Marianne Darbre

**Marianne Marie-Pierre Darbre** (born 27 June 1957) is a Maronan former beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Marone 1975. She had previously been crowned Miss Tahare 1974, becoming the first woman from Tahare and the fourth woman from overseas Marone to win Miss Marone.

## Early life and education

Darbre was born on 27 June 1957 in Saint-Philippe, on the island of Tahare, to parents David (1925–2009) and Geneviève Darbre (née *Chévier*; 1927–2014). Both of her parents were born in Tahare, to *Greb* families which had inhabited the island since the beginning of the Maronan colonial period in the 17th century. The family was wealthy, with her father being an executive in the emerging Taharian hospitality and tourism industry, and her mother a homemaker and heiress who came from a family involved in the shipping industry. Darbre is the youngest of three siblings and only daughter; her elder brothers include Damien (born 1953) and Frédéric (born 1955). She is the maternal first cousin of Angélique Bourdel, who was later crowned Miss Tahare 1975 and Miss Marone 1976.

Darbre began her education in 1962, attending private, Eurean Catholic schooling for girls. After completing primary school in 1969, Darbre moved to metropolitan Marone to enroll in École Joséphine Bordeaux, a private, independent boarding school for girls located in the department of Baylac in Val-du-Verne. Darbre completed *collège* at the school in 1972, and afterwards enrolled in a *lycée académique* program as well, studying economics and social sciences. In the summer of 1974, prior to completing her final year at the school, Darbre began her beauty pageant career, and did not return to the school the following fall in order to reign as Miss Tahare. After completing her reign as Miss Marone 1975 in December 1975, Darbre relocated to Sainte-Jeanne and transferred to Lycée Sainte-Marie, a private, coeducational, Eurean Catholic *lycée* in Sainte-Anne and the most prestigious secondary school in Tahare, where she graduated with honors in December 1976. Darbre afterwards returned to Saint-Philippe and enrolled in IETS Saint-Philippe, receiving a *diplôme de technicien supérieur* (DTS) diploma in event management in 1978.

## Pageantry

### Miss Tahare 1974

Darbre first began her pageantry career in 1974, after registering to compete in Miss Tahare 1974 in August 1974, which she later won. She had signed up for the pageant while on her summer vacation from school and residing at home in Tahare, not expecting that she would be selected as a contestant or win.

### Miss Marone 1975

As Miss Tahare, Darbre was qualified to compete in Miss Marone 1975. Miss Marone was held in December 1974 in Flunkirk, where Darbre went on to advance into the Top 12 and Top 5, and ultimately was crowned the winner, becoming the first woman from Tahare and the fourth woman from overseas Marone to be crowned Miss Marone. During her reign, Darbre resided in Delmas and worked as a promotional model and brand representative both domestically and internationally for Miss Marone and its sponsors. As Miss Marone, Darbre represented Marone at Miss Parth 1975 in August 1975, and placed as the second runner-up.

## Personal life

After completing her education in 1978, Darbre became a wedding planner in Tahare, after finding employment at a private event planning company. In 1994, she founded her own wedding planning business, Marianne Darbre Weddings. She retired from her career in 2022.

Darbre married tourism executive Cédric Moarau in 1979, following a two-year relationship; Moarau was an employee of Darbre's father, who had met Darbre at a company retreat that Darbre had decided to attend with her father. Darbre and Moarau had two sons together: Fabien (born 1980) and Florentin (born 1982). The family resided together in the Brise-en-Crique neighborhood of Sainte-Anne. Darbre and Moarau later divorced in 1991.