Michelle Dee’s parents are Melanie Marquez and Derek Dee. Michelle Dee’s mother, Melanie Marquez, is a Filipino actress and former beauty pageant titleholder, while her father, Derek Dee, is a businessman, film producer, and former actor.
Michelle, a Filipino actress, television presenter, model, beauty pageant titleholder, and talk show host, is close to her parents even though they are no longer together, having divorced when she was young.
Who are Miss Universe Philippines Michelle Dee’s Parents?
Michelle Dee’s Parents are Melanie Marquez and Derek Dee. Both of them are successful individuals who have done very well for themselves in their respective fields.
Michelle is very close to her father and mother, even though they divorced when she was very young. They have both been involved in her life and have shown her enormous support over the years as she rose to fame as a beauty pageant queen.
Michelle Dee’s Father
Michelle Dee’s father, Derek Dee, was born on June 15, 1962, in Manila, Philippines, and is now 61 years old. His birth name is actually Frederick Timothy Yui Dee.
Derek hails from a distinguished and affluent lineage, as he is the offspring of Frederick Dee, a prominent entrepreneur and the founder of the Dee C. Chuan Group of Companies, and Regina Y. Dee, a socialite and philanthropist known for establishing the Inner Peace Foundation.
Derek’s mother, Regina, was also the daughter of Yu Hung-chun, a former Taiwanese premier. This meant that Derek’s upbringing was characterized by opulence due to his family’s prosperous status. As a child, he had things that other kids his age could only dream of.
Derek was not an only child as he grew up alongside three siblings called Maxine, Carol, and Daniel. All siblings are now close at the moment. Derek is a well-educated man. He earned a degree in business administration from De La Salle University in Manila. Leveraging his academic background, he ventured into business and has since become a multifaceted professional.
Derek is currently renowned as a businessman, film producer, and former actor. His cinematic journey commenced in the early 1990s, with his first role in the 1993 film Inay. Subsequently, he starred in various productions such as Sa bingit ng kamatayan in 1996, Boy Chico: Hulihin si Ben Tumbling in 1997, Anghel dela guardia in 2000, Aagos ang dugo in 2001, Terrorist Hunter in 2005, and Rumble Boy in 2007, among others.
Beyond his acting career, Derek has also delved into film production and co-founded Omni Films, a company dedicated to producing and distributing local and international films in the Philippines. His production credits include Inay in 1993, Maglulupa man ako in 1994, Matira ang matibay and Die xue rou qing in 1995, and Rumble Boy in 2007.
Outside of the film business, Dee is also a well-known businessman, having inherited and extended his father’s corporation. His entrepreneurial prowess extends to his leadership roles as the chairman and president of the Dee C. Chuan Group of Companies, overseeing diverse holdings in banking, real estate, and other sectors. He also held the positions of chairman and CEO at Chinabank Corporation, one of the Philippines’ oldest and largest banks.
In addition to his corporate endeavors, Derek is actively involved in humanitarian and social causes, being a member of organizations such as the Philippine Red Cross, the Philippine Business for Social Progress, and the Philippine Chinese Charitable Association. His multifaceted contributions reflect a life dedicated to both business success and meaningful societal impact.
Michelle Marquez Dee’s Mother
Michell Dee’s mother, Melanie Marquez, was born on 16 July 1964 and is now 59 years old. Her birth name is actually Mimilanie Laurel Marquez. Melanie was born in Mabalacat, a city in the province of Pampanga, Philippines, and grew up there with her family.
Melanie is now a versatile Filipino personality and holds accolades as an actress, producer, writer, and former beauty pageant titleholder. Her journey to beauty pageantry fame reached its pinnacle when she was crowned Miss International in 1979 at the tender age of 15, making her the youngest winner in the pageant’s history. In 1985, Melanie was recognized as the “Face of the 80s” in New York, USA, and in the subsequent year, she secured the First Runner-up position in the “Supermodel” competition.
Her beauty and grace continued to be celebrated, and in the year 2000, she was voted the “Most Beautiful Miss International Winner.” She also clinched a place among the top 6 Finalists in the “Mrs. World” pageant in India in 2005. Melanie Marquez also participated in the Binibining Pilipinas “World of BC 2004” and “World of Canada 2004” pageants.
