Carmen Montiel

Language: English

Born in Venezuela and proudly Texan by choice, Carmen Maria Montiel came to the United States in 1988 in pursuit of opportunity and the American Dream. She became a naturalized American citizen in 2002 and has since made Houston her home, where she raised her family and helped build a successful family-owned medical practice for more than 20 years.
Raised with strong values of faith, family, and freedom, Carmen brings a unique life perspective shaped by witnessing the collapse of Venezuela under authoritarian rule—an experience that continues to inform her commitment to personal responsibility and constitutional freedoms.
Regardless of being dyslexic, Carmen refused to allow labels to define her. Through discipline, resilience, and determination, she overcame significant learning challenges to build a successful career across medicine, journalism, entrepreneurship, and real estate, proving that perseverance—not limitations—defines success.
After being crowned Miss Venezuela, Miss South America, and Second Runner-Up at Miss Universe 1984, she went on to become a respected television journalist and news anchor in Houston’s Hispanic media market.
A survivor and advocate, Carmen has dedicated herself to empowering women and supporting survivors of domestic violence, and she has testified before the Texas Legislature in support of laws protecting abuse survivors and combating human trafficking.
Carmen holds a degree in Broadcast Journalism from East Tennessee State University, is a proud mother of three, an active church member, and a committed community advocate.