1951 MISS WORLD IN SWEDEN: Kiki Håkansson
Miss World 1951 was the first Miss World pageant, held at the Lyceum Ballroom in London, United Kingdom, on 27 July 1951. The contest was originally intended to be a one-off event connected with the Festival of Britain. Twenty-seven contestants from seven countries participated in this year’s pageant. The pageant was hosted by Eric Morley. The decade of the 1950s began, and Europe was just beginning to rise after World War II.
In Britain, people slowly returned to normal. Herbert Morrison, a member of the British parliament, began planning the centennial celebration of the 1851 Great Exhibition. In the summer of 1951, the “Festival of Great Britain” was finally born, and it was located in Central London, on the banks of the River Thames. The Lyceum Ballroom, located half a mile from the South Bank where the Festival of Great Britain was being held, belonged to Mecca Dancing.
Being so close to the headquarters of the Festival of Great Britain, Mecca Dancing was asked by the event’s organizers if they could contribute in any way to the Festival. Eric Morley was the Publicity Sales Manager of Mecca Dancing, responsible for finding innovative ideas for the Festival. He wanted to create some activity or event that would attract attention, not only to young people but to people of all ages.
This is how he suggested creating an international beauty pageant and proposed it to the organizers. Morley’s suggestion was accepted, and the planning of the first Miss World pageant was in full swing. He saw how the Bikini fashion was popular and decided that the contest would show beautiful women wearing that tiny garment. Initially, the event would be called “Girl Bikini Contest of the Festival of Great Britain,” but due to its international character and after the comment of some journalists, Morley decided to call it “Miss World” after making sure that name had not been previously used or patented.
The first Miss World contest would be held that summer of 1951, being one of the last events of the Festival of Great Britain. Twenty-seven contestants from seven countries were selected to compete in the pageant, which included twenty-one from the United Kingdom. This edition marked the debuts of Denmark, France, Holland, Mexico, Sweden, the United Kingdomand the United States. Originally, there were thirty contestants competing in the pageant, but Mary Akroyd and two other married ladies decided not to show up due to their husbands’ objection to showing themselves wearing bikinis before the eyes of other men.
Kerstin Margareta ” Kiki” Håkansson (23 July 1929 – 4 November 2024) was a Swedish model and beauty queen who was the first winner of the Miss World beauty pageant. Originally, the Festival Bikini Contest, Miss World was organized by Eric Morley as a mid-century advertisement for swimwear at the Festival of Britain. Håkansson was a photo and fashion model when she was crowned Miss Sweden World in 1951 and subsequently won the London pageant.
Håkansson wore a bikini during the crowning ritual, after which she was condemned by Pope Pius XIIand some countries with strong religious traditions threatened to withdraw delegates. In 1952, bikinis were banned from the pageant and replaced with more modest swimwear. While they were eventually reintroduced to Miss World, Håkansson remains the only winner to have received her crown while wearing one. Håkansson declined an Italian film contract and an American modelling contract and continued her modelling career in Europe, working for the Comité français de l’élégance. She studied French couture sewing and judged several beauty pageants.
She married Dallas Anderson, an American sculptor whom she met when he was studying in Europe; after nine years in Copenhagen, they moved to the United States, where Håkansson retired from modelling and Anderson became a faculty member at Brigham Young University in Utah. Håkansson and her husband had three children. She died in her sleep on 4 November 2024 in California, at the age of 95.
1952 MISS WORLD IN SWEDEN: May-Louise Flodin
Miss World 1952 was the second Miss World pageant, held at the Lyceum Ballroom in London, United Kingdom, on 14 November 1952. At the end of the event, May-Louise Flodin of Sweden was announced as Miss World 1952. It was the first back-to-back victory in Miss World. During the announcement of winners, Flodin was only awarded a trophy and a bouquet. The special award was given to Eva Maria Hellas of Finland, being the award of the 3rd Runner-Up.
As the 4th Runner-Up, there were no winners announced to be given as the 4th Runner-Up later. But one day, Tally Richards of the United States was accepted for the offer to use of 4th Runner-Up as the winner. Eleven contestants from ten countries participated in this year’s pageant, the smallest number of contestants in the history of the pageant. The pageant was hosted by Eric Morley.
