Mary Zilba | |
---|---|
Born |
Toledo, Ohio, U.S. |
September 29, 1963
Education | Central Catholic High School |
Occupation |
|
Years active | 1986–present |
Television | The Real Housewives of Vancouver |
Children | 3 |
Website | maryzilba |
Musical career | |
Genres | |
Instruments | Vocals |
Labels | |
Mary Zilba is an American singer and television personality best known for her singing career in Canada and her reign as Miss Ohio (Miss America Pageant). She was one of the main cast members of The Real Housewives of Vancouver.
Mary Zilba was born in Toledo, Ohio and is of French and Lebanese ancestry, attended Central Catholic High School and is a graduate of the University of Toledo where she earned her degree in Journalism / Broadcasting. Zilba has been in the public spotlight nearly her entire life – she and her sister, Juliana, both held Miss Ohio titles.
After her Miss Ohio win in 1986, Zilba's career began in Ohio where she spent her early career working in television in broadcasting as a reporter and, later, becoming a television host and MC, hosting TV shows and events. Eventually, she moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida where she conceptualized, wrote and produced a popular travel series called Eye On Travel (unrelated to the web TV series with the same name). She later moved to Los Angeles, where she signed a music development deal. During this time she simultaneously began working in film and TV, landing commercials and a variety of film roles. She subsequently moved to Vancouver, British Columbia where she started her singing career.
In March 2012, it was announced that Zilba had signed on to appear in The Real Housewives of Vancouver. She appeared for 2 seasons before the shows cancellation was announced.
Musically, Mary Zilba has garnered over 7 Top 40 hits on Canadian Radio and most recently in 2013 her song, "HERO" went to #1 on the iTunes Charts in the United Kingdom. She has worked with some of the industry's elite songwriters and producers including pop writer, Diane Warren.
In 2014 Mary Zilba made history as she became the first ever soloist given permission by the Vatican to sing in the sacred Sistine Chapel since its erection in the 15th century Sistine Chapel 1st Violinist-Vocalist EVER Allowed To play since 1473
In March 2016, Zilba with the backing of Rosemary Siemens on piano, Eli Bennett, and Jessee Sukkau on vocals, recorded a single "#VancoUBER" and released it on YouTube as part of a growing desire to see Uber in Vancouver.