Kaye Lani Rae Rafko

Kaye Lani Rae Wilson (née Rafko) is an American registered nurse and pageant titleholder best known for winning the 1988 Miss America Pageant. Born on August 26, 1963, she is originally from Monroe, Michigan, where a local street has been named in her honor.

Rafko began her pageant career locally, winning the 1987 Miss Michigan title. On September 19, 1987, she was named Miss America 1988. During the national competition, her chosen platform focused on providing assistance for hospice services, and she performed Tahitian dancing as her talent.

Following her pageant win, Rafko used her platform to advocate for nursing and hospice programs. A registered nurse by profession, she has participated in various fundraising activities and addressed medical professional organizations across the globe. Her international speaking engagements on the subject of nursing have included groups in Malaysia, Paris, Rome, and Singapore.

In addition to her advocacy work, Rafko appeared in the 1989 documentary film Roger & Me. She also serves as a co-host for Only in Monroe, a monthly public-access television program, alongside Michelle Baumann. The program received notable attention in July 2015 when Late Show host Stephen Colbert took over as host for an episode featuring Wilson and rapper Eminem as guests. Colbert later returned as a guest host on the show on May 22, 2026, following the conclusion of his run on The Late Show.

In her personal life, Rafko is married to Charles (Chuck) Wilson, and the couple has three children. Following the death of her fourth child, she founded Gabby's Ladder, a bereavement support program designed for children and their families, where she serves as executive director. Her family also included a younger brother, Nick, who played college football at the University of Wisconsin–Madison from 1989 to 1993 before passing away in a car accident in 1994.