Eleven contestants from ten countries were selected to compete in the pageant. One contestant was invited to compete again to even out the number of contestants, while two contestants were appointed to replace the original winner. Elisabeth van Proosdij was set to represent Holland at Miss World. However, van Proosdij chose to get married during her reign. Therefore, Sanny Weitner, first runner-up at Miss Holland 1951, was appointed as the representative of Holland at Miss World. After promoting the competition with twelve contestants, Morley thought of inviting Miss Britain 1951, Marlene Ann Dee, to complete the twelve contestants in this edition.
This edition marked the debuts of Finland, West Germany, Ireland, and Switzerland. Belgium was also set to debut this year; however, Anne-Marie Pauwels refused to part from her boyfriend during the contest, leading to her disqualification. Thus, only eleven contestants competed in the finals. Leila Teresa Tuma of Syria did not compete due to political tensions.
May-Louise Flodin was born on September 5, 1934, in Stockholm, Sweden. Coming from a supportive family, she grew up with strong values and a passion for fashion and elegance. During her youth, May-Louise pursued modeling and displayed an innate talent for grace and poise.
Her dedication and charm soon led her to the world of beauty pageants. Representing Sweden, May-Louise participated in the second Miss World competition held in London in 1952. Her natural elegance and confident personality made her a standout among contestants from around the world. On November 14, 1952, May-Louise Flodin was crowned Miss World 1952 at the Lyceum Ballroom in London. Her win marked Sweden’s second consecutive victory, solidifying the country’s early dominance in the competition. After her reign, May-Louise continued her modeling career and became a respected figure in the fashion industry.
She also devoted time to philanthropic efforts, using her platform to promote social causes. May-Louise embraced family life, balancing her personal and professional commitments. Her journey as a Miss World winner inspired many young women in Sweden and beyond. She died on 4th February 2011 at the age of 76 in Stockholm, Sweden. May-Louise Flodin’s victory reinforced the global significance of the Miss World pageant, showcasing that beauty combined with purpose and integrity can leave a lasting impact. Her story remains a beacon of inspiration for future generations.
1953 MISS WORLD IN FRANCE: Denise Perrier
Miss World 1953 was the third Miss World pageant, held at the Lyceum Ballroom in London, United Kingdom, on 19 October 1953. At the end of the event, Denise Perrier of France was announced as Miss World 1953. This is the first and so far, only victory of France in the history of the pageant. Perrier was also the first Miss World winner to wear a Miss World sash. Contestants from fifteen countries participated in this year’s pageant.
The pageant was hosted by Eric Morley. Fifteen contestants were selected to compete in the pageant. One contestant was appointed to represent her country after being a runner-up in her national pageant, while one contestant was appointed to replace the original winner. Miss Egypt 1953, Antigone Costanda, supposedly competed in this edition. However, due to undisclosed reasons, she was replaced by her first runner-up, Marina Papaelia. Costanda eventually competed in the following edition and won, where she dedicated her win to Papelia by shouting “Viva, viva, Marina Papaelia”.
Since Miss France 1953, Sylviane Carpentier chose not to compete in Miss World and Miss Universe to get married, two separate pageants were selected to send French representatives to Miss World and Miss Universe. The Miss Cinémonde pageant was in charge of selecting the French representative to Miss Universe, while the organizers of the French Committee of Elegance were in charge of selecting the French representative of Miss World. Denise Perrier was eventually chosen as the representative of France to Miss World, while Christiane Martel was chosen as the representative of France to Miss Universe. Both won their respective international pageants.
This edition marked the debuts of Ceylon, Egypt, Greece, Israel, Monte-Carlo, and Norway. Mary Murphy of Ireland withdrew after failing to arrive in London, despite being expected, due to an illness that occurred shortly before her planned travel to the contest. Sepia Degehet of Belgium supposedly competed in the pageant, but withdrew due to the controversy her predecessor, Anne-Marie Pauwels, made in the pageant. She was only sent to Miss Europe. Marcella Mariani of Italy supposedly competed as well, but withdrew in order to focus on her acting career.
Lore Felger of Austria and Leyla Saroufin of Lebanon also supposedly competed, but withdrew due to a lack of sponsors.
Denise Perrier (born February 13, 1935) is a French actress, former model, and beauty queen who won Miss World 1953.
