10 Lesser Known Facts About Miss Universe

Miss Universe is one of the most recognized and prestigious international beauty pageants. Along with the Miss World and Miss Earth contests, Miss Universe is one of the three largest beauty pageants in the world in terms of the number of national-level competitions. It was founded in 1952 by the California clothing company Pacific Mills. The logo for Miss Universe “The Woman with Stars” was created in 1998, that representing the beauty and responsibility of women in the Universe. Miss Universe is part of the Big Four international beauty pageants. The others are; Miss World, Miss International and Miss Earth. Let’s take a look at 10 lesser known facts about Miss Universe.

10. Win at Home Country

So far, there have been seven winners who won the crown on their home country. Out of which, six wins are held by USA. They are;

Miriam Stevenson – Miss Universe 1954 (3rd Edition),
Carol Morris – Miss Universe 1956 (5th Edition),
Linda Bement – Miss Universe 1960 (9th Edition),
Sylvia Hitchcock – Miss Universe 1967 (16th Edition),
Brook Lee – Miss Universe 1997 (46th Edition) and
Olivia Culpo – Miss Universe 2012 (61st Edition)

All in the USA representing USA. Whereas Puerto Rico’s Denise Quiñones won Miss Universe 2001 title (50th Edition) in Puerto Rico.

9. Youngest & Oldest Miss Universe

The oldest winner in the pageant’s history is USA’s Brooke Lee who won Miss Universe 1997 (46th Edition) at the age of 26 years and 128 days. While the youngest Miss Universe has been the very first winner of the pageant – Finland’s Armi Kuusela. Who won Miss Universe 1952 (1st Edition) at the age of 17 years and 303 days.

8. Tallest & Shortest Miss Universe

The Tallest winner in the pageant’s history has been Dominican Republic’s Amelia Vega, who won Miss Universe 2003. She measured a whopping 6’2”. Whereas the record for being shortest Miss Universe is held by two winners;

Columbia’s Luz Marina Zuluaga who won Miss Universe 1958 (7th Edition), and
Thailand’s Apasra Hongsakula who won Miss Universe 1965 (14th Edition).

Both measuring 5’4”.

7. Miss Universe to Be Crowned Next Year

Miss Universe 2014 (63rd Edition) is the first edition which did not take place in its corresponding year. The event will take place on January 25, 2015 in USA. A total of 88 delegates are expected to participate in the event. Thus, 2014 became the first year to not witness a Miss Universe pageant since its inception. This decision of skipping a year has sparked outrage and controversies among pageant fans.

6. Most Sub-Titles Won Miss Universe

Throughout the history of the pageant, there have been several winners, who beside winning and bringing home the crown, have won several sub-title awards.

Sweden’s Margareta Arvidsson – Miss Universe 1966 (15th Edition),
Philippines Maria Margarita Moran – Miss Universe 1973 (22nd Edition),
Trinidad& Tobago’s Janelle Commissiong – Miss Universe 1977 (26th Edition),
Puerto Rico’s Denise Quiñones who won Miss Universe 2001 (50th Edition).

They also won Miss Photogenic Award.

Whereas;

Thailand’s Porntip Nakhirunkanok – Miss Universe 1988 (37th Edition),
Trinidad & Tobago’s Wendy Fitzwilliam – Miss Universe 1998 (47th Edition),
Dominican Republic’s Amelia Vega – Miss Universe 2003 (52nd Edition).
Philippine’s Gloria Diaz – Miss Universe 1969 (48th Edition),
USA’s Chelsi Smith – Miss Universe 1995 (44th Edition),
Venezuela’s Alicia Machado – Miss Universe 1996 (35th Edition),
India’s Lara Dutta – Miss Universe 2000 (49th Edition),
Puerto Rico’s Denise Quiñones – Miss Universe 2001 (50th Edition),
Russia’s Oxana Fedorova – Miss Universe 2002 (51st Edition),

They all also won The Best In Swimsuit Award.

Venezuela’s Alicia Machado – Miss Universe 1996 (35th Edition), and
Puerto Rico’s Denise Quiñones – Miss Universe 2001 (50th Edition)

They also won Best Style Award.

USA’s Carol Ann Laverne Morris who won Miss Universe 1956 (5th Edition) also won Most Popular Girl In Parade Award.

5. Decade Winners Miss Universe

In the 1950s, USA won two crowns;

Miriam Stevenson won Miss Universe 1954 (3rd Edition), and
Carol Morris won Miss Universe 1956 (5th Edition).

In the 1960s, two countries achieved double wins – USA and Brazil;

Linda Bement (USA) won Miss Universe 1960 (9th Edition), and
Sylvia Hitchcock (USA) won Miss Universe 1967 (16th Edition), whereas
Iêda Maria Vargas (Brazil) won Miss Universe 1963 (12th Edition), and
Martha Vasconcellos of Brazil won Miss Universe 1968 (17th Edition).

In the 1970s, no country achieved any such feat.

In 1980s, Venezuela won two crowns;

Irene Sáez won Miss Universe 1981 (30th Edition) and
Bárbara Palacios won Miss Universe 1986 (35th Edition).

In the 1990s, USA for the third time achieved this feat.

Chelsi Smith won Miss Universe 1995 (44th Edition), and
Brook Lee won Miss Universe 1997 (46thth Edition).

In the 2000s; There were two countries again who achieved this feat – Puerto Rico and Venezuela .

Denise Quiñones (Puerto Rico) won Miss Universe 2001 (50th Edition)
Zuleyka Rivera (Puerto Rico) won Miss Universe 2006 (55th Edition),
Dayana Mendoza (Venezuela) won Miss Universe 2008 (57th Edition),
Stefanía Fernández (Venezuela) won Miss Universe 2009 (58th Edition).

4. Consecutive Winners Miss Universe

Venezuela created history in 2009 by becoming the first and so far the only country in the world to win Miss Universe crown consecutively back to back. Venezuela’s Dayana Mendoza won Miss Universe 2008 (57th Edition) and she crowned Venezuela’s Stefanía Fernández who won Miss Universe 2009 (58th Edition). >> 10 Most Beautiful Women in USA.

3. Most and Least Number of Delegates

Miss Universe 2011(60th Edition) and Miss Universe 2012 (61st Edition) recorded the highest number of delegates. Both witnessing 89 delegates from across the globe. Angola’s Leila Lopes won the crown in 2011 while USA’s Olivia Culpo won the crown in 2012. Miss Universe 1953 (2nd Edition) witnessed the least number of delegates participating with 26 nations. The winner that year was France’s Christiane Martel.

Miss Universe 2017 witnessing the highest number of delegates 93. Miss Universe 2017 winner is South African Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters.

2. Longest Gap Between Winning

Japan holds the record for the longest gap between two wins. So far, Japan has won the crown twice. The first time happened when Akiko Kojima became Miss Universe 1959 (8th Edition). The next and second time after 48 years, when Riyo Mori became Miss Universe 2007 (56th Edition). Now that’s what we call a wait. See also; Top 10 Most Attractive Chinese Women.