Mai Shanley

Mai Therese Shanley is an American model and beauty pageant titleholder best known for winning the Miss USA 1984 title. Born on February 17, 1963, she holds the distinction of being the first and only woman from New Mexico to win the national Miss USA pageant.

Shanley's background includes an ethnically Chinese mother from Taiwan and an Irish father born in Ireland. Her victory made her the first Eurasian delegate to win the Miss USA competition.

Her experience in major pageants began when she represented New Mexico in the Miss America pageant in 1983, though she did not place in that event. She subsequently won the Miss New Mexico 1983 and Miss New Mexico USA 1984 state titles.

At the age of 21, Shanley was crowned the 33rd Miss USA on May 17, 1984, in Lakeland, Florida. During the competition, she edged out two former Miss America state titleholders in the top five, Kelly Anderson and Desiree Denise Daniels, who finished second and third, respectively.

Following her national win, Shanley represented the United States at the Miss Universe Pageant held in Miami, Florida, in July 1984, where she reached the semi-finals. During the international pageant, she wore a Native American chief national costume.

In her personal life, Shanley married pilot Mark Fitzgerald, and the couple has two daughters.