Miss Universe is an annual international beauty pageant that is run by the United

States–based Miss Universe Organization.[1] It is one of the most watched pageants in

the world with an estimated audience of over 500 million viewers in over 190
territories.[2][3] Along with Miss World, Miss International, and Miss Earth, Miss Universe
is one of the Big Four international beauty pageants.[4]
The Miss Universe Organization and its brand are currently owned by
the WME/IMG talent agency.[5] Telemundo has the licensing rights to air the pageant for
the next 5 years.[6] The pageant's advocacy is "humanitarian issues and is a voice to
affect positive change in the world."[7][8]
The current Miss Universe is Andrea Meza of Mexico who was crowned by Zozibini
Tunzi of South Africa at the Miss Universe 2020 pageant on 16 May, 2021
in Hollywood, Florida.

Contents

• 1History
• 2Contestant selection
• 3Main pageant
o 3.1Final judgment
• 4Crowns of Miss Universe
o 4.1Gallery of Miss Universe crowns
• 5Recent titleholders
o 5.1Gallery of winners
• 6Miss Universe Organization
o 6.1Miss Universe Organization titleholders
o 6.2Gallery
• 7In other media
• 8See also
• 9References
• 10External links

History

Miss Universe sash since 2001

The title "Miss Universe" was first used by the International Pageant of Pulchritude in
1926. This contest was held annually until 1935, when the Great Depression and other
events preceding World War II led to its demise.
The current Miss Universe pageant was founded in 1952 by Pacific Knitting Mills,
a California-based clothing company and manufacturer of Catalina Swimwear. The
company was the sponsor of the Miss America pageant until 1951, when the
winner, Yolande Betbeze, refused to pose for publicity pictures wearing one of their
swimsuits. In 1952, Pacific Knitting Mills organized the Miss USA and Miss Universe
pageants, co-sponsoring them for decades to follow.
The first Miss Universe Pageant was held in Long Beach, California in 1952. It was won
by Armi Kuusela from Finland, who gave up her title, though not officially, to get
married, shortly before her year was completed.[9] Until 1958, the Miss Universe title, like
that of Miss America, was dated by the year following the contest, so at the time Ms.
Kuusela's title was Miss Universe 1953. Since its founding by Pacific Mills, the pageant
has been organized and conducted by the Miss Universe Organization. Eventually,
Pacific Mills and its subsidiaries were acquired by the Kayser-Roth Corporation, which
was in turn acquired by Gulf and Western Industries.
The pageant was first televised in 1955. CBS began broadcasting the combined Miss
USA and Miss Universe pageants in 1960, and as separate contests in 1965. More than
30 years later, Donald Trump bought the pageant in 1996 from ITT Corp, with a
broadcasting arrangement with CBS until 2002.[10] During this time, in 1998, Miss
Universe, Inc. changed its name to the Miss Universe Organization, and moved its
headquarters from Los Angeles to New York City.[11][12] By late 2002, Trump entered into
a joint venture with NBC,[1][13] which in 2003 outbid the other markets for the TV
rights.[14] From 2003 to 2014, the pageant was broadcast in the United States on NBC.
In June 2015, NBC cancelled all business relationships with Trump and the Miss
Universe Organization in response to controversial statements about illegal immigrants
who crossed the border from Mexico.[15][16] As part of the legal settlement, in September
2015, Trump bought out NBC's 50% stake in the company, making him the company's
sole owner. Three days later, he sold the whole company to WME/IMG.[17][18] Following
the change of ownership, in October 2015, Fox and Azteca became the official
broadcasters of the Miss Universe and Miss USA pageants.[19] The current president of
the Miss Universe Organization is Paula Shugart, who has held this position since
1997.[20]
During the CBS telecast era, John Charles Daly hosted the Miss Universe Pageant from
1955 to 1966, Bob Barker from 1967 to 1987, Alan Thicke in 1988, John Forsythe in
1989, Dick Clark from 1990 to 1993, Bob Goen from 1994 to 1996, and Jack Wagner in
1998 and 1999. During the NBC telecast era, Billy Bush hosted the Miss Universe
Pageant from 2003 to 2005 and 2009, Andy Cohen in 2011 and 2012, and Thomas
Roberts in 2013 and 2014. Daisy Fuentes, Nancy O'Dell, Mel B and Natalie Morales are
currently the only females to have hosted the event multiple times (from 2002 to 2004,
