Babette Leclère

**Élisabeth Isabelle Marie** "**Babette**" **Leclère** (née **de la Sierra**; born 11 March 1959) is a Maronan former model and beauty pageant titleholder reigned as Miss Marone 1978 from December 1977 until her resignation in July 1978. She had previously been crowned Miss Île-de-Marone 1977 and Miss Delmas 1977, becoming the eleventh woman from Île-de-Marone to win Miss Marone.

During a photoshoot in July 1978, Leclère was thrown off of a horse and suffered severe injuries, including a fractured pelvis. As a result of her injuries, she opted to resign her beauty pageant titles in order to focus on her health and recovery. She later went on to become a professional model, and married Maronan footballer Ludovic Leclère in 1984.

## Early life and education

Leclère was born on 11 March 1959 in Delmas to parents Ricardo (1926–2016) and Bianca de la Sierra (née *Couto*; 1932–2017). Her father was Spanian and worked as a business executive in the publishing industry, while her mother was a homemaker and former model born in Escaria who had previously been a contestant at Miss Delmas 1952. Both of her parents were born in their respective home countries and immigrated to Marone as children with their families, following the rise of the fascist dictatorship in Spania and amidst economic problems in Escaria, respectively. Her father was raised in Hautes-Robinelles and relocated to Delmas as an adult, while her mother was raised in Delmas. Leclère was raised in a wealthy family in the 16th arrondissement of Delmas, and is the youngest of three children and only daughter; her elder brothers include Bruno (born 1955) and Étienne (born 1957).

Leclère began her education in 1964, attending private, Eurean Catholic schooling for girls in Delmas. While a child, Leclère admired her mother greatly, and became inspired to pursue a career as a model after discovering her modeling photos from the early 1950s. Leclère graduated from primary school in 1971, and later completed *collège* as well in 1974. She subsequently enrolled in the prestigious Lycée Saint-Pierre, a private, coeducational, Eurean Catholic *lycée* in Delmas known for being one of the most exclusive secondary schools in the nation. Leclère studied a *lycée académique* program in economics and social sciences, but was not a dedicated student, preferring to socialize instead. She ultimately graduated in 1977, and opted not to pursue post-secondary education.

## Pageantry

### Miss Île-de-Marone 1977

Leclère first began her pageantry career in June 1977, after registering to compete in Miss Delmas 1977, which she later won. She had signed up for the competition due to her interest in the modeling industry, and believing that it could help her develop a career as a model. As the winner, she was qualified to compete in Miss Île-de-Marone 1977 as well, held in October 1977, which she also went on to win.

### Miss Marone 1978

As Miss Île-de-Marone, Leclère was qualified to compete in Miss Marone 1978. Miss Marone was held in December 1977 in Banoît, where Leclère went on to advance into the Top 12 and Top 5, and ultimately was crowned the winner, becoming the eleventh woman from Île-de-Marone to be crowned Miss Marone. During her reign, Leclère resided in Delmas and worked as a promotional model and brand representative both domestically and internationally for Miss Marone and its sponsors.

In July 1978, Leclère was in Carandie for a photoshoot with evening gown sponsor Niva Couture. The theme for the photoshoot was for Leclère to be riding on horseback along the beach in a variety of gowns. Upon beginning the day, Leclère selected one of three horses to ride for the photoshoot; she chose the white horse, believing that its physical appearance was the most striking, despite being warned by the horse trainer on set that it was the most skittish. After several hours of shooting, the horse was stung by a wasp while Leclère was riding on top of it, causing the horse to panic and begin galloping away, tossing Leclère off in the process. Following the fall, Leclère was rushed to the hospital for a variety of serious injuries due to the fall, including a fractured pelvis. The news was reported on in the Maronan press, and two days following the accident, the Miss Marone Committee confirmed that Leclère had decided to relinquish her title in order to focus on her health and recovery. Despite giving up her Miss Marone title, Leclère maintained her regional and departmental titles, despite not doing any public appearances or events until October 1978.

Leclère was succeeded as Miss Marone by her first runner-up Anastasie Riudavet. The Miss Marone Organization considers both Leclère and Riudavet to be former titleholders in their historic records.

## Personal life

After recovering from her accident, Leclère signed a professional modeling contract with Mariella Model Management in February 1979. She subsequently worked as a professional print and runway model, both in Marone and internationally. Following her marriage in 1984, Leclère began winding down from her career in order to prioritize her family life. She officially retired from the modeling industry in 1986.

Leclère met Maronan footballer Ludovic Leclère in February 1978, while she was reigning as Miss Marone 1978. They remained in touch, and Ludovic reached out to check on her after her accident was widely reported on in the Maronan news, sending a bouquet of flowers to her hospital room. The Maronan media confirmed that the two had begun a romantic relationship in June 1980. They became engaged in 1983, after three years of dating, and married in July 1984, which was reported on by the Maronan media. After the marriage, Leclère began using her married surname professionally. They have three children together: Nathalie (born 1986), Véronique (born 1988), and Lucas (born 1990). Nathalie went on to be crowned Miss Delmas 2005 and placed as the second runner-up at Miss Île-de-Marone 2005. The family resided in a duplex apartment in the 16th arrondissement of Delmas from 1984 until 2018, when they relocated to a penthouse apartment in Dax in Côte Turquoise.

Leclère is fluent in Maronan, Spanian, and Escarian, and has referred to Escarian as her native language. She is also a tri-citizen of Marone, Spania, and Escaria. Leclère is a Eurean Catholic, and has participated in campaigns for the Republican Party with her husband.