Desiree Washington, a former American model and Miss Black Rhode Island winner, gained attention when she accused boxer Mike Tyson of rape.
Here’s an overview of her story.
Desiree Washington Quick Facts
| Wiki and Bio | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Desiree Washington |
| Nick Name | Unknown |
| Profession | Former American model |
| Famous as | Miss Black Rhode Island |
| Age | 51 years old |
| Date of Birth | 1973 |
| Birthplace/Hometown | Coventry, Rhode Island, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Sexuality | Heterosexual (Straight) |
| Gender | Female |
| Ethnicity | Afro-American |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Sun Sign (Zodiac Sign) | Unknown |
| Height (in feet) | 5 feet 5 inches |
| Height (in centimeters) | 165 cm |
| Weight (in pounds) | 121 lbs |
| Weight (in kilograms) | 55 kg |
| Body Measurements (in inches) | Update soon |
| Body Measurements (in centimeters) | Update soon |
| Biceps Size | Update soon |
| Shoe Size in US | Update soon |
| Tattoo Details | Update soon |
| Eye Color | Dark |
| Hair Color | Brunette |
| Parents | Donald and Mary Belle Silva |
| Siblings | Two siblings (exact details unknown) |
| Relationship Status | Single |
| Dating History | Unknown |
| Partner | Unknown |
| Children | None |
| Highest Qualification | Bachelor’s degree in Psychology |
| School | Coventry High School |
| Alma Mater | Providence College |
| Hobbies & Favorites | Update soon |
| Favorite Celebrities | Update soon |
| Dream Holiday | Update soon |
| Favorite Color | Update soon |
| Interests | Update soon |
| Net Worth | Unknown |
| Salary & Earnings | Update soon |
| Update soon | |
| TikTok | Update soon |
Who is Desiree Washington?
Desiree Washington, originally from Coventry, gained prominence through her modeling and pageantry pursuits.
She achieved the title of Miss Black Rhode Island in the early 1990s.
However, what was supposed to be a celebratory time in her life turned into a harrowing ordeal.
Desiree became widely known after accusing the American former professional boxer, Mike Tyson, of sexually assaulting her against her will.
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What Happened With Desiree Washington & Mike Tyson
Desiree competed in and won the Miss Black Rhode Island pageant in 1991, an event that had Mike Tyson, the world heavyweight champion, as one of the guests.
Following the competition, the pageant winner had a seemingly pleasant conversation with the boxer.
However, on the evening of July 19, 1991, Mike Tyson invited Desiree to join him in his hotel room at the Indiana Polis.
The very next day, she checked herself into the emergency room of Methodist Hospital, and revealed that Mike Tyson sexually assaulted her.
According to her claims, the boxer had called her to his room and forced himself upon her.
Further investigation revealed that the two had been in a limo having a good time before returning to the room together around midnight.
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Desiree Washington Court Case
Authorities moved ahead with a case after Desiree gave her story.
In the same month of July, Indiana Police arrested Mike from his hotel room.
The rape trial didn’t commence until January 1992 and continued into February.
During the trial, Mike asserted that everything that occurred that night was with Washington’s full consent. He explained that he had not forced himself on her at any point.
He also claimed that it was Washington who wanted to engage in sexual activity with him and denied deceiving her.
Medical reports, however, supported Washington’s account, indicating that her physical condition was consistent with rape.
In addition, Desiree Washington revealed that Tyson’s team offered her a $1 million compensation if she withdrew the case.
The medical reports that corroborated her claims were a clear victory for her in the trial.
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Was Mike Tyson Convicted?
After almost 10 hours of talking and questioning, the jury decided that Tyson was guilty of the rape charge on February 10, 1992.
On March 26, 1992, he got a six-year prison sentence for the rape, and also had to be on probation for four years.
Tyson’s lawyers argued in their appeal that the Court was wrong to not consider evidence about the victim’s past.
In April 1992, Tyson was moved to the Indiana Youth Center. He got out of prison in 1995 after spending less than three years in prison, which was less than half of his original sentence.
As per federal law, the heavyweight champion was required to register as a sex offender.
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Desiree Washington Today
Around the same time as Mike’s release, Desiree participated in an interview with Barbara Walters.
This was the first time in four years since the incident that Desiree publicly addressed her experience and the resulting trauma.
In the conversation, she shared details about her life after the ordeal, highlighting the persistent bullying and harassment she faced from friends and others, particularly those who supported Mike.
She further revealed,
“I went from being such an outgoing person to just being so reclusive. I was chosen as the friendliest in high school. But after that, I just sat in my room in the corner of my bed, and I just couldn’t move for the longest time. I couldn’t believe it.”
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Desiree Washington Wiki, Age, Bio
Desiree Washington, born in 1973, is 51 years old as of 2024.
Originally from Coventry, Rhode Island, USA, she has an average height of 5 feet 5 inches and weighs 55 kilograms.
She is an American, belonging to a mixed Afro-American ethnicity.
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Desiree Washington Parents
Desiree belongs to a family of three children, with her parents being Donald and Mary Belle Silva.
They lived in a ranch-style house south of Providence, Rhode Island.
Donald, Desiree’s father, served as a bookkeeper at the Days Inn in Cranston. Meanwhile, her mother, Mary Belle, worked as a personnel manager.
Her parents separated in the early ’90s after 17 years of marriage.
The incident and court proceedings regarding rape accusations played a major role in their decision to part ways.
Additionally, they were forced to quit their jobs due to these circumstances.
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Desiree Washington Education
Desiree was a popular and sociable student at Coventry High School, earning the titles of “most friendly” and “most talkative” through a majority vote.
She later attended Providence College, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 1995.
During her senior year, Desiree stood out as the only person of color among 34 students chosen nationwide to serve as goodwill ambassadors in Moscow.
After completing her university studies, she dedicated time to volunteer work and taught Sunday School. Simultaneously, she pursued a modeling career and participated in various pageants.
In 1991, she achieved the title of Miss Black Rhode Island and competed in the Miss Black America pageant.
However, her life took a challenging turn after the incident, leading to difficult times for her and her family, prompting her to step back from the public eye.
