Rima Fakih Slaiby

“You don’t know who you are until you know where you came from.” This is a quote Rima has carried out through most of her life. In less than two years, Rima competed in and won four consecutive pageants prior to winning the title of Miss USA in 2010. Her win was a monumental breakthrough for all Arab women in the western world and beyond as Rima became the first and only ever immigrant, Arab woman to win the title of Miss USA. As Miss Michigan USA 2010, Rima served as one of the first official pageant ambassadors for women’s self-defense awareness, educating women on the importance of taking the necessary precautionary measures to best protect and prepare themselves from unwanted situations.

As Miss USA, Fakih Slaiby is a spokeswoman for breast and ovarian cancer education, research and legislation – a platform that is close to her heart. She will travel nationwide as an advocate for organizations such as Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Gilda’s Club, among others.

Rima received the Key to the City of Waterbury and a Proclamation from the State of Connecticut declaring September 18th “Rima Fakih Day.” In her native city of Dearborn, Michigan, Mayor John B. O’Reilly Jr. awarded Rima the Key to the City and proclaimed Saturday, July 10th as “Rima Fakih Day” along with a “Welcome to Dearborn, Home of Rima Fakih” sign to the city.

Holding many notable appearances, Rima Fakih Slaiby has appeared at Ronald Reagan’s Centennial Celebration, riding in a float at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Regis & Kelly Show, Good Morning America, The Wendy Williams Show, Jimmy Fallon, David Letterman, keynote speaker at the American Chamber of Commerce conference in Cairo alongside former President Bill Clinton, and worked alongside former President Donald Trump. Rima continued to make many appearances with World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (WWE), including a special segment titled “Tribute to the Troops” and a role in the TV series “Tough Enough,” “Dancing With the Stars,” and Fox’s “The Choice.”

Rima continued to empower Arab women all over the world by taking on the role of National Director and Executive Producer of Miss Lebanon 2018. By combining her pageant and business knowledge, Rima and her team of professionals lead the vision for the new and improved pageant for future participants and winners of Miss Lebanon. Additionally, alongside her husband Wassim ‘SAL’ Slaiby, Rima raised more than $1.2 million dollars in less than 10 days with their Global Aid to Lebanon campaign after the tragic August 4th, 2020 explosion that occurred in Beirut.

Today, Rima holds the titles of Board member of World Food Program USA, Ambassador of the Children’s Cancer Center in Lebanon, Board member with Best Buddies International Foundation and Ambassador with School on Wheels.

Rima resides in Los Angeles with her husband, CEO, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist Wassim ‘SAL’ Slaiby and their three kids.

“They say expect the worst, I say expect the best and even better will happen.” ~ Rima Fakih Slaiby