Venus Raj Biography: Age, Height, Parents, Siblings, Net Worth, Awards, Movies, Husband, TV Series  

Venus Raj is a captivating Filipino-Indian actress, model, beauty queen, and television personality, renowned for her historic 4th Runner-Up finish at the 2010 Miss Universe pageant and her iconic “Major Major” response.

Born in Doha, Qatar, and raised in Bato, Camarines Sur, she embodies Filipino resilience, inspiring audiences with her journey from humble beginnings to national pride.

Profile

• Full Name: Maria Venus Bayonito Raj-Orillan
• Stage Name: Venus Raj
• Born: July 7, 1988
• Age: 37 years old
• Birthplace: Doha, Qatar
• Nationality: Filipino
• Occupation: Actress, Model, Beauty Pageant Titleholder, TV Host
• Height: 5’9″ (175 cm)
• Religion: Christianity
• Parents: Esther Bayonito
• Siblings: Four
• Spouse: North Orillan (m. 2023)
• Children: None
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $1 million to $5 million

Early Life

Venus Raj was born on July 7, 1988, in Doha, Qatar, to a Filipino mother, Esther Bayonito, a dressmaker and former tenant farmer, and an Indian-American father whom she never knew.

The youngest of five children, she moved to the Philippines as an infant and was raised in Bato, Camarines Sur, in a nipa hut made of wood, bamboo, and anahaw leaves, without electricity, amidst rice fields.

Her aunt registered her as a Philippine-born child. Growing up in poverty, Venus faced teasing for her tall, slender frame and dark skin, which didn’t align with local beauty standards of fair skin and voluptuous figures.

She began competing in pageants in fifth grade, winning first runner-up in her school’s Miss Intrams, and later joined regional contests to support her family financially.

Education

Venus attended Evansville Day School in Evansville, Indiana, for part of her education. She graduated cum laude from Bicol University in Legazpi City, Albay, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Arts, majoring in Journalism.

She later earned a Master’s degree in Community Development from the University of the Philippines Diliman. Additionally, she completed a short course at the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics (OCCA) in Oxford, England. Her academic achievements highlight her Filipino dedication to education despite humble beginnings.

Career

Venus launched her modelling career while working briefly as an Information Assistant at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. In 2008, she won the Miss Philippines Earth Eco Tourism title.

On March 6, 2010, she was crowned Binibining Pilipinas Universe 2010 at the Araneta Coliseum, earning special awards for Best in Long Gown, Best in Philippine Terno, and co-winner of Miss Friendship.

Her crowning was controversial; she was briefly dethroned due to citizenship disputes but reinstated on April 10, 2010, after obtaining a Philippine passport, affirming her Filipino citizenship via the jus sanguinis principle.

Representing the Philippines at the 2010 Miss Universe pageant in Las Vegas, she placed 4th Runner-Up, ending the country’s 10-year semifinal drought.

Her response to William Baldwin’s question about her biggest mistake, famously “Major Major,” became a cultural phenomenon. Venus joined a media tour with delegates from Australia, Colombia, Haiti, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela, and topped the Miss Universe website ratings with 3.54 points.

She later signed an exclusive contract with ABS-CBN in 2011, hosting Umagang Kay Ganda until its 2013 reformat, and appeared as a guest on networks like GMA.

Her acting credits include Maalaala Mo Kaya (1991), Wagas (2013), Slumber Party (2012), Pridyider (2012), and Wansapanataym (2010). She continues to model and advocate for community development, embodying Filipino excellence.

Awards & Nominations

• 2008: Miss Philippines Earth Eco Tourism
• 2010: Binibining Pilipinas Universe
• 2010: Binibining Pilipinas Best in Long Gown
• 2010: Binibining Pilipinas Best in Philippine Terno
• 2010: Binibining Pilipinas Miss Friendship (co-winner)
• 2010: Miss Universe 4th Runner-Up
• 2011: 25th PMPC Star Awards for TV
• 2012: 26th PMPC Star Awards for TV
• 2013: 27th PMPC Star Awards for TV

Social Media

• Instagram handle: @onlyvenusraj

Personal Life

Venus Raj, 37 years old and 5’9″ tall, lives in Manila. She married North Orillan, a non-showbiz professional, on December 12, 2023, after eight years of being single.

Their prenuptial photos, shared on Instagram in December 2023, captured their love story, which Venus described as a “blessing in waiting.” Previously, she was linked to Andrei Felix, but they parted ways by March 2011.

She has no children. Venus faced emotional challenges during the 2010 Miss Universe pageant after the death of her coach, Filipino-German beauty queen Melody Gersbach, in a car accident.

Her Christian faith, reflected in her Oxford studies, and Filipino-Indian heritage guide her advocacy for the poor and those born out of wedlock, as she stated in a 2010 interview: “My fight is about standing up for people who are poor and born out of wedlock.”

Net Worth

Venus Raj’s net Worth is estimated at $1 million to $5 million. Her income stems from her modelling career, television hosting with ABS-CBN, acting roles in shows like Maalaala Mo Kaya and Wagas, and endorsements. Her social media influence and pageant appearances also contribute to her success as a Filipino-Indian star.

Filmography

Maalaala Mo Kaya (1991) – Actress

Wansapanataym (2010) – Actress

Slumber Party (2012) – Actress

Pridyider (2012) – Actress (with Andi Eigenmann)

Wagas (2013) – Actress

Umagang Kay Ganda (2007–2013) – Host

ASAP 20 (2015) – Host

Rising Stars Philippines (2015) – Host