Aside from her work in the world of beauty pageantry, Melanie has also embarked on a successful career as a fashion and commercial model, gracing the covers of both local and international magazines. Her modeling prowess took her on tours across Europe and the United States, and she later became a respected coaching figure in the realm of modeling and image enhancement. Notably, she mentored notable personalities like Ruffa Gutierrez (Miss World 1993 Second Princess), Charlene Gonzales (Miss Universe 1994 – Top 6 Finalist), and Miriam Quiambao (Miss Universe 1999 First Runner-up).
Also, beyond her role as a coach, Marquez has contributed to beauty pageants, modeling contests, and talent-search competitions as a judge, coach, commentator, or host. Her involvement in the entertainment industry has since expanded to acting, where she portrayed roles in action and dramatic films. She even starred in her own biographical film, The Untold Story of Melanie Marquez. As her career evolved, Marquez became a prominent TV host, film producer, and celebrity endorser, featuring in various movies and series spanning several decades.
As a matter of fact, she has starred in several movies and series starting from the late 1970s and noteworthy among her works are titles such as Kristo Zapata in 1980, Viva Santiago in 1981, Working Girls 2 in 1987, Super Inday and the Golden Bibe in 1988, Die xue rou qing in 1995, Sa bingit ng kamatayan in 1996, Hari ng yabang 1997, Whattamen in 2001, Super-Bin in 2002, Enteng Kabisote 2: Okay ka fairy ko… The legend continues in 2005, Komiks in 2006, Love Spell in 2007, Juan Tamad (2015-2016), A Love to Last in 2017, and Sherlock Jr. in 2018.
One of Melanie Marquez’s standout performances, for which she is best known, came in the TV series One of the Baes, where she portrayed the role of Alona Aragoza, earning acclaim over 90 episodes from 2019 to 2020 and amassing a considerable fan base. But, beyond her contributions in front of the camera, Marquez has also proven her skills behind the scenes as a film producer, with notable works like Viva Santiago in 1981 and Die xue rou qing in 1995. Melanie is also a well-read woman. In 2006, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the International Academy of Management and Economics.
How Michelle Dee’s Parents Met and Got Married
Michelle Dee’s parents, Derek Dee and Melanie Marquez crossed paths and fell in love during the early 1990s. Their first encounter took place in New York City, where Melanie was working as a model at the time. She was already a well-known face in the fashion scene and was quite the celebrity already. On the other hand, Derek Dee was in the USA during one of his business trips.
The exact circumstances that led to their first meeting are not very clear. However, when they eventually met, they are said to have gotten very intrigued by each other and soon engaged in conversation, which blossomed into a deep connection. They soon started dating. Their relationship evolved afterward, leading them to introduce one another to their respective families. It became evident to everyone around them that they were destined to build a life together.
In 1993, a few years after they started dating, Derek and Melanie formalized their commitment with marriage. The wedding ceremony took place in the Philippines and was joyously attended by both of their families, marking the beginning of their shared journey as a married couple.
Michelle Dee’s Parents Divorced When She Was Still Very Young
Michelle Dee’s parents, Derek Dee and Melanie Marquez, are no longer together as a married couple, as they have since divorced. What exactly led to their divorce is not clear, as neither Derek nor Melanie has volunteered to talk about it.
What we know is that the former couple parted ways in 1998 when Michelle, who was born in 1995, was only about three years old. Following this divorce, Michelle started living with her mother. However, her father was still very much involved in her life and met with her very often as a child.
Today, as an adult, Michelle is very close to both her father and mother. Michelle Dee’s parents have both shown immense support over the years in her career and have stood by her in her biggest moments of achievements.
Who are Melanie Marquez’s Children With Derek Dee?
Melanie Marquez and her former husband, Derek Dee, had two children together, both of whom are daughters./ They are Michelle Dee and Maxine Dominique Dee. Both sisters are very fond of each other and are very supportive of one another as well. Michelle has often hailed Maxine for being her backbone.
Maxine Dominique Dee was born in 1993 and is now about 31 years old. Very little is known about her and what she does for a living at the moment. She is believed to be a well-educated woman, but details about the schools she attended are unclear. Maxine is said to be employed and working in the Philippines, but details about her work are vague.
