Mary Zilba

Mary Zilba was born in Toledo, Ohio, and is of Lebanese^[3] and Syrian ancestry,^[4] she attended Central Catholic High School^[3] and is a graduate of the University of Toledo^[5] where she earned her degree in Journalism / Broadcasting. Zilba and her sister, Juliana, both held Miss Ohio titles.^[6][7]

After her Miss Ohio win in 1986, Zilba's remained in Ohio where she spent her early career working in broadcasting as a reporter and, later, becoming a television host and MC. She later moved to Los Angeles, where she signed a music development deal. During this time, she began her short lived career in film and TV. She subsequently moved to Vancouver, British Columbia and would appear as a main cast member of The Real Housewives of Vancouver.

Musically, Mary Zilba has garnered some Top 40 hits on Canadian Radio. In 2013 her song, "HERO", went to #1 on the iTunes "Country Music" Charts and #47 over all in the United Kingdom.^[8][9]

In 2014, Mary Zilba sang in the sacred Sistine Chapel.^[10][8]

In March 2016, Zilba, with the backing of Rosemary Siemens on piano, Eli Bennett, and Jesse Sukkau on vocals, recorded a single "#VancoUBER" and released it on YouTube as part of a growing desire to see Uber in Vancouver.^[11]

Born and raised in Ohio, Zilba has six brothers and sisters, and is a mother to three sons; Cole, Chase, and Chad. Cole is a recent graduate of UCLA; Chase attends Santa Monica college and is a working musician. Chad is a model/actor attending school in Los Angeles.^{[citation needed]}

Zilba's son, Cole Anderson, ran as the BC Liberal Party candidate in the Vancouver-Kingsway electoral district during the 2020 British Columbia general election.^[12]