Entertainment Hub is sad to report that Leanza Cornett, who took home the title of Miss America in 1993, has tragically died at the age of 49.
Leanza Cornett Passed Away
According to Deadline, she suffered a head injury on Oct. 12 and had been in a Jacksonsville, Fla. hospital before eventually passing away.
Mark Steines, her ex-husband and former host of Entertainment Tonight, posted a photo of Leanza and their kids with a heartfelt message on his Instagram.
“It is with a heavy heart that I share with you the passing of my ex-wife, Leanza the mother to our two extraordinary sons Kai and Avery,” he wrote. “We will always remember the wonderful times shared during her short time here on earth. I find comfort knowing Kai and Avery will forever have the best guardian angel watching over them as they navigate life’s path. I ask that you please keep them as well as Leanza’s parents and her family in your prayers.”
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The Miss America Organization posted its own touching tribute on Instagram. “Leanza had a bright, beautiful spirit and her laugh was infectious. We know she meant so much to so many, including all of you,” it wrote next to her pageant photo. “We are devastated by this sudden loss in our Miss America family and we are deeply sorry for her family and close friends for their loss.”
Since winning the coveted Miss America honor, she turned to TV, with hosting duties on shows such as Entertainment Tonight and Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire?, and guesting on episodes of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and Weeds.
Cornett was the first beauty queen in the role to adopt AIDS awareness and prevention as her platform for her year of service.
Before Miss America, Cornett worked at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and was the first actress to play a live-action version of The Little Mermaid’s Ariel in its Voyage of The Little Mermaid show.
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