Deborah Priya Henry

Early life

Deborah Henry was born in Dublin, Ireland but grew up in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Her father is a Malaysian Indian and she is of Irish descent through her mother.

Henry spent her secondary school years at Sayfol International School. She particularly excelled in basketball and volleyball at school, and won a gold medal in the Kuala Lumpur International Schools athletics meet. She received a "Sportswoman of the Year" trophy from her school for her achievements.

Henry began modelling at the age of 15 and modelled in London three years later for seven months. She appeared in Malaysian rock band Estranged's music video "Itu Kamu".

Henry holds a B. Arts. degree in Political Science and Economics from the University of Queensland, in Brisbane, Australia. Her focuses are on human rights advocacy and sustainable development with a long-term goal to eradicate poverty.

Modelling

Henry started modelling at 15, as a catwalk and print model in Kuala Lumpur. She moved to London in 2003. She took a hiatus from modelling in 2004 to further her studies in Brisbane. She returned to Malaysia in 2007 and participated in Miss Malaysia World 2007. She has also appeared on the covers of Elle India, Harper's Bazaar Malaysia, Marie Claire Malaysia and many more. She has also been featured in Vogue India.

Henry is the Face of Malaysian International Fashion Alliance (MIFA) 2011.

Miss World 2007

Henry won Miss Malaysia World 2007 and represented her country in Miss World 2007. She is notable for having been selected in the top 16, the highest placement a Malaysian woman has achieved since Lina Teoh in 1998.

Miss Universe 2011

Henry, who stands 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in), competed in her country's national beauty pageant Miss Universe Malaysia, held on 27 January 2011 in Kuala Lumpur, where she became the eventual winner of the title, gaining the right to represent her nation in Miss Universe 2011. As the official representative of Malaysia to the 2011 Miss Universe pageant, broadcast live from São Paulo, Brazil on 12 September 2011. Although she was a heavy favourite by pageants' blogs and websites, she was not placed in the Top 16 by the judges.

TV Hosting

Henry was also one of the three hosts for Bella, a magazine style talk show with Daphne Iking and Elaine Daly.

Acting

Henry was one of the cast for The Malay Chronicles: Bloodlines, a Malaysian film released on 10 March 2011.

Product endorsements

In March 2017, Henry released a ready=to-wear clothing line named Deborah Henry x FashionValet: Laidback Luxe. In collaboration with Fashion Valet, the line features clothing intended for trendy travelers.

Humanitarian work

Henry co-founded Fugee School, a non-profit charity organisation that provides basic education to Somalian refugee children. To date, the school has educated more than 250 students, and currently nurturing 130 students from age four to 22. Henry is also a World Vision’s Childs’ rights Advocate. World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organisation. She also speaks for the Harper's Bazaar The Pink Project PSA 2010. Henry became the ambassador for Yes, I Can Campaign, an educational, awareness & advocacy campaign for the prevention of unplanned & unwanted pregnancy in Malaysia.

In 2013, Henry was included in Forbes’s list of top Asian philanthropists for her contribution in "helping the many refugees from war-torn Somalia who had found their way to Malaysia".

In 2016, in conjunction with the holy month of Ramadan, Henry launched a personal fundraiser under World Vision Malaysia to raise money for displaced Syrian nationals seeking refuge in Lebanon.

Personal life

Henry weds Malaysian entrepreneur, Dr Rajiv Bhanot on 27 February 2017 in a ceremony held at Udaipur, India. They met when Henry was sixteen years old.