Mexican influencer Valeria Mireles, who was known as ‘Miss Rodeo,’ has died at the age of 20.
Mireles was killed in a car accident Monday night in the northeastern state of Nuevo León, according to multiple news outlets.
According to news outlet N+, her parents have ‘asked that their privacy be respected at this difficult time,’ offering no further public comment on the tragic loss.
Mireles’ uncle, David González, the former mayor of her hometown Sabinas Hidalgo, mourned the rodeo queen with a Facebook post Monday.
‘Niece Ana Valeria Mireles Villarreal, you will always live in our hearts,’ González wrote. ‘We will miss you very much.’
Mireles had more than 27,000 followers on Instagram and over 47,000 on TikTok – her last post on the social media platform was a video of herself and a friend dancing Saturday
She was set for stardom after she was introduced to rodeo as an eight-year-old and was crowned Miss Rodeo Nuevo León 2020-2021 and Miss Rodeo Mexico 2021-2022.
Mexican influencer Valeria Mireles reportedly died in a car accident in the northeastern state of Nuevo León on Monday
Valeria Mireles was crowned Miss Rodeo Nuevo León 2020-2021 and Miss Rodeo Mexico 2021-2022
Mireles was a runner up in the 2021 national pole race and the following year went on to represent Mexico at a rodeo international competition in Wyoming.
She often stood out among her peers in different rodeo events, including goat tying, pole racing and barrel racing.
Her passing at such a young age stunned the rodeo industry.
‘Valeria was more than a rodeo queen; she was an ambassador of cowboy culture, an inspiration to many young women,’ the Mexican Rodeo Federation said in statement.
‘Her smile lit up every arena, and her passion for rodeo was contagious. Although her passing leaves a void, her legacy will live on in our hearts and in the memory of rodeo.’
Mexican cowgirl and influencer Valeria Mirales was killed in a car accident
Mireles was introduced to the sport of rodeo when she was just eight years old
Valeria Mireles ‘was more than a rodeo queen; she was an ambassador of cowboy culture, an inspiration to many young women,’ according to Mexican Rodeo Federation
The Miss Rodeo Nuevo León organization lauded Mireles for her the way she carried herself.
‘Each star in our logo reflects the gratitude and passion of our Misses … And two belong to you, Ana Valeria Míreles Villarreal,’ the company said. ‘You left beautiful footprints forever. Thank you for your empathy, love, charity, kindness, and enthusiasm.’
