutch, English, Portuguese and Cape Verdean Creole, she enjoys reading, dancing and traveling. She succeeded Miss Belgium 2004 Ellen Petri.

Miss Belgium

In 2005, Tatiana Silva won Miss Belgium. She succeeded 2004 winner Ellen Petri. Her win made headlines around the world as being the first Black Miss Belgium. She continued on to represent her country Belgium in the Miss World contest that year. A second Miss Belgium of African descent later won in 2012 Laura Beyne.

Ambassador for UNICEF

In 2014, Tatiana Silva join forces with UNICEF in combating poverty and hunger in the region of Africa. Her efforts in promoting the importance of education, nutrition and medicine can been seen through the UNICEF campaigns reflecting her visits to regions in West Africa and the factories dedicated to supporting those in need. Earlier in her joining the UNICEF team, she visited the country of Côte d'Ivoire, bringing attention to the country's difficulties. She continues to be an advocate for organizations like UNICEF and Handicap International. She has traveled to Angola as an Ambassador for Handicap International to rally support for Angolans with disabilities.^[2] Her objective is to help in any way possible and educate others on issues other countries endure. She is also an outspoken person for Cancer.

Professional Career in Television & Radio

In 2006, Tatiana Silva worked for the channel AB3 commenting on the reality TV show Miss Swan. In 2010, Tatiana Silva participated in the reality show Expeditie Robinson 2010 (en), a survival game in the tropics. In Belgium, this game is broadcast on Dutch channel 2BE. Her career continued in a number of joint efforts with M6, TV5 and the RTBF as a weather presenter and personality ((host)) on shows, such as, "C'est du belge", "Drôle d'été", "Cap 48" and "Printemps, grandeur nature". In April 2015, she co-hosts during one week "Les 2 font la paire" and Weekly radio on the 8/9 (2014) on Vivacité radio channel. Her career in Television and radio spans more than nine years.^[3]

Her moment in Music

In 2008, she released a single covering Nu Shooz's 1986 hit "I Can't Wait".^[4] She has been presenting the weather on Belgian channel RTBF since December 2009^[5] and on French channel M6 since April 2013.^[6]

Personal life

Tatiana Silva is also related to another famous Cape Verdean, singer: Mayra Andrade. The two are first cousins.

In June 2011, Belgian singer-songwriter Stromae confirmed he was dating Silva.^[7] Of her relationship with him, she said: "it is for life".^[8] They broke up in September 2012.^[9]

References

1. Nos Jornal. "Caboverdiana Tatiana Silva crowned Miss Belgium 2005." Retrieved 20 October 2007.
2. Tatiana, Silva. "Tatiana Silva visits Angola". Handicap International (in French).
3. Tatiana, Silva. "Tatiana Silva Official Website". Tatiana Silva.
4. Video on YouTube
5. "Une Miss Météo surprise !" (in French). DH.be. 22 December 2009. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
6. "Tatiana Silva débarque sur M6". Ciné Télé Revue (in French). 22 March 2013. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
7. LD (17 June 2011). "Stromae confirme être en couple avec Tatiana Silva". Cine Télé Revue (in French). Retrieved 9 May 2013.
8. "Tatiana Silva: "Stromae, c'est pour la vie"" (in French). 7SUR7.be. 7 November 2011. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
9. Delvaux, Catherine (26 April 2013). "Stromae et Tatiana Silva ont rompu" (in French). 7SUR7.be. Retrieved 9 May 2013.