Vega was born in Barranquilla, Colombia. She is the daughter of cardiologist Rodolfo Vega Llamas and Laura Dieppa, and granddaughter of the legendary tenor Gastón Vega. She is also the granddaughter of Elvira Susana Castillo Gómez, Miss Atlántico 1953. Aside from her native Spanish, she knows English, German, and French.
Miss Colombia 2013[edit]
Vega competed in Miss Colombia 2013 on November 11, 2013 held in Cartagena,representing the Atlántico Department, where she won the title of Miss Colombia, gaining the right to represent the country at Miss Universe 2014. She was crowned by the outgoing titleholder Lucia Aldana, Miss Colombia 2012. Vega became the eleventh Miss Atlantico to win that title since The Miss Colombia pageant began in 1934, and the first Miss Atlantico to win Miss Universe, and the second Colombian to win Miss Universe after Luz Marina Zuluaga in 1958.
Miss Universe 2013, Gabriela Isler from Venezuela, crowned her as Miss Universe 2014 on January 25 , 2015, in Doral, Miami. Vega will debut the pageant's new crown as designed by Diamonds International Corporation, a Czech-based jeweler officially responsible for Miss Universe jewelry. Her prize package included cash, a year contract promoting Miss Universe , world travel, a rent-free luxury apartment in New York City, a gift bag stuffed with designer shoes, dresses and beauty products, a US$ 100.000 stipend for a two year course at The New York Film Academy, and free access to famous fashion houses and beauty parlors. Vega intends to spend her year-long reign travelling the world to lecture on humanitarian issues and to promote education regards HIV/AIDS.
After her crowning, Paulina was interviewed by CNN en Espanol, ABC, Rendezvous (Indonesia), Fox News, Univision, Caracol Television (Colombia), RCN Television (Colombia), Way Too Early with Thomas Roberts (MSNBC), Morning Joe (MSNBC), Today Show (NBC) and Live! with Kelly and Michael (ABC).[2]
In early February, Vega attended Mercedes Benz-New York Fashion Week in New York City together with Miss USA 2014 and Miss Teen USA 2014.[3]
On February 20, 2015 Vega visited Indonesia to attend the 19th annual Puteri Indonesia 2015 Pageant. She assisted in the crowning of Puteri Indonesia 2015 ( Miss Universe Indonesia).[4] She also visited Jakarta and Surabaya where she filmed a publicity for YOU•C1000 along with former Miss Universes, Dayana Mendoza and Olivia Culpo in Bali.
In early March she travelled to Doral, Florida, to attend The World Golf Championships at Trump Doral Golf Resort & Spa.
During her reign, she has traveled to Indonesia and will go to China, Colombia, Russia, United Arab Emirates [5] and numerous trips around the USA.