Vanessa Richardson

Oscar met Riva at a car show in November of 2012, shortly after returning from the London Olympics. They both had mutual friends who thought they'd be a good match. They got to talking, and Oscar asked Riva to be his date to an awards ceremony later that evening. From that day on, they were inseparable. Like Oscar, Riva Steenkamp was born and raised in South Africa.

Oscar met Riva at a car show in November of 2012, shortly after returning from the London Olympics. They both had mutual friends who thought they'd be a good match. They got to talking, and Oscar asked Riva to be his date to an awards ceremony later that evening. From that day on, they were inseparable. Like Oscar, Riva Steenkamp was born and raised in South Africa.

Growing up, she had dreams of becoming a lawyer and set her sights on making that a reality. Around the age of 15, though, Riva was scouted by an agent who told her she had a lot of potential for a successful modeling career. Riva took it as a golden opportunity. Now she could make money modeling and put herself through law school. Riva did just that.

Growing up, she had dreams of becoming a lawyer and set her sights on making that a reality. Around the age of 15, though, Riva was scouted by an agent who told her she had a lot of potential for a successful modeling career. Riva took it as a golden opportunity. Now she could make money modeling and put herself through law school. Riva did just that.

Growing up, she had dreams of becoming a lawyer and set her sights on making that a reality. Around the age of 15, though, Riva was scouted by an agent who told her she had a lot of potential for a successful modeling career. Riva took it as a golden opportunity. Now she could make money modeling and put herself through law school. Riva did just that.

After graduating from high school, she began her studies in law at Nelson Mandela University. She even knew what her focus would be, advocacy for women who were suffering from domestic violence and abuse, an issue that was rampant in South Africa. Between 2011 and 2012, the country had the highest occurrence of sexual assaults worldwide, according to the U.S. State Department.

After graduating from high school, she began her studies in law at Nelson Mandela University. She even knew what her focus would be, advocacy for women who were suffering from domestic violence and abuse, an issue that was rampant in South Africa. Between 2011 and 2012, the country had the highest occurrence of sexual assaults worldwide, according to the U.S. State Department.

After graduating from high school, she began her studies in law at Nelson Mandela University. She even knew what her focus would be, advocacy for women who were suffering from domestic violence and abuse, an issue that was rampant in South Africa. Between 2011 and 2012, the country had the highest occurrence of sexual assaults worldwide, according to the U.S. State Department.

This issue was also personal to Riva. She herself had reportedly struggled with an abusive partnership during her college years. But while in her last year of law school, a bad accident temporarily altered the course of Riva's life. She was thrown from a horse and crushed two of her vertebrae. For six weeks, Riva was hospitalized, uncertain whether she would ever be able to walk again.

This issue was also personal to Riva. She herself had reportedly struggled with an abusive partnership during her college years. But while in her last year of law school, a bad accident temporarily altered the course of Riva's life. She was thrown from a horse and crushed two of her vertebrae. For six weeks, Riva was hospitalized, uncertain whether she would ever be able to walk again.

This issue was also personal to Riva. She herself had reportedly struggled with an abusive partnership during her college years. But while in her last year of law school, a bad accident temporarily altered the course of Riva's life. She was thrown from a horse and crushed two of her vertebrae. For six weeks, Riva was hospitalized, uncertain whether she would ever be able to walk again.

While Reva eventually made a full recovery, it changed her perspective on life. It taught her that life was worth fighting for, but it was also too short not to do what truly makes you happy. So while Reva still graduated from law school at the top of her class, she also realized she wanted to make modeling a priority, at least for the time being.

While Reva eventually made a full recovery, it changed her perspective on life. It taught her that life was worth fighting for, but it was also too short not to do what truly makes you happy. So while Reva still graduated from law school at the top of her class, she also realized she wanted to make modeling a priority, at least for the time being.

While Reva eventually made a full recovery, it changed her perspective on life. It taught her that life was worth fighting for, but it was also too short not to do what truly makes you happy. So while Reva still graduated from law school at the top of her class, she also realized she wanted to make modeling a priority, at least for the time being.

This accident was almost certainly something Reva and Oscar bonded over. you

This accident was almost certainly something Reva and Oscar bonded over. you

This accident was almost certainly something Reva and Oscar bonded over. you

Even before meeting Oscar, Reva knew her good looks wouldn't carry her over the finish line. She needed something to fall back on, something that wasn't reality TV appearances and KFC commercials, but instead skills she could enact later in life.

Even before meeting Oscar, Reva knew her good looks wouldn't carry her over the finish line. She needed something to fall back on, something that wasn't reality TV appearances and KFC commercials, but instead skills she could enact later in life.

Even before meeting Oscar, Reva knew her good looks wouldn't carry her over the finish line. She needed something to fall back on, something that wasn't reality TV appearances and KFC commercials, but instead skills she could enact later in life.