María Argüello

María Argüello, born María Lorena Argüello Salazar, was a promising Ecuadorian model and beauty queen who represented the Metropolitan District of Quito in the Miss Universo Ecuador 2024 pageant, where she reached the semifinals. At the age of 28, she tragically passed away on June 1, 2023, leaving behind a legacy of compassion and ambition. A graduate in medicine from the Universidad de Las Américas, Argüello had aspirations of specializing in Neonatology. She was actively involved in volunteer work with the Fundación Reina de Quito and had a passion for sports, having been part of Ecuador's volleyball pre-selection team. Her unexpected death has deeply affected the beauty pageant community and her fellow contestants.