She now goes by “Denise Perrier Lanfranchi.” She remains the only French woman to have won the Miss World title. Denise Perrier was born and grew up in the French town of Ambérieu-en-Bugey. Her father was a gendarme. Her family moved to French Indochina and returned to France before the 1954 Geneva Conference. When she was 18 years old, the director of the casino of Saint-Raphaël invited her to compete in the Miss Saint-Raphaël beauty pageant contest that was taking place the same night.
She won the contest and moved on to participate in the Miss France contest. Denise Perrier was crowned Miss France World 1953 by Miss France World 1952, Nicole Drouin. She represented France in the Miss World 1953 pageant. Perrier was chosen as Miss World during that year’s pageant, representing France, the same year that Christiane Martel of France also won the Miss Universe pageant. She was the first French woman to win this title.
She met Julia Morley and they became close friends. Perrier has also acted in films. Her most memorable scene is an uncredited appearance in the 1971 James Bond film, Diamonds Are Forever. In the scene, after a little persuasion from James Bond, who starts throttling her with the top of her bikini, she gives up and reveals the location of the villain of the film. She has stated she asked Sean Connery to go a little rough on her to make the strangling look more believable, and he complied. After leaving her modelling career, Perrier became active in local government in her native France.
She held three municipal mandates in the list of Jacques Médecin, then the Mayor of Nice. She was one of the judges at the 2005, 2010, 2011, and 2013 Miss World contests.
1954 MISS WORLD IN EGYPT: Antigone Costanda
Miss World 1954 was the fourth Miss World pageant, held at the Lyceum Ballroom in London, United Kingdom, on 18 October 1954. At the end of the event, Denise Perrier of France awarded her successor Antigone Costanda of Egypt as Miss World 1954.
This is the first and so far, only victory of Egypt in the history of the pageant. Contestants from sixteen countries participated in this year’s pageant. The pageant was hosted by Eric Morley. Sixteen contestants were selected to compete in the pageant.
Two contestants were appointed to represent their countries after being a runner-up in their national pageants. First runner-up of Miss Italy 1954, Cristina Fanton, was appointed to represent Italy after Miss Italy 1954, Eugenia Bonino, was involved in an accident. Second runner-up of Miss France 1954, Claudine Bleuse, was appointed to represent France after Miss France 1954, Monique Lambert, chose not to fly to London to compete in Miss World.
This edition marked the debut of Belgium, Italy, and Turkey, and the return of Ireland, which last competed in 1952. Malka Rozenblat of Israel withdrew after Israeli organizers discovered that she was married. Although married contestants are allowed to compete, Israel did not allow married titleholders to represent their country internationally.
Mona Stornes of Norway withdrew after choosing to get married in the United States. Monte-Carlo withdrew from the competition after its respective organization failed to hold a national competition or appoint a delegate.
Antigone Costanda (born 1934) is a Cypriot-Egyptian designer, model, and beauty queen who won Miss World 1954. The pageant took place on October 18, 1954, in London, England, with the participation of 16 contestants. Born in Nicosia, Cyprus, in addition to Arabic, Costanda is fluent in Greek, English, Italian, and French.
The Cypriot-Egyptian beauty was the first Miss Egypt candidate to win the title of Miss World for Egypt. According to Eric Morley’s 1967 book, “The Miss World Story”, Costanda was positively beaming as she claimed that her victory was also for the Miss World 1953 second runner-up status of Marina Papaelia, also from Egypt. The following year, during the 1955 Miss World beauty pageant held in London, Costanda did not attend the event because of political hostilities between Egypt and Britain over the Suez Canal.
British actress Eunice Gayson crowned Miss Venezuela, Miss Venezuela, as the new Miss World. Before winning Miss World, Costanda was gaining experience in the modelling profession and was appearing in numerous publications. Winning Miss World further helped her to reach the top of her profession, becoming a successful model in the Middle East, France, Italy, and Greece. Her career in later years moved into interior design. She ran a company designing the interior of business buildings. She was one of the judges at the Miss Egypt 2006 contest.
