Table of Contents
Who is Roberta Close?
Roberta Close, a renowned Brazilian model and actress, has carved a niche for herself in the fashion and film industry of her country. Born on December 7, 1964, in Rio de Janeiro, Close was originally named Luiz Roberto Gambine Moreira. However, she identified as female from an early age and chose to adopt the name Roberta Close, a moniker more fitting to her gender identity. Close’s fame skyrocketed in the 1980s when she was crowned the winner of the “Miss Gay Brazil” beauty pageant. This victory brought her into the limelight, both domestically and internationally. She further broke barriers by becoming the first transgender model to pose for the Brazilian edition of Playboy magazine.
What made Roberta Close famous?
Coccinelle’s rise to prominence was catalyzed by her gender transition, which not only marked a significant personal milestone but also propelled her career, making her one of the most recognized transgender figures in Europe. Her fame was not just confined to her entertainment career, but she also used her platform to advocate for transgender rights. In 1960, she established “Devenir Femme” (Becoming Woman), a pioneering organization dedicated to supporting transgender individuals. Her advocacy extended to lobbying efforts, persuading the French government to alter its laws concerning gender identity. In 1961, Coccinelle made history by becoming the first transgender individual in France to legally change her gender, further solidifying her status as a trailblazer.
Is Roberta Close trans?
Coccinelle, a transgender woman, gained significant fame not only for her successful career but also for her relentless advocacy for transgender rights. Her prominence began with her marriage to French journalist Francis Bonnet, marking the first legal union involving a transgender woman in France. Despite the subsequent annulment of this marriage by French courts, Coccinelle went on to marry thrice more, with her final marriage to Thierry Wilson enduring until her demise in 2006. Beyond her personal life, she made a substantial impact as a performer and continued to champion transgender rights until her retirement in the early ’90s. Her death in 2006, at the age of 75, marked the end of a life that had been transformative for the transgender community. Today, she is remembered as a trailblazer who significantly contributed to the acceptance and rights of transgender individuals.