2005 and 2006, 2008 and 2013, and from 2010 to 2011 and 2014, respectively).
During the Fox telecast era from 2015 to 2019, Miss Universe was hosted annually
by Steve Harvey. The backstage correspondents include Roselyn Sanchez in
2015, Ashley Graham from 2016 to 2018, Olivia Culpo in 2019. In 2020, the Miss
USA and Miss Teen USA brands were split from the Miss Universe Organization into
their independent organization, run by Crystle Stewart, while the broadcast rights to the
Miss Universe Pageant was split between Telemundo and FYI. Mario Lopez returned as
host in 2020 (alongside Culpo) after hosting for NBC in 2007.
Contestant selection
Main article: List of Miss Universe countries
To gain participation in Miss Universe, a country needs a local company or person to
buy the local rights of the competition through a franchise fee. The fee includes the
rights of image, brand and everything related to the pageant. Often the owner of the
franchise returns the franchise to the Miss Universe Organization, which resells it to a
new stakeholder. The reselling of the franchise from one owner to the next is recurrently
common in the history of the event, sometimes for contractual breaches or financial
reasons. The number of participants is inconsistent because of the franchising of the
pageant paired with problems related to the calendar.
Usually a country's candidate selection involves pageants in the nation's local
subdivisions, where local winners compete in a national pageant, but there are some
countries who opt for an internal selection. For example, from 2000 to 2004, Australian
delegates were chosen by a modeling agency. Although such "castings" are generally
discouraged by the Miss Universe Organization, Jennifer Hawkins was chosen to
represent the country in Miss Universe in 2004 (where she would eventually win the
crown). When Australia resumed its national pageant in the following year, Michelle Guy
became Miss Universe Australia 2005.
Recent countries that became involved in the pageant since the 2010s decade
include Gabon and Lithuania (2012), Azerbaijan (2013), Sierra
Leone (2016), Cambodia, Laos and Nepal (2017), Armenia, Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia (
2018), Bangladesh and Equatorial Guinea (2019), Cameroon (2020). Nepal is the most
recent newcomer to place in the semifinals in Miss Universe after making into the Top
10 in 2018, while Botswana remains the most recent first-time entry to ever win Miss
Universe on its debut year (in Mpule Kwelagobe in 1999), and Angola is the most recent
country to obtain its first ever national win in Miss Universe (in Leila Lopes in 2011).
Cultural barriers in the swimsuit competition have prevented some countries from
participating, while others like Mozambique have not participated because of the
prohibitive cost of the event. The Miss Universe has historically proven popular in
regions like the Americas, Africa and Asia, especially in countries
like U.S.A., Colombia, Brazil, Venezuela, South
Africa, Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand, all of which have appeared in the semifinals
multiple times in the last decade.
As of 2021, only two countries have been present at every Miss Universe since its
inception in 1952: Canada and France. Since its inception, Miss Universe strictly
prohibits age fabrication, and all contestants are not allowed to be pregnant throughout
the entire competition (and for winners, up to their reign). This posts a problem,
however, for several European countries, which allow 17-year-old contestants to
compete in their pageants. Since Miss Universe's minimum age is 18, national
titleholders often have to be replaced by their runners-up or another candidate. In recent
years, virtually all Miss Universe candidates are required to be at least university degree
holders or working professionals from their onset of stints in their national pageants.
Beginning in 2012, openly transgender women were allowed to compete, as long as
they won their national pageants.[21] Six years after this rule went into effect, Angela
Ponce of Spain became the first openly transgender candidate to compete in the
contest, in the 2018[22] edition. In 2019, Swe Zin Htet became the first
openly lesbian woman to compete in Miss Universe. Spain's Patricia Yurena
Rodríguez is currently the highest-placed LGBT member at Miss Universe, placing
second to Venezuela's Gabriela Isler in 2013, but did not come out until years after the
competition.[23][24][25][26]

