Menaye Donkor - Interview

Miss Universe 2004 Contestant: Manaye Donkor Age: 23 Hair Color: Black Eye Color: Black Height: 5'8" Name one person, other than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life. Why? My friend Kofi is the one person who has had the most influence on my life other than my parents. A remarkable person with great integrity, I can always count on him to be candid with me. By example he has nurtured some important qualities in me such as self-confidence, appreciation and respect for others. His faith in my abilities challenges me to dream and provides the encouragement for me to pursue and achieve my goals. What is the most interesting or unique thing that has ever happened to you (aside from winning your title) and/or what is the most interesting thing about you? Aside from winning my title, the most interesting thing that has happened to me was being present at and actually helping my sister give birth to my first nephew. I witnessed firsthand the beginning of life, and this incredible experience has instilled in me the precious nature of our lives. What is your career ambition and what are you doing or plan to do to accomplish that goal? My career ambition is to become an entrepreneur and establish a financial and investment firm that will primarily educate, source and facilitate loans to other women entrepreneurs. I would also like to pursue a career in television. I recently graduated with honors in marketing from York University in Toronto, Canada, and I plan to pursue an MBA in the near future. List any interesting or unsual jobs you may have had. Since the age of 7, I have had the job title of "Royal Stool Bearer" for my paternal grandmother, who is the Queenmother of Agona Asafo. Being her last granddaughter, I inherited the prestigious position as her official stool bearer. Describe your childhood home and living conditions. Were you raised with a large family with lots of brothers and sisters? I remember my childhood home being a very happy one. Born into a close-knit extended family and the youngest of 7 siblings (4 boys and 3 girls), I received a lot of attention from my siblings, parents as well as my grandparents. My parents did their best to raise us to be our own individuals and instilled in us a positive discipline. What one word describes you best? Determined!