New York, NY – Raquel Riley Thomas is not just redefining the modern meaning of royalty — she is reshaping what leadership, courage, and impact look like in today’s world. Newly crowned Elite Queen of the World 2025 and honored as Elite Mrs. Nigeria Queen of the World 2025, Thomas brings an extraordinary fusion of military discipline, pageant excellence, entrepreneurial vision, and humanitarian purpose to the international stage.
Before she ever walked a runway, she served her country. Before she ever wore a crown, she wore the uniform. And before she ever built a global brand, she built resilience through service, motherhood, and profound loss.
From Army Boots to Global Leadership
Raquel’s story begins long before the spotlight — in 1990, when she entered the U.S. Army, serving nine years as both an enlisted photojournalist and an Ordnance Officer. Her military excellence earned her multiple distinctions, including:
- U.S. Army Commendation Medal (2x)
- U.S. Army Achievement Medal (3x)
- Induction into the Library of Congress for her military service
Her time in uniform shaped her identity: disciplined, fearless, and committed to service. It became the foundation of everything she accomplished afterwards.
A Creative Renaissance: Photography, Modeling, and National Recognition
In 2002, after retiring her military boots, Raquel launched her first company, Photography By Raquel, LLC, photographing actors, celebrities, and Jet Magazine centerfolds. That same year, she stepped confidently into the fashion world herself, signing with Elite Model Management, later Ford Models NYC, and currently Select Models.
Over her modeling career, she has appeared in 125+ print and commercial campaigns, including:
- Coca-Cola
- Wells Fargo
- Delta
- 1-800-Contacts
- Multiple Fortune 500 brands
In 2010, she entered the Mrs. America system to show her daughters that a princess could look like them. She won Mrs. Maryland America 2010, and then made history as the first African American to place as 1st Runner-Up at Mrs. America 2011.
It was a turning point — one that transformed her path forever.
Building a Media Empire: An Officer and Gentlewoman, LLC
In 2011, Raquel founded An Officer and Gentlewoman, LLC (AOAGWLLC), a global media and entertainment company with divisions in:
- Talent Management
- Brand Management
- Public Relations
- Production Services
Under her leadership, AOAGWLLC has earned 75+ industry awards across Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Georgia, establishing her as a powerhouse in the world of media, branding, and public relations.
Her clients include entertainment icons, CEOs, public figures, and national brands.
In 2020, she expanded further, launching Raquel Riley Thomas Beauty (RRTBeauty) — a performance-based makeup line created for long-wear durability.
A Crown With Purpose: DefendRILEY
Some missions are born from heartbreak.
In 2013, Raquel lost her mother to suicide. Years later, she discovered her mother had also been assaulted in her youth — a revelation that fueled her desire to ensure no woman felt powerless again.
Now a red belt in Taekwondo, training toward black belt mastery, Raquel launched DefendRILEY, a self-defense and personal safety initiative empowering women and girls worldwide.
Through DefendRILEY, she:
- Advocates for self-defense training in schools
- Partners with martial arts programs across the U.S.
- Teaches children through a national Taekwondo program under Master Tommy Cho
- Provides hands-on workshops for women and girls
Her crown is not an ornament — it is a vehicle for impact.
A Voice in Beauty, Fashion, and Media
Raquel is widely recognized for her brilliance both on-screen and behind the scenes. She has appeared as a beauty and fashion expert on:
- FOX
- ABC
- NBC
- CBS
- REELZ Network
Her commentary includes coverage of the Oscars, Emmys, and high-profile celebrity fashion moments.
Her work has been featured in leading publications such as:
- USA News
- Style Cruze
- Fitness Magazine
- Washingtonian
- Washington Life
- Military Times
- And many more
Education, Honor, and Lifelong Excellence
Raquel’s academic and professional accomplishments include:
- Degree in Psychology (Hampton University, 1998)
- Distinguished Military Graduate (ROTC, 1998)
- Defense Information School of Technology (1990)
- Leadership Courses (1994 & 1998)
- Harvard Business School Certification in Mastery of Negotiations (2019)
- Red Belt in Taekwondo (2025), training toward black belt
She continues to evolve — never stopping, never slowing.
A Life Devoted to Community and Service
Raquel serves in multiple leadership and service capacities, including:
- Publicist Board, NATAS (Emmys) Southeast Chapter
- Advisory Board, Operation Renewed Hope Foundation
- Veterans of Foreign Wars member
- Veterans in Media member
- Diamond Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
In 2024, she received the President’s Volunteer Service Award (Lifetime) for her community impact.
In 2023, she was named one of Atlanta’s Most Influential Women by Modern Luxury.
Family First: The Heart Behind the Legacy
A proud Maryland native now living in Georgia, Raquel is married to Ron Thomas, Esq, a West Point graduate known for never losing to Navy during his football career.
Together since 2006, they share two daughters:
- Maria, majoring in aerospace engineering
- Sophia, a celebrity teen chef
Their home is filled with love, pets — and a few clever robots built by Maria.
A Queen for Today’s World
What makes Raquel exceptional is not the titles she holds — but the purpose she carries.
She moves effortlessly between glamorous red carpets and Taekwondo mats. Between national TV interviews and intimate self-defense workshops. Between global business leadership and motherhood.
As Elite Queen of the World 2025, she enters this new chapter with the same unwavering mission:
To empower, protect, uplift, and inspire — wherever her crown leads her.
Her legacy will not be defined by how brightly her crown shines, but by how many lives she strengthens beneath its glow.
Credits-
Media Mogul, Army Veteran, Model, Beauty Queen:
Raquel Riley Thomas | @raquelrileythomas
Publicist: An Officer and Gentlewoman, LLC | @aoagwllc
Elite Queen of the World | @queen_of_the_world_pageant_
Photographer: James Hicks | @james_l_hicks2photography
Stylist: Shang Coleman | @shangcoleman
Makeup: Tydell Powell | @tyty_jamal
Makeup products: RRT Beauty | @rrtbeauty
Hair: Bre Phillips | @_brethehairboss
Brows: @browsbyvann of Lenox Brow and Lash
Lashes: @lashbykayla23 of Lenox Brow and Lash
Agent: Select Models Atlanta | @selectmodelatlanta
Photo Editor: Anastasiia Kasinova | @nastasia___retouch