1955 MISS WORLD IN VENEZUELA: Susana Duijm
Arepa is called “Reina Pepiada”. She lived in Margarita Island, Venezuela. Miss World 1955 was the fifth Miss World pageant, held at the Lyceum Ballroom in London, United Kingdom, on 20 October 1955. At the end of the event, English actress Eunice Gayson crowned Susana Duijm of Venezuela as Miss World 1955.
This is the first victory of Venezuela in the history of the pageant. Miss World 1955, Antigone Costanda of Egypt, did not attend due to hostilities between Egypt and the United Kingdom over the Suez Canal. Contestants from twenty-one countries participated in this year’s pageant. The pageant was hosted by Eric Morley. Twenty-one contestants were selected to compete in the pageant. Two contestants were appointed to represent their countries after being a runner-up in their national pageants.
First runner-up of Miss Suomi 1955, Mirva Arvinen, was appointed to represent Finland after Miss Suomi 1955, Inga-Britt Soderberg, won Miss Europe. With the withdrawal of the original Miss Australia 1955, Shirley Bliss, two candidates were chosen to represent Australia at Miss World: Miss Victoria, Beverley Prowse of Melbourne, and Miss South Australia, Pat Doran of Adelaide. To choose who would compete in Miss World, a London newspaper held a poll for its readers, and the readers chose Prowse as the Australian representative to Miss World.
This edition marked the debut of Australia, Austria, Cuba, Honduras, Iceland, and Venezuela, and the returns of Israel and Monte-Carlo, which last competed in 1953.
Yolanda Cristina Gigliotti of Egypt withdrew due to the dispute between the United Kingdom and Egypt over the Suez Canal. Switzerland and Turkey withdrew after their respective organizations failed to hold a national competition or appoint a delegate. Lorna McLeod of Alaska and Barbara Mamo Vieira of Hawaii were supposed to participate in this edition. However, they were unable to participate due to financial issues.
Carmen Susana Duijm Zubillaga (August 11, 1936 – June 18, 2016) was a Venezuelan actress, TV host, model, and beauty queen who was crowned Miss Venezuela 1955 and competed at Miss Universe 1955, placing in the top 15. She then went to compete at Miss World 1955 and won, becoming the first Venezuelan and Hispanic/Latin American woman to win the Miss World crown. Before competing in Miss World, Duijm was a semi-finalist at Miss Universe 1955.
She won the 1955 Miss World pageant, representing Venezuela. The pageant was held in London, United Kingdom. Her success as a beauty queen led to a career as an actress and a presenter on Venezuelan television. Thanks to her, there is one until 2016 when she died. Her daughter Carolina Cerruti was the official representative of Venezuela to the 1983 Miss World pageant held in London, on November 17, 1983.
1956 MISS WORLD IN GERMANY: Petra Schürmann
Miss World 1956 was the sixth Miss World pageant, held at the Lyceum Ballroom in London, United Kingdom, on 15 October 1956. At the end of the event, Susana Duijm of Venezuela crowned Petra Schürmann of West Germany as Miss World 1956. This is the first victory of West Germany in the history of the pageant.
The announcement of the winner led to some confusion during the ceremony. Initially, Betty Lane Cherry of the United States was mistakenly announced as the winner when she received the winner’s sash. However, it was later clarified that she was the first runner-up. In response to the mix-up, she stated, “Two seconds don’t make one first.”Contestants from twenty-four countries participated in this year’s pageant. The pageant was hosted by Eric Morley. Lyceum Ballroom, venue of Miss World 1956.
Selection of participants. Twenty-four contestants were selected to compete in the pageant. This edition marked the debut of Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, South Africa, and Tunisia, and the returns of Egypt, Switzerland, and Turkey, which last competed in 1954. Maureen Kistle of Australia withdrew after deciding to make her trip to London in December, leaving her without the financial support to return in October before her national title was awarded.
As a result, Eric Morley sent a letter to Australian newspapers seeking a replacement for Kistle, but none emerged. Marcia Rodríguez of Cuba did not participate for undisclosed reasons. Ceylon, Honduras, and Monte-Carlo withdrew after their respective organizations failed to hold a national competition or appoint a delegate.
Petra Schürmann-Freund 15 September 1933 – 14 January 2010) was a German actress, model, TV announcer, and beauty queen who won Miss World 1956. Schürmann was an announcer for the Bayerischer Rundfunk in the 1960s. Schürmann grave in 2010, Schürmann won the 1956 Miss World in 1956, representing West Germany.