What we know about her is that she is now a married woman. She is married to a man called Bumgardner. However, not much else is known about her union, including when they got together as a couple and when the wedding took place. It is also not clear if she has any kids yet.
On the other hand, Michelle Dee was born on April 24, 1995, and is now 29 years old. She has since blossomed into a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, excelling as an actress, model, TV presenter, talk show host, and beauty pageant titleholder. Following in her mother’s footsteps, Michelle achieved acclaim by winning the Miss Universe Philippines 2023 title.
Her representation of the Philippines in the Miss Universe 2023 competition in El Salvador garnered her recognition as a top 10 finalist, and she added to her accolades by clinching the National Costume Award. Before this, Michelle had previously won the Miss World Philippines pageant in 2019. Also, her participation in the Miss World 2019 pageant in London, England, led to a commendable finish in the top 12, with the crown ultimately claimed by Toni-Ann Singh of Jamaica.
Beyond the pageant stage, Michelle Dee has also made her mark in the modeling world, commencing her career with the Bench clothing brand in 2016. Her talents caught the attention of scouts during a Bench photoshoot, leading to her signing with Click Model Management in New York. She has since walked several runways and has appeared on magazine covers.
In addition to her accomplishments in the realms of entertainment and modeling, Michelle is also recognized for her activism. Since the age of sixteen, she has passionately advocated for autism awareness and mental health education, leveraging her platform to make a positive impact beyond the glamour of the spotlight.
Michelle Dee Also Has Four Half-Siblings
In addition to her biological sister, Maxine Dominique Dee, Michelle Dee also has four step-siblings who were born to her mother from her other relationships. Melanie’s firstborn, a son named Manuelito, was fathered by actor-politician Lito Lapid. She later left Lapid and got married to an Arab sheik, with whom she welcomed another son named Mazen. Unfortunately, Mazen has been diagnosed with autism.
After her separation from the Arab sheik, Melanie entered into matrimony with Derek Dee, Michelle and Maxine’s father. This marriage also ended in a divorce, and after parting ways with Derek, Melanie married once again, this time to an American named Adam Lawyer. From this union, Melanie has two sons, Adam and Abraham, with Adam also being diagnosed with autism.
So, Michelle Dee’s extended family includes four half-brothers: Manuelito, Mazen, Adam, and Abraham. Despite their diverse backgrounds, Michelle shares a close bond with her brothers, finding common ground and shared interests. Also, driven by her personal connection to autism through her two brothers, who have been diagnosed with the disease, Michelle now actively supports advocacy programs focused on art, hippotherapy, and inclusive employment for individuals on the autism spectrum.
Michelle Dee actively collaborates with the Autism Society Philippines to raise awareness about the requirements of individuals on the autism spectrum and their families. In January 2020, Michelle assumed the role of Goodwill Ambassador for the Autism Society Philippines, further solidifying her commitment to advocating for the needs of those affected by autism.
Additionally, in partnership with her father, Derek Dee, Michelle spearheads a family initiative known as HepCured. Through this initiative, they engage in campaigns to promote hepatitis awareness and work towards the vision of a hepatitis C-free society.
Melanie Marquez Height
Michelle Dee’s mother, Melanie Marquez, is 5 feet 11 inches in height. This translates to 1.80 meters or 180 centimeters. On the other hand, Michelle Dee is 5 feet 10 inches in height, translating to 1.78 meters or 178 centimeters.
This means that Melanie Marquez is taller than her daughter by about 1 inch.
FAQs
Who is Melanie Marquez’s Husband?
Melanie Marquez’s husband is Derek Dee. He is a renowned businessman, film producer, and former actor, who has starred in several movies and has produced several others. He also co-owns a production company called Omni Films.
What is Michelle Dee’s Age?
Michelle Dee is 29 years old as of 2024. This is because she was born on April 24, 1995. Her star sign is Taurus. Michelle was born in Makati, a city in the Philippines’ Metro Manila region, which is also the country’s financial hub.
What is Michelle Dee’s height?
Michelle Dee’s height is 5 feet 10 inches. This translates to 1.78 meters or 178 centimeters. This makes her a little shorter than her mother, Melanie Marquez, who stands at 5 feet 11 inches in height, translating to 1.80 meters or 180 centimeters.