Personal Details :
- Full Name: Geena Rocero
- Date of Birth: May 29, 1983
- Place of Birth: Manila, Philippines
- Nationality: Filipino-American
- Ethnicity: Asian (Filipina)
- Gender Identity: Transgender woman
- Pronouns: She/Her
- Height: Approximately 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
- Hair Color: Brown
- Eye Color: Brown
- Sexual Orientation: Not publicly disclosed
- Languages Spoken: English, Tagalog
- Current Residence: New York City, United States
- Profession: Model, TED Speaker, LGBTQ+ Rights Advocate, Author
- Years Active: 2002–present
- Known For: First transgender model to come out on a TED Talk stage (2014), Founder of Gender Proud
- Citizenship: Naturalized U.S. Citizen
Social Media Presence :
- Instagram: @geenarocero
- Twitter: @GeenaRocero
- Facebook: Geena Rocero
Career Overview :
Geena Rocero began modeling in the Philippines, entering transgender beauty pageants at age 15 and later being discovered by a fashion photographer in New York City when she was around 21—it led to her signing with NEXT Model Management and modeling internationally in beauty and swimsuit editorials.
In March 2014, she publicly came out as a trans woman during her TED Talk titled “Why I Must Come Out,” which has since been viewed millions of times and translated into over 30 languages. That same year, she founded Gender Proud, a media production company focused on trans visibility and storytelling.
Geena expanded into producing impactful media: she served as executive producer of the Logo digital series “Beautiful As I Want To Be” (2015) and produced award-nominated documentaries with PBS including the Emmy- and GLAAD Media–nominated series Caretakers (2021).
Her modeling milestones include gracing covers and editorials for outlets like Harper’s Bazaar (2016, with Tracey Norman), Playboy (Playmate of the Month, August 2019; first trans AAPI Playmate of the Year in 2020), Candy magazine, and campaigns for brands such as Rimmel and CoverGirl.
Geena is also a prominent public speaker and activist, addressing audiences at the White House, UN, State Department, World Economic Forum, CNN/HLN’s ASPIREist, and the Milken Institute global conference while serving on advisory boards like SeeHer.
In 2023, she released her memoir Horse Barbie, which received critical acclaim, was named a SELF Book Club pick, and earned recognition as a 2023 Now Awards honoree in Literature by them. magazine.
Personal Life & Interests :
Geena Rocero was born on May 29, 1983, in Manila, Philippines. She was assigned male at birth but identified as female from a young age. By the time she was 15, she was competing in transgender beauty pageants in the Philippines, which she has described as a formative and empowering part of her early life.
She immigrated to the United States when she was 17 and later became a naturalized U.S. citizen. She lived in San Francisco before settling in New York City, where she began her professional modeling career.
Geena came out publicly as a transgender woman during her TED Talk in 2014, becoming a visible advocate for trans rights globally. She has been very open about her gender identity and transition journey, using her platform to push for equality, dignity, and recognition for the trans community worldwide.
Outside of her professional work, Geena is passionate about storytelling, writing, and advocacy. She founded the media production company Gender Proud, which promotes the representation of trans people in media and aims to advance gender justice through creative storytelling.
She is also an avid reader, traveler, and public speaker. In 2023, she published her memoir Horse Barbie, in which she details her personal journey from the pageant stage in Manila to global visibility as a model and activist. She continues to champion the intersection of identity, migration, and gender liberation.
Net Worth :
There are no publicly available reliable estimates for Geena Rocero’s net worth. Financial databases and celebrity net‑worth sites do not list her.
Her income streams include her international modeling career, TED talks, book publications (including her memoir *Horse Barbie*), produce/media work at Gender Proud, and consulting or speaking engagements.
Summary: Geena Rocero’s net worth is not documented in public records—any numerical estimates would be speculative.
Awards & Achievements :
- Glamour “Woman of the Year” (2023): Recognized among outstanding women effecting change globally.
- Them Now Awards (2023) – Literature: Honored for her memoir Horse Barbie.
- SELF Well‑Read Book Club Pick (June 2023): Horse Barbie selected as a featured title.
- Playboy Playmate of the Year (2020): First transgender woman—and first AAPI—to receive this recognition.
- Gold House A100 “A1 Award” (2023): Named one of the most impactful Asian‑Pacific Islander leaders.
- SeeHer Advisory Board Member: Joined the board advocating gender‑bias‑free media.
- Top 25 Transgender Persons Who Influence Culture (TIME): Included among leading global trans voices.
- Courage of Conviction Award (TOFA‑NY, 2014): Honored for her advocacy work in New York’s Filipino‑American community.
- PBS & GLAAD‑nominated/award‑winning producer: Executive produced Beautiful As I Want To Be (2015) and Caretakers (2021).
Fun Facts :
- Geena Rocero was crowned transgender beauty queen in the Philippines before starting her modeling career in the U.S.
- She is the first trans woman to come out during a TED Talk, which went viral globally in 2014.
- She chose the title of her memoir, Horse Barbie, based on a nickname she was given as a young pageant contestant.
- Geena became a naturalized U.S. citizen after immigrating from the Philippines at age 17.
- She was the first transgender Asian-American Playmate of the Month for Playboy (August 2019) and later Playmate of the Year (2020).
- In addition to modeling and advocacy, she’s a documentary producer and has worked with PBS and Logo TV.
- She speaks fluent English and Tagalog and often blends both in her public speaking to connect with diverse audiences.
- She is passionate about visibility and storytelling as tools for social justice and trans empowerment.
- Geena has addressed audiences at the United Nations, the White House, and global conferences on human rights and gender equality.
- She loves fashion, pageantry, and activism equally—and has never stopped competing in style and spirit.