- Wilevis Brito suffered cardiac arrest and died Monday after undergoing oral surgery at a hospital in Caracas, Venezuela
- The 24-year-old beauty queen visited Domingo Luciani Hospital to remove a lump on her lip and treat an abrasion on her jaw
Venezuelan model Wilevis Brito reportedly suffered cardiac arrest and died after undergoing facial surgery at a hospital in Caracas on Monday.
The 24-year-old beauty queen underwent maxillofacial surgery at Domingo Luciani Hospital, where a doctor removed a lump on her limp and treated an abrasion on her jaw, local media reported.
Brito was recovering from the procedure before she suffered serious complications and died.
A beauty pageant contestant who took part in a 2023 event with Brito spoke to Venezuelan digital news channel El Pitazo on condition of anonymity and revealed that Brito had not undergone the surgery to change her facial expression.
“She underwent jaw surgery due to wear and tear on her jaw and a small lump that formed near her lip,” the woman said. ‘To avoid future complications, she decided to undergo surgery. But not for cosmetics or beauty, but for health.
“She apparently came out of the surgery OK, and then came the complications,” she added.”
Wilevis Brito died on Monday after she reportedly went into cardiac arrest following oral surgery at a hospital in Caracas, Venezuela. The beauty queen was 24 years old
24-year-old Venezuelan beauty queen Wilevis Brito died from complications after undergoing surgery on her jaw and lip at a hospital in Caracas
A man who identified himself on social media as Brito’s brother also confirmed that the young woman had not opted for cosmetic surgery.
‘She’s my sister and she didn’t have any cosmetic surgery. They were draining an abscess and putting her under anesthesia,” he wrote. “Unfortunately, she never woke up and went into cardiac arrest… focus on giving positive comments, not making judgments that no one asked for.”
Brito migrated to Argentina several years ago and studied social communication at the Interamerican Open University in Buenos Aires.
She worked as a presenter for A24, an Argentine news cable channel, and América Tucumán, its sister station.
Brito was runner-up in the 2021 Miss Venezuela in the World pageant held in Buenos Aires for migrant beauty queens who had left the once oil-rich country and settled in Argentina.
She returned to her native country and was crowned Queen of Sport of La Guaira, her hometown, in 2023.
Wilevis Brito was crowned sports queen of La Guaira in 2023
A priest at St. Peter the Apostle Cathedral sprinkles holy water over Wilevis Brito’s coffin on Wednesday
Brito was also known for her charitable contributions to the Simón La Guaira Foundation
While living in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the beauty queen worked as a host for A24, an Argentine news cable channel, and América Tucumán, its sister station
In her spare time, Brito often volunteered at the Simón La Guaira Foundation.
“No one can imagine that someone who is young, full of life and so happy would become complicated in this way,” said a foundation employee on condition of anonymity. ‘That’s why it hurts a lot. We will always remember Wil for her treatment of those around her, for her inner beauty, not for the crowns she won.’
Brito was buried on Wednesday after a funeral service at St. Peter the Apostle Cathedral
“We said goodbye to our beloved Wilevis, a young woman who will be remembered for her charisma, her smile and her willingness to give love and help those most in need,” La Guaira Governor José Terán said on Instagram.