Miss SA 2014: Rolene Strauss shares personal HIV story
Miss SA 2014: Rolene Strauss shares personal HIV story
South African beauty queen Rolene Strauss shared her personal story surrounding HIV via an Instagram post this past weekend.
ROLENE STRAUSS SHARES PERSONAL HIV STORY
Beauty queen Rolene Strauss was crowned Miss SA in 2014 and went on to be crowned Miss World that same year. Taking to her Instagram timeline, she shared her personal story on HIV. She explained that after the birth of her first child in 2017, she was completing medical studies and was exposed to HIV while treating a patient.
The beauty queen has two sons with husband D’Niel Strauss and the pair are currently expecting their third child. She explained that when she was exposed to HIV, she had been breastfeeding. So, she has to go on post-exposure prophylaxis – a short course of HIV medicines intended to prevent the virus from taking hold in your body.
“Sharing a deeply personal story today . After the birth of our first son back in 2017, I was completing my medical studies and was exposed to HIV while treating a patient at a hospital during my call one evening. I was breastfeeding at the time and had to go on post-exposure prophylaxis. I can still remember all the questions (even as a medical student) running through my head at the time… ,” she wrote.
Rolene explained that she joined the #ForeverWena. The campaign offers a lifeline of support and information through its WhatsApp chatbot and social media accounts.
“Now pregnant with our third, joining the #ForeverWena campaign feels like a duty. As a mother, I understand the crucial link between maternal and child health,” she added.
THE BEAUTY QUEEN IS EXPECTING HER THIRD CHILD
In November 2023, Rolene announced that she and her husband were expecting their third child together. In the announcement post, the beauty queen shared of herself in front of her bathroom mirror sporting a beautiful baby bump. She revealed that she and her husband sat down and thought about whether they would would leave South Africa or stay. And they have chosen to remain in South Africa.
“Growing a little human . So excited @officialdanielstrauss ,” she wrote.
“D’Niel and I had to sit down and make a decision that multiple families face at some point… are we leaving or are we staying? After prayer, discussions and consideration, we decided to stay and raise our children in South Africa. But we also made a pact We choose not to complain, and choose to be part of the solution. We love this country and consider ourselves blessed to call it home ,” she continued.
Rolene was only the third South African woman to be crowned Miss World. She follows Penelope Anne Coelen in 1958 and Anneline Kriel 1974.