Mrs. World Competitor a Valley Realtor

How does a nice girl from the Valley get to be Mrs. Iran, competing in the international Mrs. World contest?

In the case of stunning Sherman Oaks resident Nancy Ashouri, you start out as a little girl back in Iran, and then you carefully build a life dedicated to education, achievement, service to others, good health and fitness, positive thought and, most of all, family.

And, because the Iranian government does not permit its own residents to compete in the contest, it helps if you have lived in the United States for a few decades. Only Iranian women living outside Iran can vie for the title of Mrs. Iran—with the winner going on to compete for the Mrs. World crown.

Finally, you have to be gorgeous, and have friends. Ashouri, whose perfect figure is proof of her devotion to health and fitness, met with Sherman Oaks Patch to speak of her journey to a stage in Orlando, FL, where she recently competed with women from 60 countries for the coveted title.

She said, "It all started because a friend of mine was Mrs. Iran a few years ago. She knew the woman who chooses Mrs. Iran for the contest, and introduced us.

"This woman said to me, ‘I’ve already interviewed 40 or 50 candidates from everywhere, but you're such a lady, the very kind who can perfectly represent the wonderful women of Iran.’ " Extensive interviews with the woman put Ashouri ahead of the pack.

After she talked it over with her husband of nearly 30 years, he advised her to go for it, she said.

"He told me, ‘Go and enjoy it, and feel like you’re doing something for our culture, and to show people how educated and accomplished Persian ladies are.’ ”

And indeed, Ashouri seems to be all that. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemistry, but, she said, “I could not pursue that profession because I developed a very bad allergy to the chemicals.” Did that stop her from having a career? Not by a long shot. She and her husband immigrated to America, she became a licensed cosmetologist, and, using her lifelong devotion to athletics, she got certified in the full range of exercise disciplines and began teaching fitness classes at LA Fitness and Bally.

She also obtained a real estate license and works as a broker with Rodeo Realty in Sherman Oaks. In between, this energy dynamo has cared for her home, husband, 22-year-old daughter and 15-year-old son, who suffers from a rare liver ailment. The disease is called Alagille syndrome, and produces excruciating itching.

“I feel good to care for him, taking him to his doctors’ appointments, making sure he takes his important medications, and driving him to school in Calabasas every day," Ashouri said. "I transfer my happiness to my kids and especially show my son that if you have this disease, even as you suffer, that doesn’t affect your goals and your dream." She also works to raise awareness and funds for Alagille, she said.

"I also adopted several needy children in Iran whose education and support I pay for," she said.

If Ashouri's resume is impressive, so is her beauty. With her lithe, toned body, she shone in both the swimsuit and evening gown competitions at the Mrs. World event. “I had no problem with that!" she said, flashing a dazzling smile.

“I loved being with such wonderful ladies from all over the world, getting to know them, and learning about their cultures as well as sharing my own," Ashouri said. “My goal was to represent that a lady can be a lady all the time, be fun, be married for many, many years, be a good mother, contribute to others and to society, and still look good and be healthy.

"Positive thinking, positive action!" she said. She didn't clinch the crown, however.

“Even though I didn’t get the title of Mrs. World, I did my best in the contest and hope many people from many countries learned more about Iranian women," she said.

“The best part was the last night of the show. I looked into the audience and saw my son and my daughter, and they were calling out, ‘She’s my mom, she’s my mom, I love you, Mommy.’

“Oh, it was a great feeling. I hope I made them proud. I was proud.”