Kylene Barker

Kylene Barker from Galax, Virginia, was Miss America 1979.

After her year of service, Kylene opened D. Kylene Ladies Apparel on Worth Avenue in Palm Beach, Florida which she owned and operated for 13 years. She signed a ten year lease at the age of 23. Several corporations and associations, including the Manmade Fiber Producer’s Association, Clairol, The Palm Aire Spa and the Made in the USA Council, chose Kylene to be their spokesperson. Drawing from her experience as a writer, producer and editor of her own segments on the Today Show, Kylene has produced fashion shows for the American Yarn Spinners Association, the America Textile Manufacturers Association, and companies associated with the Crafted with Pride Council.

Her television appearances have included frequent reports for NBC’s Today Show, CNN’s Crossfire (for a debate on issues surrounding the Miss America Competition), and Live with Regis and Kathy Lee. Articles about Kylene have appeared in publications such as Newsweek, People, Time, USA Today, The New York Times, WWD and the cover of Travel and Leisure magazine.

Winning the Miss America title as an acrobatic dancer, Kylene believes that fitness and beauty go hand in hand with fashion. Her keen observations as Miss America plus her experience from her Palm Beach boutique were the fuel to write Southern Beauty, A Total Fitness and Beauty Program for That All American Winning Look. She has also released her own exercise album, “Stamina With Style.”

In the Early 90’s Kylene decided to trade the business world for the golf course and became an avid golfer with her Canadian husband Ralph Hibbard. Widowed in 2002, she is now married to another Canadian, Ian McNeill. "We flew in a private jet to the Miss America 2007 pageant in Las Vegas with friends from Naples, Fl. And surprised them with our wedding. And no, we didn't invite Elvis."

Kylene resides between cottage country called the "Muskokas" in Canada and Naples, Florida.