Main pageant
Throughout the history of Miss Universe, the main contest has varied widely in terms of
annual scheduling, though it has consistently been held over a two-week period in the -
ber months of the year since 2017. From the 1970s through the 1990s, the pageant was
a full month long, allowing time for rehearsals, appearances, and the preliminary
competition, with the winner being crowned by the previous year's titleholder during the
final competition.
According to the organizers, the Miss Universe contest is more than a beauty pageant,
though they are expected to participate in swimsuit and evening gown competitions.
Women aspiring to become Miss Universe must be intelligent, well-mannered, and
cultured. If a candidate is unable to perform well during the question and answer round,
she is often eliminated.
Normally, the placements of the finalists are determined by a ranked vote, where each
judge ranks each of the final candidates (3 in 2019), with the contestant posting the
lowest cumulative score (thus often, but not necessarily always, the contestant with the
most number one votes) becoming the winner. If there is a tie, the higher semifinal
scores become decisive. In the previous editions, the results of the preliminaries are
cleared for the final and the competition resumes with the finalists.
The winner then signs a contract with the Miss Universe Organization that can last from
seven to eighteen months and becomes the Miss Universe of the year of the
competition in question (the contests for 2014, 2016 and 2020 were held in 2015, 2017
and 2021, respectively). In some years the competition is advanced or delayed. The
new Miss Universe takes office immediately and takes on a public cause in which she
becomes the ambassador for a year to spread messages about the control of diseases,
peace, and public awareness of AIDS (though the organization's more recent
humanitarian works have included various causes such as the rights of women, people
of color and the LGBTQ+ community). Aside from the job, the winner also receives a
cash allowance for her entire reign, a New York Film Academy scholarship, a modeling
portfolio, beauty products, clothes, shoes, as well as styling, healthcare, and fitness
services by different sponsors of the pageant. She also gains exclusive access to
events such as fashion shows and opening galas, as well as access to casting calls and
modeling opportunities throughout New York City. Between 1996 and 2015, the winner
is given the use of a Trump Place apartment in New York City during her reign, which
she shares with the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA titleholders.[27]
If the winner, for any reason, cannot fulfill her duties as Miss Universe, the 1st runner-up
takes over. This protocol has happened only once as of 2021, when Panama's Justine
Pasek succeeded Russia's Oxana Fedorova as Miss Universe in 2002 after the latter's
dethronement later that same year. Aside from the main winner and her runners-up,
special awards are also given to the winners of the best National Costume, Miss
Photogenic, and Miss Congeniality. The Miss Congeniality award is chosen by the
delegates themselves. In recent years, Miss Photogenic has been chosen by popular
internet vote (the winner used to be chosen by media personnel covering the event).
Final judgment
All the contestants compete in a preliminary round of judging (called the "Preliminary
Competition") where the field is narrowed to a select number of semifinalists. This
number has fluctuated over the years. The first Miss Universe pageant had ten
semifinalists. For the next two years, the number of semifinalists grew to 16. In 1955,
the number dropped to a stable 15, which remained through 1970. In 1971, the number
was reduced to 12. That number was further reduced to 10 in 1984. This lasted
until 2003, when the contest reinstated the Top 15. This selection continued to be the
norm until 2015, except in 2006 and 2011 to 2013. In 2006, 2018 and 2019, there are
20 semifinalists (with 2018 currently featuring the most competing contestants overall).
The group was expanded to 21 semifinalists in 2020, the highest number of spots in the
first cut so far in the pageant's history.
From 2011 to 2013, there were 16 semifinalists, 15 chosen by judges and one chosen
through Internet votes. In the 2016 edition, there were 13 semifinalists - 12 chosen by
judges panel during the evaluation phase period to the preliminary night and one
chosen by Twitter and Vodi app. In 2017, 16 semifinalists were selected from 4 different
groups each hailing from a different region in the world - Africa & Asia-Pacific, Europe,
The Americas - and a wild card group (which was composed of all the other candidates
who did not qualify in their respective continental competitions. In this group, there was
also the Miss Internet). In 2018 and 2019, this number rose from 4 to 5, totaling 20
semifinalists. In the 2020 edition, the regional selection was removed. 20 semifinalists
were chosen by judges and 1 through Internet votes on the Miss Universe
and Lazada app, totaling 21 semifinalists (highest number of spots in the first cut so far
in the pageant's history). The last time (before 2020) there was no regional selection
was in 2016.
In the early years, the contestants were judged in swimsuit and evening gown only. The
contestants are also judged based on on a variety of issues that vary from posture at
events or interviews to your presence on social networks. The summit of the contest is
the grand televised final that is held each year in a different international city, in which
the semifinalists are known and progressively advance to the final stage of the
questions. In this last stage, the runners-up are named and the winner is crowned as
the new Miss Universe. Prior to the coronation night, the contestants also compete in a
preliminary interview round in a one-on-one meeting with each individual judge (mostly
closed-door sessions). The live interviews round for the semifinalists became a
separate segment in 2001, and was reinstated to introduce the semifinalists between
2016 and 2019.
The 2018 edition marked the first time that the Miss Universe pageant included the live
opening statements after the semifinalists have been announced, to be included in the
overall results in determining the winner of the competition. The 2019 edition marked
the first (and so far, only) time ever in Miss Universe pageant's history that the
remaining finalists are required to deliver their live closing statements, to be included in
the overall results, right before the announcement of the winner of the competition.

