Heather French Henry

Heather Renee French Henry, born December 29, 1974, is an American fashion designer, politician, veterans advocate, and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss America 2000. She is best known for becoming the first Miss Kentucky to win the national Miss America title.

Raised in Augusta, Kentucky, French Henry attended the University of Cincinnati College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning, from which she graduated. She began competing in beauty pageants during her teenage years, including the Miss Ohio pageant. She later competed in the Miss Kentucky Pageant four times before winning the state title on her fifth attempt in 1999.

In September 1999, French Henry was named Miss America 2000, becoming the second Kentucky native to hold the national title following Venus Ramey in 1944. As a vocalist and titleholder, she spent her year-long reign promoting the scholarship pageant program and advocating for American veterans. Inspired by her father, a wounded Vietnam War veteran, her platform focused on raising awareness for homeless veterans. Her advocate work earned her several honors, including being named Kentuckian of the Year by Kentucky Monthly.

On October 27, 2000, she married former Kentucky Lieutenant Governor Steve Henry in Louisville. The ceremony led to controversy regarding the use of state resources, resulting in the couple repaying $3,200 to the state for services rendered by state employees. The couple subsequently had two daughters, Harper Renee and Taylor Augusta. In October 2003, French Henry was involved in a traffic accident in Louisville where her vehicle struck and killed Karola Stede, a pedestrian crossing against the light. She later shared the impact of this event on venues such as The Oprah Winfrey Show.

French Henry later transitioned into public service and state politics. In November 2007, she joined Kentucky Governor-elect Steve Beshear's transition team. Governor Beshear appointed her Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs on July 1, 2014. After being replaced in that role by Norman E. Arflack in March 2016 under Governor Matt Bevin, she served as the Deputy Commissioner of the department.

In 2019, French Henry ran as the Democratic nominee for Secretary of State of Kentucky, ultimately losing the general election to Michael Adams. She is also a member of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.