Sonia Rolland

thumb|Sonia Rolland in 2009 Sonia Rolland (born 11 February 1981), also known as Sonia Rolland Uwitonze, is a French-Rwandan actress, director, writer and humanitarian, who was crowned Miss France 2000 and became the first African-born winner of the pageant. She is the founder of the charity Maïsha Africa, which supports orphans and street children in Rwanda, and has built a career in French film and television. Quotes This is my way of contributing towards national development. On why she supports the Gisimba Memorial Centre in Kigali, a former orphanage, as recorded on Wikiquote from The New Times (November 22, 2017) J'ai l'impression d'avoir vécu mille vies! (I feel as if I've lived a thousand lives!) On her journey from Rwanda to Burundi to rural France; translation by the editor. Sonia Rolland : « La vie est un miracle » Découvrir Dieu (August 31, 2021) I don't even wish it on my worst enemy, if I have one. It's horrible, dengue. It is something that strikes you down. You have thoughts of suicide, outright. "Sonia Rolland touched by a terrible disease, she tells about her ordeal: Current Woman The MAG" (19 February 2021) We have become accustomed to the horror images of this country, but when I return I find that there is God everywhere all over Rwanda, "a-look-back-at-sonia-rollandas-documentary-arwanda-du-chaos-au-miraclea", The New Times (14 April 2021) Rwanda is a country which is stable, unified, clean, at peace and resolutely turned towards economic development after 1995 Genocide against Tutsi. "a-look-back-at-sonia-rollandas-documentary-arwanda-du-chaos-au-miraclea", The New Times (14 April 2021) I’ve been inspired by the fact that I’m Rwandan. We left this country in bad conditions. This is my way of contributing towards national development. "Miss France 2000 and founder of Maisha Africa Association, Sonia Rolland Uwitonze, is helping Gisimba Memorial Centre, a former orphanage in Nyamirambo Sector, Nyarugenge District, continue its initial mission of preserving child rights." (22 November 2017) I hope it’s going to help children to develop their inner talents, the idea was to turn this centre which used to serve as an orphanage into something useful for the children. "Miss France 2000 and founder of Maisha Africa Association, Sonia Rolland Uwitonze, is helping Gisimba Memorial Centre, a former orphanage in Nyamirambo Sector, Nyarugenge District, continue its initial mission of preserving child rights." (22 November 2017) It’s a big pleasure and honor to be among the judges to select Miss France 2021 and I will be celebrating 20 years since I was crowned Miss France 2000 . https://www.ktpress.rw/2020/12/sonia-rolland-among-miss-france-2021-judges/ ( KT Press , December 1, 2020) Thanks to the team of Ruhengeri Referral Hospital for having me and congratulations for the achievement . https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/172655/News/former-miss-france-donates-medical-equipment-to-ruhengeri-hospital ( The New Times, January 05, 2020 ) I’ve been inspired by the fact that I’m Rwandan. We left this country in bad conditions. This is my way of contributing towards national development . https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/146249/News/ex-miss-france-lives-her-passion-to-improve-child-rights-in-rwanda ( ( The New Times, November 22, 2017 ) I hope it’s going to help children to develop their inner talents, the idea was to turn this centre which used to serve as an orphanage into something useful for the children . https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/146249/News/ex-miss-france-lives-her-passion-to-improve-child-rights-in-rwanda ( The New Times, November 22, 2017 ) MY COUNTRY of origin is called Rwanda . https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/185347/Entertainment/a-look-back-at-sonia-rollandas-documentary-arwanda-du-chaos-au-miraclea ( The New Times, April 14, 2021 ) We have become accustomed to the horror images of this country, but when I return I find that there is God everywhere all over Rwanda . https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/185347/Entertainment/a-look-back-at-sonia-rollandas-documentary-arwanda-du-chaos-au-miraclea ( The New Times, April 14, 2021 ) On May 7, I’m going to vote against Marine Le Pen because I love my country France . https://www.ktpress.rw/2017/05/ex-miss-france-sonia-rolland-received-2000-hate-letters-from-le-pen-party/ ( KT Press, May 2, 2017 ) A country which is stable, unified, clean, at peace and resolutely turned towards economic development . https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/185347/Entertainment/a-look-back-at-sonia-rollandas-documentary-arwanda-du-chaos-au-miraclea ( The New Times, April 14, 2021 ) In 2000 after winning the Miss France crown, I received over 2000 letters