We probably knew Michelle Dee as an actress from GMA Network, a beauty queen, or as Melanie Marquez's daughter.
But what most people still do not know is that Michelle has an ~*influential*~ family background. Her mother, who won Miss International 1979, is not the only prominent figure from Michelle's bloodline. ICYDK, her father Derek Dee was a famous action star and film producer in the 1980s.
Long before the Dee lineage entered the showbiz scene, their family ventured into the competitive financial landscape in the country first. Michelle's grand-uncle, Dee C. Chuan, founded Chinabank, Fookien Times, and Chinese Commercial News. Fookien Times and Chinese Commercial News were news publications in the 1920s. Chinabank, which was established in August of 1920, is still one of the leading banks in the Philippines at present. In 1952, Michelle's grandfather, Dee K. Chiong, governed the bank as senior vice president.
Her family's influence did not end with her grandfather. We later found out that another Dee family member was connected to one of the symbolic political figures in the Republic of China during the 1940s.
Her late grandmother, Regina Y. Dee, was the daughter of Yu Hung-Chun who served as the finance minister for former Republic of China President Chiang Kai Shek. During the political turmoil in the said country, Regina and her other siblings were sent to the U.S. She then studied at New York University and Oberlin College where she graduated with flying colors.
According to Esquire Philippines, Regina was the ~swan of her time.~ She was simple, elegant, and extremely poised. Aside from being one of the well-known socialites back then, Regina went out of her way to create the Inner Peace Foundation which brings awareness about religious philosophies.
Indeed, the apple does not fall far from the tree. With a remarkable lineage like that, it's no surprise that Michelle has won the hearts of millions of people who watched her compete in the Miss Universe 2023 pageant.
Michelle is a staunch advocate for autism inclusivity in the Philippines. With her two siblings who are part of the spectrum, it is her lifelong commitment to forward the voices of members of the community. During her recent Miss Universe stint, she has successfully elevated the discourse for the members of the autism community. She was among the three Gold winners of the Miss Universe 2023 Voice for Change, championing autism awareness.
