Anecdotes

Was shot in the head at the age of twelve in her parents' car in a parking lot when the drivers of two cars behind them got into a gun-fight. The bullet missed hitting her brain by one millimeter.

She was married civilly in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, on 12 February 1987 and religiously in Carejes, Mexico, on 27 February 1987 to Carl Eduard von Bismarck (Carl-Eduard Otto Wolfgang Jayme Anders Graf von Bismarck-Schönhausen), and although they divorced, she still retains the title of Gräfin.

Former professional tango dancer. Was also a social worker in India at 18 years old.

In 1985 she became the first Latina to win the Miss USA title. She was the first of five consecutive Miss Texas winners who, from 1985 through 1989, went on to become Miss USA.

She wore a $25,000,000 necklace and $1,000,000 heels to the 2002 Academy Awards, surrounded by four bodyguards. (2002)

Prior to entering show business, Laura thought about becoming a gemologist.

Her maternal grandfather, Isauro Cairo, was a Mexican equestrian and fencing champion (1954).

Former great-great-granddaughter-in-law of Otto von Bismarck.

Daughter of Raymond Harring, a developer and organic Mexican farmer of Austrian and German descent, and his wife, María Martínez Cairo, a Mexican spiritual teacher, and sister of Rita Harring. Her mother subsequently married Gastón Lima and had a daughter, Ana María Lima.

Former niece by marriage of Gunilla Gräfin v. Bismarck.

Former sister-in-law of Gottfried von Bismarck.