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Valeria Mireles. Photo: Valeria Mireles/Instagram
Valeria Mireles died at age 20 on Monday, March 10.
The cowgirl influencer, known as “Miss Rodeo,” died following a car accident that occurred in the northeastern state of Nuevo León, Mexico.
Further details on Mireles’ death have yet to be made public. Her parents “asked that their privacy be respected at this difficult time,” per Mexican news outlet N+, providing no further comment.
Mireles gained a following on social media for her cowgirl lifestyle and horseback riding, amassing around 100K followers across Instagram and TikTok. She was nicknamed the “Mexico Rodeo Queen” and was known for barrel racing, per her bio.
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Valeria Mireles, known as “Miss Rodeo.”. Valeria Mireles/Instagram
Friends and family posted tributes to Mireles in the wake of her death, in addition to several people from the rodeo community.
“Valeria was more than a rodeo queen; she was an ambassador of cowboy culture, an inspiration to many young women,’ the Mexican Rodeo Federation said in a statement.
“Her smile lit up every arena, and her passion for rodeo was contagious. Although her passing leaves a void, her legacy will live on in our hearts and in the memory of rodeo,” the statement continued.
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Valeria Mireles. Valeria Mireles/Instagram
In a statement shared on Facebook, Mireles’ uncle, David González, mourned her death sharing a photo of the rodeo queen. “Niece Ana Valeria Mireles Villarreal, you will always live in our hearts,” he wrote. “We will miss you so much.”
Mireles’ friend, Cindy, also penned a tribute paired with a roundup of photos alongside a lengthy, heartfelt caption.
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Valeria Mireles. Valeria Mireles/Instagram
“I lack words to describe how much your departure hurts us, you leave us a huge void!!! I am grateful that God allowed me to grow up with you and share so many good times, so many laughs and anecdotes that I will carry with me always,” the post began.
“I will carry you in my memory and in my heart with that smiling face and so sweet,” Cindy continued. “Wherever you went you lit up the room with your scenery and your light.”
