Chapter 6: The nicest girl I ever saw

The last thing in the world I wanted was to get married again. But not only was Wilnelia the most beautiful thing I’d seen in my life, she was the nicest. I’d known lots of beautiful girls but she had a niceness I’d never found before. If there’s any ‘young at heart’ left in me it’s because of her.

In November 1980 I had received an invitation to be a member of the Miss World judging panel. I arrived at the Royal Albert hall and had met most of my fellow judges when I saw her out of the corner of my eye, walking through the door – a vision in a red dress. My jaw dropped, and it’s a big jaw to drop.

When the music started, we danced and it was perfect. I felt like I was in a dream, floating across the dancefloor. I asked her name. She told me, Wilnelia Merced, and that she lived in New York where she worked as a fashion model. In the summer of 1982, on the balcony of our hotel room, with a beautiful moon lighting the scene, I dropped to one knee and asked her to marry me. She said: ‘I have thought about it, Bruce. I don’t need to think any longer. I know the answer. I’ve never been in love before, but I am now. With you. My answer is yes.’

Bruce is pictured with Winelia and their son Jonathan Joseph.