Crowns of Miss Universe

The crown of Miss Universe has changed nine times over the course of its 67-year
history.[28]

• Romanov Imperial Nuptial Crown (1952) as the first

crown, was previously owned by the now-defunct Russian
monarchy. It was used by Armi Kuusela in 1952.[28]
• Romanov Diadem Crown or Metal Bronze Crown (1953)
— When Christiane Martel of France became Miss
Universe 1953, the nuptial crown was replaced by a
metallic bronze crown. She was the only Miss Universe
titleholder to wear this crown.[28]
• Star of The Universe (1954–1960) — This crown was
used from 1954 to 1960. It was named as such due to the
star shape at the top of the crown. It is made up of
approximately 1,000 Oriental cultured and black pearls set
in solid gold and platinum and only weighed 1.25 pounds. It
was insured for US$500,000.[28]
• Lady Rhinestone Crown or Coventry Crown (1961–
2001) — This crown was purely made from rhinestones,
debuting in 1961 as part of the 10th anniversary of the Miss
Universe pageant. Only Marlene Schmidt from Germany
and Norma Nolan from Argentina wore this crown.[28] In
1963, renowned jeweler Sarah Coventry reinvented the
rhinestone crown which featured a female figure (holding a
scepter) as its main centerpiece. The cheaper cost of its
rhinestone design made it possible to create exact replicas
of the crown to be given to outgoing titleholders. The
design was slightly modified in 1973 for the wearer's
convenience, and was dubbed as The Lady Crown. This
was used until 2002, when Denise Quinones became its
last crown holder before relinquishing her role as Miss
Universe, and the Mikimoto Pearl company accepted the
offer to sponsor a commemorative crown for the Miss
Universe Organization during the same year's 50th overall
edition for the pageant.[28]
• Mikimoto Crown (2002–2007; 2017–2018) — used from
2002 to 2007 for the 50th commemorative anniversary of
 the Miss Universe organization, this crown was designed
by Tomohiro Yamaji for the Mikimoto Company, the official
jewel sponsor of the Miss Universe Organization. The
crown depicted the phoenix rising, signifying status, power
and beauty, as stipulated in their sponsorship deal. The
crown has 500 natural colorless diamonds of almost 30
carats (6.0 g), 120 South Sea and Akoya pearls, ranging in
size from 3 to 18 mm diameter and is valued at
US$250,000.[28] The crown was designed for the pageant on
Mikimoto Pearl Island in Japan with the Mikimoto crown
and tiara being first used for Miss Universe 2002, which
was unveiled by former proprietor Donald Trump.[29] Among
pageant connoisseurs, the Mikimoto crown is reputedly the
most sought among beauty title holders, before finally
being retired for use after Catriona Gray became the last
Miss Universe winner to ever use the crown on her reign
until 2019.
• CAO Crown (2008) — In 2008, Dayana
Mendoza of Venezuela was crowned with a tiara designed
by a tandem of Rosalina Lydster and Dang Kim Lien
of CAO Fine Jewelry. The crown was valued at
