Who is Deidre Downs Gunn? Former Miss Alabama, Miss America, weds girlfriend

Updated April 15, 2018 at 9:06 PM

Former Miss Alabama Deidre Downs after winning the Miss America crown in 2005. (AL.com file photo

By Leada Gore

Deidre Downs Gunn, the former Miss Alabama and Miss America turned physician, married her girlfriend in a Birmingham ceremony Saturday. The wedding comes just two years after Miss Missouri Erin O'Flaherty, 23, became the first openly gay woman to compete in the Miss America pageant.

Downs Gunn, 37, is a native of Pelham. She attended the University of Virginia on a volleyball scholarship before transferring to Samford University in Birmingham. Downs Gunn, who funded part of her education through more than $100,000 in scholarships earned at pageants, was a finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship in 2002.

Downs Gunn captured the Miss Alabama crown in 2004 before winning the Miss America title in 2005 after wowing the judges with her vocal rendition of "I'm afraid This Must be Love." Downs Gunn was only the third Miss Alabama to win the Miss America crown, following in the footsteps of Yolande Betbeze in 1951 and Heather Whitestone in 1995.

During her reign, she served as a spokesperson for CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation.

"It was surreal to stand on stage, on national television, and have my name called as Miss America and to walk the runway as they played, 'There She Is, Miss America.'" Downs Gunn said in 2014. "It is still surreal."

After her year as Miss America, Downs Gunn attended the University of Alabama School of Medicine in Birmingham, where she received her medical degree. According to her website, Downs Gunn is currently a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist specializing in reproductive endocrinology at UAB in Birmingham.

Downs Gunn married Andrew Gunn in 2008 and the couple had a son before divorcing. In April 2018, People magazine first reported Downs Gunn married her girlfriend, attorney Abbott Jones.

"Saying our vows in front of our family and friends and making that commitment to the love of my life was the most meaningful part of the day for me," she said.

The couple is already receiving congratulations on their news.

Gretchen Carlson
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@GretchenCarlson
Here’s to @deidredowns and @abbottjones celebrating their very special day as @MissAmericaOrg also starts our own celebration soon of 2.0 - stay tuned! #MissAmericaStrong #BeFierce https://twitter.com/people/status/985645878269677570 …

1:02 AM - Apr 16, 2018
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Gretchen Carlson
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@GretchenCarlson
Congratulations to former @MissAmericaOrg @deidredowns on her marriage! http://people.com/tv/former-miss-america-winner-deidre-downs-gunn-marries-abbott-jones/ …

12:11 AM - Apr 16, 2018

Former Miss America Winner Deidre Downs Gunn Marries Girlfriend in Romantic Southern Wedding
Former Miss America winner Deidre Downs Gunn tied the knot with attorney and writer Abbott Jones on Saturday

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