10 things about Miss Universe 1988 Bui Simon

Bui Simon represented Thailand in the 37th edition of Miss Universe. It is one of the six grand slam beauty pageants along with Miss World, Miss International, Miss Earth, Miss Supranational and Miss Grand International.

BIOGRAPHY

Simon is a Thai philanthropist and beauty queen based in Malibu, California, United States. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Pepperdine University in Malibu.

Born Porntip Nakhirunkanok (ภรณ์ทิพย์ นาคหิรัญกนก) in Bangkok, Thailand to Dawan Nakhirunkanok and Udom Nakhirunkanok, Simon is Tiantip Nakhirunkanok‘s sister. Simon’s husband Herbert Simon is an American real estate developer born in New York City, New York, USA.

On February 7, 2025, Bui turned 56. Here are 10 more things about her:

1. She and Herbert have a son named Sean Simon, a daughter named Sophie Simon and three adopted children.
2. In 1974, she and her family moved from Bangkok to the U.S.
3. She was Miss California Teen USA 1983 first runner-up.
4. She won Miss Thailand 1988 in Bangkok three weeks after she returned to the city from the U.S.
5. She won Miss Universe 1988 while attending Pasadena City College in Pasadena, California.
6. In 2002, she married Herbert and established the non-profit organization Angels Wings Foundation International, which assists underprivileged Thai children.
7. In December 2008, she established the Bui Simon Thai Endowed Scholarship Fund to help Thai students who wish to come to the U.S. and study as undergraduate students at Pepperdine University.
8. In 2010, Pepperdine University elected her to its board of regents.
9. In 2017, she launched the Angels Wings Thai Scholarship in the U.S. to recognize and honor Thai-American students in the country.
10. She was a Miss Universe 2018 judge.

TIMELINE

Bui is 5’8″ tall. She is the second Miss Universe from Thailand following Apasra Hongsakula, who was crowned in 1965.

1980s

• On May 24, 1988, she represented Thailand at Miss Universe 1988 and competed against 65 other candidates at the Lin Kuo Stadium in Taipei, Taiwan. She won the title and the Best National Costume award.
• In August 1988, King Bhumibol Adulyadej presented her the Thai Royal Medal of Honour, Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant for her service in helping children in need.
• On May 23, 1989, she crowned her successor Miss Universe 1989 Angela Visser at the Fiesta Americana Condesa Hotel in Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico.

2010s

• On December 17, 2018, she served as a judge at Miss Universe 2018 at the Impac Arena in Ban Mai, Nonthaburi, Thailand,

2020s

• In January 2025, her residence in Malibu was destroyed by wildfires.