Gilson represented Ireland in the Miss Hawaiian Tropic in 2002 in Oahu and went on to win the title for Europe. Her success secured widespread international exposure, as she appeared in the pages of Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire and Company and Ireland's own VIP. Gilson made two guest appearances in Katherine Lynch's Wonderwomen.
Presenting
In 2006, Gilson embarked on a presenting career, appearing as the face of Irish music channelBubble Hits hosting the news and entertainment show Glenda's Showbiz Gossip. She presented Xposé from 2008 until its cancellation in 2019. In March 2008, she appeared as a contestant on the RTÉreality show, Celebrity Bainisteoir. In 2012, Gilson appeared as a contestant on the TV3 reality show, Celebrity Salon. In December 2017, Gilson was announced as the host of Ireland's Got Talent companion-series Ireland's Got Mór Talent alongside social media star, James Kavanagh. Glenda and James returned for a second and final series in 2019. In 2020, Gilson participated in the fourth season of the Irish edition of Dancing with the Stars. Gilson and her professional partner, Robert Rowiński, were eliminated on 26 January 2020.
Legal difficulties
Gilson and her brother Damien could face jail after consistently refusing to comply with court orders in relation to the liquidation of their car company. Justice Mary Finlay Geoghegan said in May 2011 that Ms Gilson and her brother are “not compliant” with the rules and described the situation as “extremely serious” and “the motion for attachment and committal still stands.” In 2012 Gilson was revealed to be a tax defaulter. On 14 September 2012 she was named on the Revenue list of tax defaulters as having been required to pay €73,000 including interest and penalties. In April 2015 she was in the Irish High Court to block attempts, by the liquidator of a company where she was a non-executive director, to impose certain restriction on her from acting as a company director for a period of five years.
Personal life
Gilson is a niece of former Fianna Fáil politician Liam Lawlor, who died in a car accident in Russia in October 2005. She was at one stage involved in a high-profile relationship with Irish rugby captain Brian O'Driscoll. In the Brian O'Driscoll book The Test: My Autobiography, he says that he received some playful teasing over the relationship from his teammates. In August 2014, Gilson married Dublin businessman Rob MacNaughton at St Senan's Church in KilrushCounty Clare. Gilson and MacNaughton honeymooned in the US and Mexico. She later revealed that Irish actor Liam Cunningham ate some of her wedding decorations In February 2015 she revealed in an interview with the RTÉ Guide that she is now ready to start a family. In October 2018, Gilson gave birth to a son, Bobby. In May 2020, she announced that was expecting her second child.
