Shakira Martin

Biography

Shakira Martin (June 1, 1986 – August 3, 2016) was a Jamaican model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Jamaica Universe 2011 and represented Jamaica at Miss Universe 2011 in Brazil on September 12, 2011.

== Early life and career == Martin was born on June 1, 1986, in Brooklyn, New York. Her family relocated to South Florida in 1989, but would visit her mother's homeland of Jamaica frequently. She was a student of Nova High School and graduated in 2004. She then attended Broward College. Before becoming a model, Martin was a pre-school teacher. Martin competed in a pageant in Miami and came in second. A friend of Martin's convinced her to compete in Miss Jamaica Universe. Martin won the title of Miss Jamaica Universe in 2011 and used her crown as a platform to raise awareness for people affected by sickle cell anemia. in 2011, Martin was a part of a toy drive that donated 400 toys to ill children in a Jamaican hospital. She had modeled in countries such as Jamaica, Brazil, Canada and Haiti. Martin was diagnosed with sickle cell anemia at 3 months old. Both of Martin's parents had the trait for the disease and thus had a 25 percent chance of giving it to a child. Her brother is also a carrier of the trait.

== Death == According to Martin's mother, Martin wasn't feeling well after a trip to Jamaica. She died at 12:28 a.m. from complications with sickle cell blood clots in both her lungs. She was 30 years old.

== References ==

== External links == Martin's Official Facebook page Martin's Instagram Official Miss Universe Jamaica website (archived)