ILONA KUELI COREA was the first-born of Henri and Claire Corea.  Born on the 11th of May 1940, she received her education at Good Shepherd Convent in Nuwara Eliya, Good Shepherd Convent, Kotahena and Bishop's College, Colombo.

Ilona excelled in Ballet and Elocution and was later in life, a  Licentiate in Speech and Drama. She was also involved in the dubbing of the film `Little Bike Lost’, produced by Fr. Noel Cruze.

A keen and talented horsewoman, she won consistently in her class at the annual Police Horse Gymkhana and the mini gymkhanas held regularly by the Colombo Horse Club. She was drawn into the world of fashion and design and was one of the first models, under Kirthi Sri Karunaratne.

She was a teacher at her Alma Mater, Good Shepherd Convent in Nuwara Eliya, and later, a Relief Announcer at the then Radio Ceylon.

Ilona Corea passed away in 2012.