As of 201,2, she is the only German to win this title, except Gabriella Brum, who won the title in 1980 but resigned one day later. The pageant was held in London, United Kingdom. Schürmann finished only third in the Miss Germany pageant, but was chosen to represent her country in London because of her better knowledge of English. At that time, Schürmann was studying philosophy and the history of the arts at the universities of Bonn and Cologne. After winning her Miss World title, she continued her studies in Munich.
Beginning with the 1960s, Schürmann entered an ongoing radio and television career, primarily with the Munich-based Bayerischer Rundfunk. She also did some acting and wrote several books. In 1973, Schürmann married the physician Dr. Gerhard Freund (1922–2008), who, under a veil of secrecy, had fathered their daughter Alexandra in 1967.
This was at a time when he was still wed to German actress Marianne Koch. Alexandra Freund also had a successful career with the Munich broadcaster but died in 2001, aged 34, from an automobile accident when she collided with a wrong-way driver. Schürmann never fully recovered from the loss of her daughter, with whom she was very close. From 2003 until her death, she was involved in an intimate relationship with Felix Raslag, CEO of a biotech company in Munich, who was 35 years her junior.
Schürmann retired in 2006 with her husband to their house on the shores of Lake Starnberg, south of Munich. When he died in August 2008, they had been married for 35 years. She died on 14 January 2010 in her home in Starnberg following a long illness.
1957 MISS WORLD IN FINLAND: Marita Lindahl
Miss World 1957 was the seventh Miss World pageant, held at the Lyceum Ballroom in London, United Kingdom, on 14 October 1957. At the end of the event, Petra Schürmann of West Germany crowned Marita Lindahl of Finland as Miss World 1957. This is the first victory of Finland in the history of the pageant. Contestants from twenty-three countries participated in this year’s pageant. The pageant was hosted by Eric Morley. Twenty-three contestants were selected to compete in the pageant. One contestant was appointed to represent her country after being a runner-up in her national pageant. Miss Holland 1957, Corine Rottschäfer, was supposed to compete in this edition.
However, since she had already won Miss Europe, she was replaced by her first runner-up, Christina van Zij, to compete in Miss World. Rottschäfer later competed at Miss World 1959 and won. This edition marked the debut of Canada and Luxembourg, and the return of Australia, which last competed in 1955.
Zubaida Tharwat of Egypt and Yvonne Bridel of Switzerland did not participate due to budget constraints. Tharwat also withdrew from the competition due to the dispute between the United Kingdom and Egypt over the Suez Canal.
Leyla Sayar of Turkey did not participate for undisclosed reasons. New Zealand withdrew after its respective organization failed to hold a national competition or appoint a delegate. Monica Amekoafia of Ghana was supposed to participate, but chose to get married. Alicja Bobrowska of Poland withdrew from the competition for undisclosed reasons.
Marita Lindahl (17 October 1938 – 21 March 2017) was a Finnish model and beauty queen who won Miss World 1957, after being crowned Miss Finland 1957 by Miss Finland 1956, Sirpa Helena Koivu. She became the first woman from Finland to win the title and the third Nordic woman, after Sweden had won the first two contests. The pageant was held in London, England. Lindahl was described by pageant director Eric Morley as having “the haunting beauty and intrigue of a Greta Garbo”.
The first runner-up was Lilian Madsen from Denmark, the second runner-up was Adele Kruger from South Africa, and the third runner-up was Jacqueline Tapia from Tunisia. Lindahl ran one of the most popular restaurants in Helsinki. Later, she moved to England. She lived in Oxford. Lindahl died on March 21, 2017, of a heart attack at the age of 78.
1958 MISS WORLD IN SOUTH AFRICA: Penelope Anne Coelen
Miss World 1958 was the eighth edition of the Miss World pageant, held at the Lyceum Ballroom in London, United Kingdom, on 13 October 1958. At the end of the event, Marita Lindahl of Finland crowned Penelope Anne Coelen of South Africa as Miss World 1958. This is the first victory of South Africa and the second victory of Africa in the history of the pageant. Contestants from twenty countries participated in this year’s pageant.