US$120,000, was made of an 18 karat combination of
white and yellow gold and composed of over 1,000
precious stones, including 555 white diamonds (30 carats),
375 cognac diamonds (14 carats), 10 smoky quartz
crystals (20 carats) and 19 morganite gemstones (60
carats). The yellow lustre of the gold represents the
prosperous thriving economy in Vietnam as symbolized by
a Vietnamese Crane heron. However, Mendoza declined to
use this crown and thus insisted on the Mikimoto crown
when she crowned her compatriot, Stefanía Fernández as
her successor.
• Diamond Nexus Crown (2009–2013) — From 2009 to
2013, Diamond Nexus Labs made the Miss Universe
crown. The crown is set with 1,371 gemstones, weighing a
total of 416.09 carats (83.218 g). It contains 544.31 grams
of 14k and 18k white gold as well as platinum.[citation needed] The
crown features synthetic rubies to represent Miss
Universe's HIV/AIDS education and awareness platform.
Diamond Nexus Labs is the first ever eco-friendly Official
Jeweler of Miss Universe and was selected as part of NBC
Universal's "Green is Universal" initiative.[30][31]
• DIC Crown (2014–2016) — From 2014 to 2016, Paulina
Vega, Pia Wurtzbach, and Iris Mittenaere were decorated
with the DIC Crown, estimated to be worth US$300,000
and produced by Czech company Diamonds International
 Corporation (DIC).[32][33] The whole production process took
approximately four months and required the work of ten
artisans. The crown is reminiscent of the Manhattan
Skyline and is composed of 311 diamonds, 5 pieces of
blue topaz, 198 pieces of blue sapphire, 33 pieces of
heat—fired crystals, and 220 grams of 18k karat white gold.
The grand total weight of the crown is 411 grams. This
crown was retired in 2017 due to a copyright infringement
and subsequent payment issues between DIC and the Miss
Universe Organization.[34]
• Mouawad Power of Unity Crown (2019–present) — On
December 5, 2019, the new jeweler of the Miss Universe
Organization, Mouawad Jewelry, revealed the Mouawad
Crown that is estimated to be worth US$5 million, making it
the world's most expensive beauty pageant crown on
record.[35] The crown consists of Golden Canary Diamond
that weighs 62.83 carat. According to Pascal Mouawad, the
crown symbolizes Ambition, Diversity, Community, and
Beauty.[36]
Gallery of Miss Universe crowns
•

The Romanov Imperial Nuptial Crown, as worn by Miss Universe

1952, Armi Kuusela

The Coventry Lady Rhinestone Crown, as worn by Miss Universe

1968, Martha Vasconcellos
 •

The Mikimoto Crown as worn by Miss Universe 2005, Natalie Glebova

The CAO Crown as worn by Miss Universe 2008, Dayana Mendoza

The Diamond Nexus Crown as worn by Miss Universe 2011, Leila

Lopes

The Diamond International Corps Crown, as worn by Miss Universe

2014, Paulina Vega
 •

The Mouawad Power of Unity Crown as worn by Miss Universe

2019, Zozibini Tunzi

Recent titleholders
For full list and details, see List of Miss Universe titleholders.