of insults and death threats from supporters of FN, because to them I did not represent France . https://www.ktpress.rw/2017/05/ex-miss-france-sonia-rolland-received-2000-hate-letters-from-le-pen-party/ ( KT Press, May 2, 2017 ) In 2002 I made a choice between Chirac and Le Pen on second round of presidential elections . https://www.ktpress.rw/2017/05/ex-miss-france-sonia-rolland-received-2000-hate-letters-from-le-pen-party/ ( KT Press, May 2, 2017 ) We are in 2017, the face seems more likeable, the communication more treated while the smile that accompanies the campaign promises of more social, making us believe that it will be the voice ‘of the people . https://www.ktpress.rw/2017/05/ex-miss-france-sonia-rolland-received-2000-hate-letters-from-le-pen-party/ ( KT Press, May 2, 2017 ) I joined the beauty competition to enable me to be become an actress. I began as Miss Bourgogne in 2000 and three months later I became Miss France. https://panafricanvisions.com/2013/10/immigrant-turned-beauty-queen-movie-star/ ( Pan African Visions, October 29, 2013) But we all know that in real sense, the FN idealists supporters are always so stinking and are hungry of power much as they are quite a big number than before. https://www.ktpress.rw/2017/05/ex-miss-france-sonia-rolland-received-2000-hate-letters-from-le-pen-party/ ( KT Press, May 2, 2017 ) I was like everyone who thinks about their career, I thought it would derail me. I am not married but I have two children. Family is everything and my kids have made me stronger. https://panafricanvisions.com/2013/10/immigrant-turned-beauty-queen-movie-star/ ( Pan African Visions, October 29, 2013) I have a boyfriend who is a director and actor. For now our lives are our biggest project. https://panafricanvisions.com/2013/10/immigrant-turned-beauty-queen-movie-star/ ( Pan African Visions, October 29, 2013) I never felt afraid because I knew that the work was what mattered most. I have always been a hard worker, and nothing daunts me. What sometimes scares me is people's ignorance or stupidity. However, in the world we live in, we encounter such minor issues, and I don't even dwell on them. In reality, if you want to achieve success, you must have a goal and stand firm by it—and you need to have patience. I chose to remain silent because we had no option but to expose them. These people this group of people were angry. Let me give you the example of Miss France. Uwo si njye! Kandi ni ukuri, ibintu byinshi byarahindutse muri iki gihe cy’imbuga nkoranyambaga, aho abantu batugeraho byoroshye, bakadutuka cyangwa bakatugabaho ibitero ako kanya. Icyo gihe, ni twe ubwacu tugomba guhitamo niba twasoma ibyo bavuga cyangwa tutabisoma. Njye ubwanjye sinigeze na rimwe nsoma ibitekerezo by’abantu bampiga cyangwa bantuka. https://www.igihe.com/imyidagaduro/article/sonia-rolland-yahishuye-impamvu-yaryumyeho-mu-gihe-yakorerwaga-ivangura-akimara ( Igihe.com Kuya 8 November 2025 saa 12:38) I don’t have a specific idol because I believe that all powerful people are like others. Meet Sonia Rolland. newtimes.co.rw (October 4, 2026) I strive to impact and build people’s lives before I leave this world because I don’t want to have regrets that I wasn’t able to help when I could have. Meet Sonia Rolland. newtimes.co.rw (October 4, 2026) I don’t regret anything because I have grown with all the difficult experiences I have been through. I always learn from them. And you know, I have been through more positive things than negative. Sonia Rolland. fdfparis.com (October 4, 2026) I have always looked at it with a lot of perspective. I was put under the spotlight at the age of 18, which can weaken your spirit because everything is suddenly reachable… And you must be able to make the right choices. I quickly realized how dangerous that could be. Sonia Rolland. fdfparis.com (October 4, 2026) I must admit it is not always nice to be exposed like that. I am not a litigious person but I cannot stand people lying, slandering or exposing my children’s faces. It is up to them. If it came up, it would be their choice. I chose a job where I am exposed, so sometimes I just bite my tongue. But honestly, I don’t feel harassed. I believe my life is too quiete in the tabloids’ eyes. Sonia Rolland. fdfparis.com (October 4, 2026) Free women, who have respect for all the beautiful things life gives them. Educated women, with free will, who are curious of others, and opened to the world... I am very attached to transmission; the kind of knowledge we leave them. We talk a lot. I want to give them structure, even though our jobs – my partner’s and mine – are very time-consuming. Sonia Rolland. fdfparis.com (October 4, 2026) When I was little, I would write a lot, fill notebooks piling up in my room. It was an outlet. Now I write stories to turn them into pictures. Sonia