Diamond Riegal

Sparkling and Sincere

Not many people could live up to a name like Diamond. The word "diamond" represents class, glamour, uniqueness and genuine beauty. Diamond Riegal's sparkling personality displays all these characteristics with a story just as distinct.

A pillow on her bed reads, "A Goddess Lives Here" and a plaque in the closet displays her mantra, "Never, Never, Never Give Up." These two sayings encompass the true character of Diamond - self-assured, joyous and an attitude of perseverance. However, Diamond keeps another memento with her to remind her of a time when she was not the picture of confidence and poise that she is today: a photograph of herself in high school.

"When I look at myself in high school I see an unhappy girl. I was very pretty, but I never thought so. When I was 14, I went on a diet and lost 30 pounds. This turned everything around. The awareness that I could change things that I didn't like began on my own, even at the age of 14. Change has to come from within - you change because you want to, not because someone wants you to. I've never felt like I can't do something and that has gotten me where I am," Diamond said.

After marrying her first husband and giving birth to two children, Diamond took up belly-dancing to get her stomach back in shape. This hobby soon became a passion and led to a glamorous career in the entertainment industry of New York. She met her current husband while dancing at a party and later became the front-person for a band called Rhythm Ignition that performed at parties, weddings and special occasions.

Diamond's scrapbook of memories includes pictures of herself at parties thrown by celebrities such as Billy Joel, Howard Stern, and a letter from Sara Lee. Eventually her attention to detail and skills in production planning led her to a career in interior decorating. For several summers she and her husband lived on a boat off Fire Island, New York, where she spent time learning and training with many famous designers.

"I live by the words, 'your reach should exceed your grasp, or what's a heaven for?'.  Who would have thought that a chubby, Jewish girl from Brooklyn could accomplish all that I've accomplished? I've never had limits on what I would try to do. It doesn't mean I've always succeeded, but I've never been afraid to fail."

Twelve years ago Diamond decided to "retire" to the Lowcountry, where she found many new and exciting opportunities awaiting her. She began teaching belly-dancing, but had to quit several times due to severe back pains. Rather than letting the pain get her down, she instead began a business with her second passion, interior decorating. Now, at the age of 70, she is just as healthy and happy as she has always been. She has a contagious positive energy that simply radiates and a loving spirit of joy and understanding.

"I wouldn't change anything I've been through, even the bad, because without the bad you can't have an appreciation for the good. Even when the pain and trials of life were almost unbearable, I was thankful because I know it got me to where I am today, and now is the best place I've ever been."

 Last year, while dancing at a party in Sun City, she was approached with the idea of becoming the next Ms. Senior South Carolina. After some formalities and voting, it was decided that she would take the title in 2011. She will be crowned in May in North Carolina, then will compete in a pageant in October for the title of Ms. Senior America, where she will speak about her philosophy on life, and once again share her talent of belly-dancing.

"I agreed to the opportunity because it will give me the ability to help people in South Carolina by being a person of inspiration. I am researching organizations to partner with and am so excited about having such a phenomenal chance to make a difference. My goal in life has always been to help as many people as I can. I believe the key to health and a long life is a loving heart, and the love I have for people is completely real. There is selfishness in helping people because it makes me the happiest I could be."

Up Close:

Family: husband of 33 years, Michael; two children, Richard and Wendy; two step-children, Lisa and Darci; four grandchildren
Name given to her at birth: Irene Diamond. She was very close to her father, so when he died, she decided to take his last name as her first.
Most treasured possession: Robert Louis Stevenson's "A Child's Garden of Verses." She has had it since she was five years old and plans to be buried with it.
Professional decorating style: "I decorate for the person who's living in the home, with suggestions I know will work for them."
Dislikes: Anything ugly! Her house is a vision of beauty, from the decorated telephone to the stained-glass picture hiding the microwave.