Britain's first transgender reality TV star, who appeared on 'There's Something About Miriam' in 2004, was found dead at her home in Hermosillo, Mexico back in early February.
- Aug 10, 2019
AceShowbiz - Britain's first transgender reality TV star Miriam Rivera has died at the age of 38.
The Mexican model, who was the star of 2004 dating show "There's Something About Miriam", in which men competed to date her only to find out she was transgender at the end of the series, passed away in February, but the news has only just emerged, according to the Daily Mail.
She reportedly died in Hermosillo, Mexico on February 5, and her husband Daniel Cuervo, who is based in New York City, told the newspaper he suspected foul play was involved.
"On the morning of February 5, Miriam called me (in New York) from Mexico, telling me she was feeling sick and vomiting blood, so I told her to get to the hospital,' he said, recalling the day Miriam died earlier this year. "She called me again before leaving the hospital at 12 pm and that was the last time we spoke."
According to the Daily Mail, Miriam was found dead by hanging at her home in Mexico. Cuervo alleges that after he learned of Miriam's death, he enquired about the possibility of flying the body to New York but was informed his wife's body had already been cremated, preventing an autopsy. He and one of Miriam's friends claim she may have been killed for defying human traffickers and refusing to be forced into prostitution.
The U.K. reality show caused immense controversy as it only aired after the six male contestants won compensation for the "emotional distress" caused by their appearing on the show. They competed to win the chance to date Miriam and $12,100 (£10,000) but were furious not to be told about her gender change.
The show's creator Remy Blumenfeld, told BBC News: "She was a very warm and generous person who seemed much more mature than her years.
"She was very empathetic to other people's feelings, and really wanted to be a trailblazer in her own way, because she grew up at a time where there were no trans role models."
After appearing on the U.K. reality show Miriam went on to compete on "Big Brother Australia".