Rolland. fdfparis.com (October 4, 2026) Live happy, live hidden. Sonia Rolland Is Going to Say Yes to Her Childhood Sweetheart. ecostylia.com (October 4, 2026) These orphans had painful stories. I initially created the project to help orphans. The initial project was later expanded to support vulnerable children in general. The project started renovating houses of Genocide orphans in Kimironko and other places. We are glad that these children have become adults today. Sonia Rolland visits Ruhengeri Hospital, donates over Rwf30 million to save lives of premature babies. en.igihe.com (October 4, 2026) They understand my absences better. Taking them was essential so that they saw that it was about helping others, children: we distributed school supplies in the schools that we built with the association. So they realize that they are very privileged next to all these kids. It creates empathy in them. Sonia Rolland marked by her return to Rwanda after Miss France: “It was so moving”. gala.fr (October 4, 2026) Certain pressures exerted on Rwanda can be explained by the refusal to see strong, sovereign and prosperous states emerge in Africa. The DRC can draw inspiration from the Rwandan model – Miss Sonia Rolland. laune.rw (October 4, 2026) Rwanda is a fully independent state, driven by a pan-African vision, which was able, at one point in its history, to sustainably refuse international aid in order to define its own rules, build its institutions and rebuild the nation on new bases, eliminating ethnic divisions. The DRC can draw inspiration from the Rwandan model – Miss Sonia Rolland. laune.rw (October 4, 2026) Rwandan children grow up without being identified by ethnicity, benefit from the same opportunities, and even the children of the perpetrators of the genocide are integrated into society without discrimination. The DRC can draw inspiration from the Rwandan model – Miss Sonia Rolland. laune.rw (October 4, 2026) I chose to be temporarily forgotten to get real roles. France – Rwanda: Sonia Rolland, Miss and ambassador. jeuneafrique.com (October 4, 2026) I knew how to say no to proposals that were too easy France – Rwanda: Sonia Rolland, Miss and ambassador. jeuneafrique.com (October 4, 2026) It is the Rwandans who are at the heart of this success. Without humans, growth is not possible. France – Rwanda: Sonia Rolland, Miss and ambassador. jeuneafrique.com (October 4, 2026) The option of reconciliation was not chosen out of concern to respect the right-thinking injunctions of the international community. But because it was the only way to prioritize life and avoid sinking in self-destruction. France – Rwanda: Sonia Rolland, Miss and ambassador. jeuneafrique.com (October 4, 2026) For a long time, I had frustrations at not doing bigger. Sonia Rolland committed for Africa and the Planet. helloplanet.tv (October 4, 2026) Today I think it should really be urgent, even political. Basically there are no longer really any political colors, the first color that should dominate is the environment. Sonia Rolland committed for Africa and the Planet. helloplanet.tv (October 4, 2026) I am very proud of my origins and I'm more determined than ever to make a difference. E10 | | Sonia Rolland, the right to live. myzen.tv (October 4, 2026) Memories haunt our lives. We have not suffered physical violence, it is more insidious: incomprehension in the face of injustice. In the Match archives - Sonia Rolland: "The day the Rwandan genocide swept through my life". parismatch.com (October 4, 2026) When I was 20 I hated myself because I felt like my body was an object and that it was only useful for marketing. Sonia Rolland : nothing can stop me today !. leprescripteur.com (October 4, 2026) I started to love my body when I knew I was pregnant because welcoming a child means offering your body to someone who needs us. We stop being obsessed with ourselves, we are in the gift. Sonia Rolland : nothing can stop me today !. leprescripteur.com (October 4, 2026) I remain very sporty because it does me good to relieve stress. Sonia Rolland : nothing can stop me today !. leprescripteur.com (October 4, 2026) Preparing the physical allows you to manage the mental! The brain alone cannot handle everything. If you are physically prepared, it allows you to clear your mind, relieve stress and above all release endorphins, and therefore be in a good mood. Sonia Rolland : nothing can stop me today !. leprescripteur.com (October 4, 2026) However, I like people who are loyal to a perfume. Sonia Rolland "seduction is something that escapes us, that is not played, not thought out". marieclaire.fr (October 4, 2026) I wanted to show that even from an unprivileged background, if you have a dream and pugnacity, you can chart a royal path for yourself! In my case, the road was strewn with pitfalls. Sonia Rolland: "I