Dalene Kurtis

About Dalene Kurtis

Dalene Kurtis was born in Apple Valley, California on November 12, 1977, and raised in nearby Bakersfield. As an only child, she received a great deal of attention and encouragement from her parents, and the Kurtis family spent plenty of time exploring the great outdoors together, hiking, camping and fishing.

After graduating from high school, Dalene found employment at a local gym while attending business college. Her education landed her a job in the insurance business, where she worked for a well-known firm for three and a half years. Despite the security the job provided her, Dalene felt that something was missing from her life, and she decided to venture off to explore the vibrant metropolis of Los Angeles.

In 2000, when still employed by the insurance company, Dalene kicked off her new career when she entered -- and to her surprise, won -- a Venus Swimsuit contest. She next competed in a Miss Hawaiian Tropic pageant, where she failed to come out on top. She wasn't two for two as a pageant victor, but, at the latter competition, Dalene encountered someone who would help get her where she is today.

A good friend of Hugh Hefner's happened to be at the Miss Hawaiian Tropic event, and he invited Dalene to come out and meet Hef at the Playboy Mansion for his Sunday "Fun In The Sun" pool party. Dalene's experience at the party inspired her to pursue her dream of an exciting and glamorous life, and she decided to quit her job. In January of 2001, she relocated permanently to Santa Monica, where she landed a gig as a Budweiser girl.

Dalene found herself back at the Mansion for a February Valentine's Day party. Her second meeting with Hef sealed her fate, as she was asked to pose for a spread in the men's magazine. Dalene made her first appearance in Play..boy as Miss September 2001. This was just the beginning: A few months later, the former insurance firm employee would receive even more exciting news.

Dalene was astonished to learn that she had been named Playmate of the Year for 2002 -- a vote she had won by a significant margin. The title carried with it certain duties, mainly promotional interviews and public appearances, such as hosting a party in London for a 2002 World Cup game. Dalene has taken courses in preparation for a television career and hopes to one day work for MTV, E! or The Travel Channel.

2008-07-29

* UNDER CONSTRUCTION *

2008-07-29