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. Raquel is Elite Queen of the World 2025 and was crowned on May 10th at the Queen of the World pageant held in New York City. A former Army Captain, Raquel served for nine years in the military, now inducted into the Library of Congress for her leadership and resilience.

Raquel is the founder and CEO of An Officer and Gentlewoman, LLC, she started in 2011. Her and her team have built an award-winning global media and entertainment company recognized as the Best Media and Entertainment Company in both Washington, D.C., and Atlanta. The company has four divisions: Public Relations, Brand Management, Talent Management and Production. Under her leadership, the company has produced high-profile brand campaigns, television productions, and managed elite Emmy-winning talent, making a lasting impact in the beauty, fashion, music, corporate and lifestyle industries. The company has won over 75 awards.

Standing at 5’9”, Raquel has been a professional model since 2002. She has been represented by Elite Models, Ford Models and currently Select Models. She has been featured in over 125 print, billboards and television commercial campaigns for major brands such as Coca-Cola, Wells Fargo, Delta Airlines, and 1-800-Contacts. Raquel has recently been featured on the covers over international magazines such as FIGGI (Italy), VOUS (Italy), and HollyWay (Japan).

In 2020, Raquel expanded her entrepreneurial reach and launched Raquel Riley Thomas Beauty (RRTBeauty) a performance-based makeup brand designed for long-wear durability. The first collection,” The Virtuoso”, sold out in its first month of its debut.

Beyond her business ventures, Raquel is a recognized Beauty and Fashion Expert, frequently appearing as a television commentator on FOX, ABC, NBC, CBS, and Reelz. Her expertise has been showcased in coverage of events like the Oscars and Emmys, as well as in Reelz’s “The Kate Spade Story.” She has also been featured in numerous publications, including USA News, Style Cruze, Fitness, Washingtonian, Washington Life, and Military Times.

Education:

Raquel Riley Thomas is a lifelong scholar and leader with an extensive background in military, business, and personal development.

She began her academic and professional journey in 1990, graduating from the Defense Information School of Technology. In 1994, she completed the Primary Leadership Development Course in Tague, Korea, further honing her leadership skills.

In 1998, Raquel earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Hampton University, where she also distinguished herself as a Distinguished Military Graduate from the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). That same year, she completed the Officer Leadership Course, preparing her for a successful career as a U.S. Army officer.

Always committed to personal growth, Raquel earned a Certification in Mastery of Negotiations from Harvard Business School in 2019, strengthening her expertise in high-stakes negotiations and strategic decision-making.

Community:

DefendRILEY: Fight Back. Stand Strong. Stay Safe. Raquel Riley Thomas, a decorated U.S. Army Captain (Veteran) and dedicated Taekwondo martial artist, transformed personal tragedy into a mission of empowerment. Following the devastating loss of her mother to suicide in March 2013, Raquel uncovered a painful truth—her mother had been a survivor of assault. Having faced similar trauma herself, Raquel refused to stay silent. Instead, she launched DefendRILEY, a powerful initiative committed to providing hands-on self-defense training and personal safety education for women and girls around the world. As a red belt in Taekwondo, Raquel actively mentors and instructs young students through a national Taekwondo program, instilling confidence, discipline, and resilience. With a goal to earn her black belt and become a Master Instructor, she is now working to transition DefendRILEY into a nonprofit organization that will offer scholarships and expand access to life-saving self-defense education.

Beyond DefendRILEY, Raquel is a Publicist for the Southeast Chapter of the Emmys, where she leverages her expertise to support media professionals. She also serves as an Advisory Board Member for Operation Renewed Hope Foundation, advocating for veteran support and housing stability.

Her dedication to Veterans extends to her memberships in Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Veterans in Media, where she continues to uplift and support those who have served. As a Diamond Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc., she champions scholarship, service, and social justice.

Military and Civilian Awards Highlights

(For the full list, contact pr@aoagwllc.com)

A highly decorated military veteran and distinguished entrepreneur, Raquel Riley Thomas has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to both military service and the business world.

Her legacy is preserved in the Library of Congress, honoring her service in the U.S. Army, where she was awarded the Army Commendation Medal (2x) and the Army Achievement Medal (3x).

Her leadership and impact have earned her numerous accolades, including:

  • 2000: Selected as a "Leader of the Future" by Ebony Magazine

  • 2011: Mrs. America (1st Runner-Up) – First African American woman to achieve this rank in the Mrs. America organization

  • 2011: Named "Veteran of the Year" by Women Veteran’s Rock

  • 2013: Recognized in Washington Business Journal’s “People on the Move”

  • 2022: Named a Consumer Goods Technology (CGT) Visionary

  • 2022: Recipient of the Entrepreneur Business Startup Award for Raquel Riley Thomas Cosmetics from The Rosie Network

  • 2023: Honored as one of The Atlantan’s "Most Influential Women in Atlanta"

  • 2023: Featured in Upscale Magazine’s HBCU Alumni Entrepreneurs issue (Feb/March)

  • 2023: Highlighted as a "Mother and Mogul" in Upscale Magazine

  • 2023: Awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Award (Gold)

  • 2024: Honored with the President’s Volunteer Service Award (Lifetime Achievement)

  • 2025: Crowned Elite Nigeria Queen of the World

  • 2025 Crowned Elite Queen of the World

  • 2025 Recognized as Top 25 Veteran Entrepreneurs

Personal:

Raquel Riley Thomas is a Maryland native who recently relocated to Georgia. She has been married to West Point graduate Ron Thomas, Esq. since 2006. Notably, Ron never lost to Navy during his football career. Together, they have two daughters: Maria, an aerospace engineering major, and Sophia, a celebrity teen chef. Their family also includes a dog, a cat, and a few robots built by Maria Raquel.

Follow her journey on Instagram: @raquelrileythomas. 

Follow her journey on Facebook:

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

For modeling projects, contact Select Models Atlanta | Agent Lois Thigpen | lois@selectmodel.com