didn’t understand why I was so lucky". notretemps.com (October 4, 2026) When we talked about Africa, people asked us if we lived in huts and if we ate grilled grasshoppers for breakfast! It was not wickedness that animated them but ignorance! I discovered the lack of knowledge people had about Africa. Sonia Rolland: "I didn’t understand why I was so lucky". notretemps.com (October 4, 2026) My strength is my experience. I feel like I've lived a thousand lives! Born in Kigali, elected Miss France in 2000, Sonia Rolland founded the Maïsha Africa association. decouvrir-dieu.com (October 4, 2026) All this taught us one thing: the value of work, of toil. Self-sacrifice and resilience have been a part of my life ever since. Born in Kigali, elected Miss France in 2000, Sonia Rolland founded the Maïsha Africa association. decouvrir-dieu.com (October 4, 2026) The title is heavy to bear and exposes you enormously, but I had received education and values. Born in Kigali, elected Miss France in 2000, Sonia Rolland founded the Maïsha Africa association. decouvrir-dieu.com (October 4, 2026) There are souls who fight to improve our society, we must highlight them! Born in Kigali, elected Miss France in 2000, Sonia Rolland founded the Maïsha Africa association. decouvrir-dieu.com (October 4, 2026) I am fulfilled, because I reap the fruits of hard work on the question of values, of supervision. Born in Kigali, elected Miss France in 2000, Sonia Rolland founded the Maïsha Africa association. decouvrir-dieu.com (October 4, 2026) Trying to be perfect is useless, what matters is listening to your child. Born in Kigali, elected Miss France in 2000, Sonia Rolland founded the Maïsha Africa association. decouvrir-dieu.com (October 4, 2026) We always do therapy to protect ourselves from others and we end up protecting ourselves from ourselves. Born in Kigali, elected Miss France in 2000, Sonia Rolland founded the Maïsha Africa association. decouvrir-dieu.com (October 4, 2026) I want to show them (my daughters) that you have nothing without fighting, transmit to them a fighter's state of mind, develop their character and their empathy. The key is to keep a good balance between the two. Born in Kigali, elected Miss France in 2000, Sonia Rolland founded the Maïsha Africa association. decouvrir-dieu.com (October 4, 2026) My happiness is my family environment. Born in Kigali, elected Miss France in 2000, Sonia Rolland founded the Maïsha Africa association. decouvrir-dieu.com (October 4, 2026) I consider that life is a miracle, that it is a precious commodity. That health is an incredible gift... We must not give up. You have to give everything until your last breath. Born in Kigali, elected Miss France in 2000, Sonia Rolland founded the Maïsha Africa association. decouvrir-dieu.com (October 4, 2026) Spirituality can be taught to your children in simple words, letting faith reveal itself. Born in Kigali, elected Miss France in 2000, Sonia Rolland founded the Maïsha Africa association. decouvrir-dieu.com (October 4, 2026) We must cultivate the bond with grandparents, who build the strongest foundations, with methodology. Born in Kigali, elected Miss France in 2000, Sonia Rolland founded the Maïsha Africa association. decouvrir-dieu.com (October 4, 2026) I believe that if you want to go far, you have to surround yourself well. And don't be afraid of the time factor. Sonia Rolland: "I am my parents’ perfect combination: risk and reason.". samuelmassilia.com (October 4, 2026) I think of these many kids, these many girls who prevent themselves from living their dream, because they have assigned themselves to a place that is not theirs. Sonia Rolland: "I am my parents’ perfect combination: risk and reason.". samuelmassilia.com (October 4, 2026) Aren't we, parents, the first barrier to our children? There are psychological barriers that are created when we project our fears into them. Sonia Rolland: "I am my parents’ perfect combination: risk and reason.". samuelmassilia.com (October 4, 2026) You have to maintain a real element of humility in your work, but also not let yourself be stepped on because you are humble. Sonia Rolland: "I am my parents’ perfect combination: risk and reason.". samuelmassilia.com (October 4, 2026) Nothing beats trying the impossible, it's so exhilarating to embark on the adventure! Sonia Rolland: "I am my parents’ perfect combination: risk and reason.". samuelmassilia.com (October 4, 2026) I am a fulfilled woman, I am a fulfilled mother. It allows me to spread my wings and achieve things I would never have achieved before. Sonia Rolland has felt herself growing wings since her marriage. fr.style.yahoo.com (October 4, 2026) External links Category:Actresses from France Category:Actresses from Rwanda Category:1981 births Category:Living people Category:Miss France winners