Kiki Hakansson, the first-ever winner of the Miss World beauty pageant, has breathed her last at the age of 95. She died in her sleep on Monday, November 4, at her home in California, according to her family.
She “went peacefully, comfortably, and well taken care of”, her family said in a statement.
The announcement was made on the official Instagram account of Miss World on Wednesday, November 6.
“The first Miss World, Kiki Hakansson from Sweden passed away peacefully on Monday, November 4th, at her home in California. She was 95. Kiki passed away in her sleep,” read the post.
Her son, Chris Andersen, described his mother as “real, kind, loving and fun”. Further, he noted that Hakansson had a "brilliant sense of humour and wit, and a big heart”.
Born on June 17, 1929, in Sweden, Hakansson won the Miss Sweden World pageant in 1951 and later she participated in the inaugural Miss World pageant.
She went on to win the contest at the age of 23 on July 29, 1951. The event was held at London's Lyceum Ballroom, now known as the Lyceum Theatre. Back then, the pageant was conceived as a one-time event tied to the Festival of Britain, ANI reported.
However, it eventually went on to become a global institution, with Kiki's victory marking the beginning of a legacy.
As per reports, the pageant at that time was named Festival Bikini Contest as its organiser, Eric Morley, wanted to advertise swimwear at the British festival.
Later on, when Morley decided to make it an annual event, bikinis were replaced with modest swimwear, thereby making Hakansson as the only titleholder to be crowned in a bikini.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to all of Kiki's family, sending our love and offering our prayers at this difficult time”, Julia Morley, chairperson and CEO of the Miss World Organization, said.
She added, “Kiki was a true pioneer and it was therefore fitting that Kiki would have her place in history in becoming the first 'Miss World'. We will continue through eternity to celebrate the memory of the first ever Miss World, Kerstin (Kiki) Hakansson, who is forever in our hearts”.
She “went peacefully, comfortably, and well taken care of”, her family said in a statement.
The announcement was made on the official Instagram account of Miss World on Wednesday, November 6.
“The first Miss World, Kiki Hakansson from Sweden passed away peacefully on Monday, November 4th, at her home in California. She was 95. Kiki passed away in her sleep,” read the post.
Her son, Chris Andersen, described his mother as “real, kind, loving and fun”. Further, he noted that Hakansson had a "brilliant sense of humour and wit, and a big heart”.
Born on June 17, 1929, in Sweden, Hakansson won the Miss Sweden World pageant in 1951 and later she participated in the inaugural Miss World pageant.
She went on to win the contest at the age of 23 on July 29, 1951. The event was held at London's Lyceum Ballroom, now known as the Lyceum Theatre. Back then, the pageant was conceived as a one-time event tied to the Festival of Britain, ANI reported.
However, it eventually went on to become a global institution, with Kiki's victory marking the beginning of a legacy.
As per reports, the pageant at that time was named Festival Bikini Contest as its organiser, Eric Morley, wanted to advertise swimwear at the British festival.
Later on, when Morley decided to make it an annual event, bikinis were replaced with modest swimwear, thereby making Hakansson as the only titleholder to be crowned in a bikini.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to all of Kiki's family, sending our love and offering our prayers at this difficult time”, Julia Morley, chairperson and CEO of the Miss World Organization, said.
She added, “Kiki was a true pioneer and it was therefore fitting that Kiki would have her place in history in becoming the first 'Miss World'. We will continue through eternity to celebrate the memory of the first ever Miss World, Kerstin (Kiki) Hakansson, who is forever in our hearts”.
(Edited by : Sudarsanan Mani)
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