Jessica Anne Jordan Burton's background gave no indications that she would end up in politics.
Born in the Somerset town of Bath in England, the 26-year-old moved to Bolivia as a young girl with her mother after her parents divorced.
She was crowned Miss Bolivia in 2006. Four years later she is now responsible for development in Beni, north- east Bolivia.
It is an area which suffers serious poverty, caused in part by a lack of basic services and infrastructure. The cocaine trade dominates the local economy.
Ms Jordan says she spends her day-to-day life travelling the area, meeting people in ministries and making recommendations to the central government over how and where to invest money - important decisions which determine the allocation of a $700m development pot.
Her rapid journey into frontline politics began when she was preparing to enter Miss Universe and met Bolivian President, Evo Morales.
"I talked to him and I said I admired him for what he was achieving," she recalled.
"He was a man that suffered the real poverty in our country and now he is the president."
The discussion clearly left a lasting impression. Ms Jordan did not win the competition - Miss Japan took the prize - but she did win the backing of Mr Morales, who soon encouraged her to stand against Beni's elected governor, Ernesto Suarez.
"They knew it was going to be hard. I lost by 2,900 votes," says Ms Jordan.
"It was very, very close - and after the elections, after I lost, the president invited me to be director of development in my region.
"Obviously I accepted because I had 40% of votes."
Born in the Somerset town of Bath in England, the 26-year-old moved to Bolivia as a young girl with her mother after her parents divorced.
She was crowned Miss Bolivia in 2006. Four years later she is now responsible for development in Beni, north- east Bolivia.
It is an area which suffers serious poverty, caused in part by a lack of basic services and infrastructure. The cocaine trade dominates the local economy.
Ms Jordan says she spends her day-to-day life travelling the area, meeting people in ministries and making recommendations to the central government over how and where to invest money - important decisions which determine the allocation of a $700m development pot.
Her rapid journey into frontline politics began when she was preparing to enter Miss Universe and met Bolivian President, Evo Morales.
"I talked to him and I said I admired him for what he was achieving," she recalled.
"He was a man that suffered the real poverty in our country and now he is the president."
The discussion clearly left a lasting impression. Ms Jordan did not win the competition - Miss Japan took the prize - but she did win the backing of Mr Morales, who soon encouraged her to stand against Beni's elected governor, Ernesto Suarez.
"They knew it was going to be hard. I lost by 2,900 votes," says Ms Jordan.
"It was very, very close - and after the elections, after I lost, the president invited me to be director of development in my region.
"Obviously I accepted because I had 40% of votes."
It was a controversial appointment. The director of development position did not exist prior to Ms Jordan losing the election, and critics suggested that the role acted in competition with the elected governor, who is a member of the opposition.
Jessica Anne Jordan Burton wearing a 'Bolivia' sash Ms Jordan met Bolivian President Evo Morales as she prepared to compete in Miss Universe
Jessica Anne Jordan Burton wearing a 'Bolivia' sash Ms Jordan met Bolivian President Evo Morales as she prepared to compete in Miss Universe
"Sometimes there is discrimination only because you're young and you're a woman," Ms Jordan said."The president is a huge example of this. I think people that have love for their country can do much more than people that are only there looking for their own ambition."
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