The pageant was hosted by Eric Morley. Twenty contestants were selected to compete in the pageant. One contestant was appointed to represent her country in this edition after contracting an illness from the previous edition. Miss Belgium 1958, Michele Gouthals, was scheduled to represent her country in this edition. However, she was unable to participate in the competition because her organization appointed Miss Belgium 1957, Jeanne Chandelle, to represent Belgium once again because she contracted the Asian Flu during the Miss World 1957 pageant and only showed up on the day of the coronation. This edition marked the debut of Brazil, and the returns of Turkey, which last competed in 1953, and Norway last competed in 1954.
Hanni Ehrenstrasser of Austria withdrew after winning Miss Europe 1958, making her ineligible to compete at Miss World. Elisabeth Schubel-Auer was set to replace Ehrenstrasser, but did not push through for undisclosed reasons. Leila Saas of Egypt withdrew for financial reasons. Pirkko Mannola of Finland, Hjördís Sigurvinsdóttir of Iceland, Lydie Schmit of Luxembourg, and Denise Orlando of Tunisia withdrew for undisclosed reasons. Australia withdrew after its organization failed to hold a national competition or appoint a candidate. Janet Ohene-Agyei Boateng of Ghana was supposed to compete, but withdrew due to financial constraints. Krystyna Żyła of Poland was supposed to compete as well, but was barred by her government from competing.
She was eventually found dead in December 1958.
Penelope Anne Coelen (born 15 April 1940) is a South African former actress, model, and beauty queen who won Miss World 1958. She was the second major international titleholder to come from Africa. Penelope Anne Coelen was from Durban and attended Durban Girls’ High School.
In the 1958 Miss World pageant, a total of 22 contestants from Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Africa competed in the finals. Europeans dominated the semi-finals, but Penelope Anne Coelen, an 18-year-old secretary who played piano in the talent competition, was selected for the crown. She gained widespread international attention during her reign and received several lucrative modelling offers. The South African designer of her gowns, Bertha Pfister, also gained increased attention.
After her reign as Miss World 1958, she tried her luck in Hollywood with the help of James Garner, but failed her screen test. She later managed her own line of clothing and endorsed beauty products, particularly perfumes. She appeared as a contestant on the television game show To Tell the Truth on 25 November 1958. She celebrated the 2014 Miss World win of South Africa’s Rolene Strauss, and gave public appearances with the younger woman.
Coelen returned to South Africa and married wealthy sugarcane farmer Michel “Micky” Rey from the Natal Province. They raised five sons. She ran a guesthouse, worked as a beauty consultant, and gave lectures. Her son Nicholas Rey died in 2016, twelve years after he was severely injured in a polo accident. The Nicholas Rey Foundation Trust, founded in 2007, is named in his memory. Her husband, Micky Rey, died in 2019.
1959 MISS WORLD IN NETHERLANDS: Corine Rottschäfer
Thirty-seven contestants were selected to compete in the pageant. Three contestants were appointed to represent their countries after being a runner-up in their national pageants. Runner-up of Miss Maple Leaf 1959, Huguette Demers, was appointed to represent Canada after Miss Maple Leaf 1959, Irene Dobler, relinquished her title in order to marry.
First runner-up of Miss Norway 1959, Berit Grundvig, was appointed to represent her country after Miss Norway 1959, Jorunn Kristjansen, became first runner-up at Miss Universe 1959. Miss Holland 1957, Corine Rottschäfer, was appointed to represent her country after Miss Holland 1959, Peggy Erwich, withdrew due to her modeling commitments.
This edition marked the debut of Argentina, Ghana, Gibraltar, Hawaii, Hong Kong, India, Jamaica, Jordan, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Rhodesia and Nyasaland, South Korea, and Uruguay, and the return of Honduras, which last competed in 1955; and Austria, Finland, Iceland, and Luxembourg last competed in 1957. Raymonde Valle of Morocco and Figen Özgür of Turkey withdrew for undisclosed reasons. Venezuela withdrew after its respective organization failed to hold a national competition or appoint a delegate.
Habiba Bent Abdallah of Tunisia was supposed to compete, but withdrew from the competition due to financial constraints.
Corine Spier-Rottschäfer (8 May 1938 – 24 September 2020) was a Dutch model and beauty queen who won the Miss World 1959 contest, representing the Netherlands. She was the first woman from her country to win the title. The pageant was held in London, United Kingdom. Rottschäfer was born on 8 May 1938 in Hoorn.