Number
National
Edition Country Titleholder Venue of Competition of
Title
Entrants

Mexicana Hollywood,
2020 Mexico Andrea Meza 74
Universal Florida, United States

South Miss South Atlanta, Georgia, United

2019 Zozibini Tunzi 90
Africa Africa States

Binibining
2018 Philippines Catriona Gray Bangkok, Thailand 94
Pilipinas

Las
South Demi-Leigh Miss South
2017 Vegas, Nevada, United 92
Africa Nel-Peters Africa
States

2016 France Iris Mittenaere Miss France Manila, Philippines 86

Gallery of winners
•
 Miss Universe 2020
Andrea Meza
Mexico

Miss Universe 2019

Zozibini Tunzi
South Africa

• Miss Universe 2018

Catriona Gray
Philippines

Miss Universe 2017

Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters
South Africa

Miss Universe 2016

Iris Mittenaere
France
 •

Miss Universe 2015

Pia Wurtzbach
Philippines

Miss Universe 2014

Paulina Vega
Colombia

Miss Universe 2013

Gabriela Isler
Venezuela

Miss Universe 2012

Olivia Culpo
United States
 •

Miss Universe 2011

Leila Lopes
Angola

Miss Universe 2010

Ximena Navarrete
Mexico

Miss Universe 2009

Stefanía Fernández
Venezuela

•
Miss Universe 2008
Dayana Mendoza
Venezuela

Miss Universe 2007

Riyo Mori
Japan

Miss Universe 2006

Zuleyka Rivera
Puerto Rico

Miss Universe 2005

Natalie Glebova
Canada
 •

Miss Universe 2004

Jennifer Hawkins
Australia

Miss Universe 2003

Amelia Vega
Dominican Republic

Miss Universe 2002

Justine Pasek
Panama

Miss Universe 2001

Denise Quiñones
Puerto Rico
 •

Miss Universe 2000

Lara Dutta
India

Miss Universe 1999

Mpule Kwelagobe
Botswana

Miss Universe 1998

Wendy Fitzwilliam
Trinidad and Tobago

Miss Universe 1997

Brook Lee
United States
 •

Miss Universe 1996

Alicia Machado
Venezuela

Miss Universe 1994

Sushmita Sen
India

Miss Universe 1993

Dayanara Torres
Puerto Rico

•
Miss Universe 1991
Lupita Jones
México

Miss Universe 1989

Angela Visser
Netherlands

Miss Universe 1987

Cecilia Bolocco
Chile

Miss Universe 1984

Yvonne Ryding
Sweden
 •

Miss Universe 1983

Lorraine Downes
New Zealand

Miss Universe 1980

Shawn Weatherly
United States

Miss Universe 1979

Maritza Sayalero
Venezuela

Miss Universe 1977

Janelle Commissiong
Trinidad and Tobago
 •

Miss Universe 1976

Rina Messinger
Israel

Miss Universe 1974

Amparo Muñoz
Spain

Miss Universe 1973

Margie Moran
Philippines

•
Miss Universe 1971
Georgina Rizk
Lebanon

Miss Universe 1969

Gloria Diaz
Philippines

Miss Universe 1968

Martha Vasconcellos
Brazil

Miss Universe 1967

Sylvia Hitchcock
United States
 •

Miss Universe 1963

Iêda Maria Vargas
Brazil

Miss Universe 1959

Akiko Kojima
Japan

Miss Universe 1956

Carol Morris
United States

Miss Universe 1953

Christiane Martel
France
 •

Miss Universe 1952

Armi Kuusela
Finland

Miss Universe Organization

The Miss Universe Organization is the organization that currently owns and runs the
Miss Universe pageant. Until 2020, the organization also ran Miss USA and Miss Teen
USA, until the licenses were purchased by Crystle Stewart.[37][38]
Based in New York, the organization is owned by WME/IMG. The current president is
Paula Shugart. The organization sells television rights to the pageants in other
countries.
Miss Universe Organization titleholders
The following is a list of all Miss Universe Organization titleholders from the founding of
each pageant until the separation of Miss USA and Miss Teen USA into a separate
organization in 2020.

