Elite Queen of the World 2025

 
 

About Raquel Riley Thomas: Elite Queen of the World 2025

Professional

Raquel Riley Thomas is a decorated U.S. Army Veteran, award-winning entrepreneur, and international pageant queen committed to empowering women through self-defense, leadership, and advocacy. Crowned Elite Queen of the World 2025 on May 10th in New York City, Raquel embodies resilience, elegance, and purpose.

A former U.S. Army Captain, she served nine years in the military and has since been inducted into the Library of Congress for her leadership and community impact.

Raquel is the Founder and CEO of An Officer and Gentlewoman, LLC (AOAGWLLC), a veteran-owned global media and entertainment company she launched in 2011. The firm operates four divisions—Public Relations, Brand Management, Talent Management, and Production—and has earned over 75 awards, including recognition as Best Media and Entertainment Company in both Washington, D.C. and Atlanta.

As a professional model, Raquel has been represented by Elite Models, Ford Models, and Select Models, appearing in more than 125 campaigns for global brands including Coca-Cola, Delta Airlines, and Wells Fargo. Her image has appeared on numerous billboards, print ads, and magazine covers across the U.S. and abroad. She is featured in publications such as Vanity Fair Fashion, Forbes LA, Cosmopolitan Canada, Washington Life, and Military Times.

In 2020, she expanded her entrepreneurial reach with Raquel Riley Thomas Beauty (RRTBeauty), a performance-based makeup line for long-wear durability. Its debut collection, The Virtuoso, sold out within its first month.

As a Beauty and Fashion Expert, Raquel has appeared on FOX, ABC, NBC, CBS, and Reelz, offering commentary for events like the Oscars and Emmys.

Education

Raquel is a lifelong learner with a strong foundation in leadership and negotiation. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from Hampton University, where she was a Distinguished Military Graduate, and a Certification in Mastery of Negotiations from Harvard Business School. She also completed multiple U.S. Army leadership programs and technical courses throughout her military career.

Community

DefendRILEY: Fight Back. Stand Strong. Stay Safe.

After the devastating loss of her mother to suicide in 2013, Raquel discovered that her mother was a survivor of assault—a truth that mirrored her own trauma. Determined to transform her pain into purpose, she founded DefendRILEY, an initiative dedicated to empowering women and girls through self-defense and personal safety education.

As a Taekwondo red belt, Raquel mentors and instructs young students, promoting confidence, focus, and resilience. Her goal is to earn her black belt and expand DefendRILEY into a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships and hands-on training to communities worldwide.

In addition to her advocacy work, Raquel serves as Publicist for the Southeast Chapter of the Emmys and as an Advisory Board Member for Operation Renewed Hope Foundation, supporting veteran housing and mental wellness. She is also a proud member of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Veterans in Media, and a Diamond Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., where she champions scholarship, service, and social justice.

Awards and Recognition

Raquel’s leadership and impact have been honored across both military and civilian spheres. Her legacy is preserved in the Library of Congress, and her accolades include:

  • Elite Queen of the World 2025

  • Elite Nigeria Queen of the World 2025

  • Mrs. America (1st Runner-Up, 2011) – First African American woman to achieve this ranking

  • Mrs. Maryland America 2010

  • Mrs. Prince George’s County 2010

  • Mrs. ROTC Hampton University 1998

  • Veteran of the Year, Women Veteran’s Rock

  • Leader of the Future, Ebony Magazine

  • President’s Lifetime Achievement Award, The White House

  • Most Influential Women in Atlanta, The Atlantan

  • Top 25 Veteran Entrepreneurs (2025)

  • Features in Vanity Fair Fashion, Forbes LA and Cosmopolitan Canada

Personal

A proud Maryland native, Raquel has been married to Ron Thomas, Esq., a West Point graduate and former Army Captain, since 2006. Together they have two daughters: Maria, an aerospace engineering major, and Sophia (“SJ”), a celebrity teen chef. Their home is shared with a dog, a cat, and a few robots built by Maria.

Follow Raquel’s journey:
Instagram: @raquelrileythomas
Facebook: Raquel Riley Thomas

For pageant interviews, appearances, and sponsorship opportunities contact:
L. Nelson at pr@aoagwllc.com

For modeling projects contact:
Select Models Atlanta | lois@selectmodel.com