Before winning the Miss World title, Rottschäfer also won Miss Europe in the year 1957. She also participated in the Miss Universe pageant in the year 1958, where she reached the top 15 and won the Miss Photogenic award. At the Miss World 1959 pageant, a few hours before the announcement of the winner, Corine discovered holes in her evening dress.
Miss Israel, Ziva Shomrat, was kind enough to lend her an evening dress, and it so happened that Corine was adjudged the winner and Miss Israel finished third in the competition. In 196,2, she married architect and later politician Edo Spier. In 1964, after a successful international career in modeling, she founded the model agency Corine’s Agency in Amsterdam, which was the first professional model agency in the Netherlands.
The agency ran into trouble because that kind of job placement wasn’t allowed at the time. Rottschäfer appealed her case all the way to the Supreme Court and forced the law to be changed. She ran the agency until her retirement in 2002. She is the second cousin of Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2012, Bodine Koehler. She died on 24 September 2020.
1960 MISS WORLD IN ARGENTINA: Norma Gladys Cappagli
Miss World 1960 was the tenth Miss World pageant, held at the Lyceum Ballroom, London, United Kingdom, on 8 November 1960. At the end of the event, racing driver Stirling Moss, one of the judges, crowned Norma Cappagli of Argentina as Miss World 1960.
This is the first victory of Argentina in the history of the pageant. Contestants from thirty-nine countries and territories participated in this year’s pageant. The pageant was hosted by Bob Hope, while Peter West provided commentary throughout the competition. Lyceum Ballroom, venue of Miss World 1960. Thirty-nine contestants were selected to compete in the pageant. Three contestants were appointed to represent their countries after being a runner-up in their national pageants.
Diane Medina was appointed to represent France after Yolanda Biecosai withdrew from the competition for undisclosed reasons. First runner-up of Miss United States 1960, Judith Ann Achter was appointed to represent her country after it was discovered that Annette Driggers, the original winner, was married and was only fifteen years old.
Third runner-up of Miss Holland 1960, Carina Verbeek, was appointed to represent her country as Miss Holland 1960. Ans Schoon was abroad when the registration forms arrived. This edition marked the debut of Bolivia, Burma, Cyprus, Ecuador, French Polynesia, Kenya, Lebanon, Madagascar, Nicaragua, Spain, and Tanganyika, and the return of Australia, which last competed in 1957, and Turkey, which last competed in 1958.
Luise Kammermair of Austria chose not to participate in the competition after becoming a runner-up at Miss Europe 1960. Comfort Kwamena of Ghana withdrew after choosing to make her flight to London in August 1960 instead of November of the same year. Judith Willoughby of Jamaica, Lena Woo of Hong Kong,
Mercedes Ruggia of Paraguay, Maricruz Gómez of Peru, and Maria Josebate Silva Santos of Portugal withdrew for undisclosed reasons. Gibraltar and Puerto Rico withdrew after their respective organizations failed to hold a national competition or appoint a delegate. Marinka Polhammer of Chile, Marilyne Escobar of Morocco, Lorraine Nawa Jones of New Zealand, and Elaine Maurath of Switzerland are all set to compete in this edition, but all withdrew for undisclosed reasons.
Norma Gladys Cappagli, born on 20 September 1939, was an Argentine model and beauty queen who won the 1960 Miss World contest, after she was run over by a bus in Buenos Aires. She was 81. The former beauty queen was placed in intensive care and kept in an induced coma, but later died.
Norma was 21 years old when she won the Miss World crown in London in November 1960, becoming the first from Argentina to capture a major international beauty pageant title. After her reign, Norma worked as a model. She also recorded the song “Sexy World,” which was featured in the TV show Velvet. At the end of the 60s, she moved to Milan with her Italian husband and worked as a journalist for Men’s Bazaar magazine. She also lived in Rio de Janeiro until she went back home to Argentina in 1989.
Until her accident, she had been living in the neighborhood of Recoleta with her cat, and she was well known for her love of animals.” She had plans, she wanted to travel to Punta del Este in 2021 with my other aunt if the coronavirus stuff was sorted out,” her niece Carla Cappagli said in an interview.