Editio Miss Miss Teen

Country Miss USA State State
n Universe USA

Asya Kiʻilani
2020 Andrea Meza Mexico Mississippi Hawaii
Branch Arruda

Zozibini South Cheslie North Kaliegh

2019 Connecticut
Tunzi Africa Kryst Carolina Garris

Catriona Philippine Sarah Rose Hailey

2018 Nebraska Kansas
Gray s Summers Colborn

Kára Sophia
Demi-Leigh South District of
2017 McCulloug Domingue Missouri
Nel-Peters Africa Columbia
h z-Heithoff
 Iris Deshauna
2016 France Karlie Hay Texas
Mittenaere Barber

Pia Philippine Olivia Katherine

2015 Oklahoma Louisiana
Wurtzbach s Jordan Haik

Nia K. Lee South

2014 Paulina Vega Colombia Nevada
Sanchez Graham Carolina

Cassidy
2013 Gabriela Isler Venezuela Erin Brady Connecticut California
Wolf

United Nana Logan

2012 Olivia Culpo Meriwether[ Maryland Connecticut
States a] West

Alyssa Danielle
2011 Leila Lopes Angola California Texas
Campanella Doty

Ximena Kamie
2010 Mexico Rima Fakih Michigan Maryland
Navarrete Crawford

Stefanía Kristen North Stormi

2009 Tennessee
Fernández Dalton Carolina Henley

Venezuela
Dayana Crystle
2008 Texas Stevi Perry Arkansas
Mendoza Stewart

Rachel Hilary
2007 Riyo Mori Japan Tennessee Colorado
Smith Cruz

Zuleyka Puerto Tara

2006 Kentucky Katie Blair Montana
Rivera Rico Conner
 Natalie Chelsea North Allie
2005 Canada Ohio
Glebova Cooley Carolina LaForce

Jennifer Shandi Shelley

2004 Australia Missouri Louisiana
Hawkins Finnessey Hennig

Dominica Susie Massachuset Tami

2003 Amelia Vega Oregon
n Republic Castillo ts Farrell

Oxana
Russia
Fedorova[b]
Shauntay District of Vanessa
2002 Wisconsin
Hinton Columbia Semrow
Justine
Panama
Pasek[c]

Denise Puerto Kandace Marissa

2001 Texas Missouri
Quiñones Rico Krueger Whitley

Lynnette Jillian Pennsylvan

2000 Lara Dutta India Tennessee
Cole Parry ia

Mpule Kimberly Ashley

1999 Botswana New York Delaware
Kwelagobe Pressler Coleman

Wendy Trinidad Shawnae Massachuset Vanessa South

1998
Fitzwilliam and Tobago Jebbia ts Minnillo Carolina

United Brandi Shelly

1997 Brook Lee Idaho Tennessee
States Sherwood[a] Moore

Christie
Alicia
1996 Venezuela Ali Landry Louisiana Lee Texas
Machado
Woods
 Keylee
United Shanna
1995 Chelsi Smith New York Sue Kansas
States Moakler[a]
Sanders

South Shauna
1994 Sushmita Sen India Lu Parker California
Carolina Gambill

Dayanara Puerto Kenya Charlotte

1993 Michigan Vermont
Torres Rico Moore Lopez

Michelle Shannon Jamie

1992 Namibia California Iowa
McLean Marketic Solinger

Kelli Janelle New

1991 Lupita Jones Mexico Kansas
McCarty Bishop Hampshire

Bridgette
1990 Mona Grudt Norway Carole Gist Michigan Oregon
Wilson

Angela Netherlan Gretchen Brandi

1989 Idaho
Visser ds Polhemus Sherwood

Porntip
Courtney Mindy
1988 Nakhirunkan Thailand Oregon
Gibbs Duncan
ok

Cecilia Michelle Kristi

1987 Chile Texas Mississippi
Bolocco Royer Addis

Bárbara Christy Allison

1986 Venezuela Oklahoma
Palacios Fichtner Brown

Laura
Deborah Puerto
1985 Martinez- Kelly Hu Hawaii
Carthy-Deu Rico
Herring
 Yvonne Mai New Cherise
1984 Sweden Illinois
Ryding Shanley Mexico Haugen

Lorraine New Ruth

1983 Julie Hayek California New York
Downes Zealand Zakarian

Karen
1982 Canada Terri Utley Arkansas
Baldwin

Kim
1981 Irene Sáez Venezuela Ohio
Seelbrede

Shawn United Jineane

1980 Arizona
Weatherly States Ford[a]

Mary
Maritza
1979 Venezuela Therese New York
Sayalero
Friel

Margaret South Judi ↑ No Pageant Held

1978 Hawaii
Gardiner Africa Andersen (established in 1983)

Janelle Trinidad Kimberly

1977 Texas
Commissiong and Tobago Tomes

Rina Barbara
1976 Israel Minnesota
Messinger Peterson

Summer
Anne Marie
1975 Finland Bartholome California
Pohtamo
w

Amparo Karen
1974 Spain Illinois
Muñoz Morrison
 Margie Philippine Amanda
1973
Moran s Jones

Kerry Anne Tanya

1972 Australia Hawaii
Wells Wilson

Georgina Michele Pennsylvani

1971 Lebanon
Rizk McDonald a

Marisol Puerto Deborah

1970
Malaret Rico Shelton

Virginia
Philippine Wendy
1969 Gloria Diaz
s Dascomb

Martha Dorothy
1968 Brazil Washington
Vasconcellos Anstett

Sylvia United Cheryl

1967 Florida
Hitchcock States Patton[a]

Margareta Maria
1966 Sweden California
Arvidsson Remenyi

Apasra Sue
1965 Thailand Ohio
Hongsakula Downey

Corinna Bobbi District of

1964 Greece
Tsopei Johnson Columbia

Iêda Maria Marite

1963 Brazil Illinois
Vargas Ozers
 Macel
1962 Norma Nolan Argentina Leilani Hawaii
Wilson

Marlene Sharon
1961 Germany Louisiana
Schmidt Brown

Linda United Linda

1960 Utah
Bement States Bement

Akiko Terry
1959 Japan California
Kojima Huntingdon

Luz Marina Arlene

1958 Colombia Louisiana
Zuluaga Howell

Charlotte
Utah
Sheffield[d]
Gladys
1957 Peru
Zender
Mary Leona
Maryland
Gage[e]

United Carol
1956 Carol Morris Iowa
States Morris

Hillevi Carlene
1955 Sweden Vermont
Rombin Johnson

Miriam United Miriam South

1954
Stevenson States Stevenson Carolina

Christiane Myrna
1953 France Illinois
Martel Hansen
 Jackie
1952 Armi Kuusela Finland New York
Loughery

Notes

1. ^ Jump up to:a b c d e Inherited the Miss USA title after the original
titleholder became Miss Universe
2. ^ In 2002, Fedorova was dethroned by the Miss Universe
Organization.
3. ^ Inherited the Miss Universe title after Fedorova was dethroned.
4. ^ Inherited the Miss USA title after Gage was stripped of the crown
5. ^ In 1957, Gage was stripped of her Miss USA title when it was
revealed that she was married and the mother of two children.

Gallery
•

Gloria Diaz, Miss Universe 1969, and Margarita Moran, Miss Universe
1973, at the Miss Universe 2016 red carpet - Mall of Asia
Arena, Manila, the Philippines

Crystle Stewart, Miss USA 2008 and Dayana Mendoza, Miss Universe
2008 at Guantanamo Bay
 •

Crystle Stewart, Miss USA 2008 and Stevi Perry, Miss Teen USA 2008

Hilary Cruz, Miss Teen USA 2007 and Riyo Mori, Miss Universe 2007
attend the "Fashion Rocks the Universe" event prior to the Miss USA
2008 pageant

Chelsea Cooley, Miss USA 2005 and Shelley Hennig, Miss Teen USA
2004 at Guantanamo Bay

•
 Miss Universe 2002, Justine Pasek, with Miss USA 2002, Shauntay
Hinton and Miss Teen USA 2002, Vanessa Semrow at Guantanamo
Bay

Shawn Weatherly, Miss Universe 1980 and Kim Seelbrede, Miss USA
1981 together with then-US President Ronald Reagan.

In other media
Electronic Arts was reportedly developing a video game based on the pageant, but
development status is currently uncertain due to the closure of EA Black Box, the studio
allegedly developing the game.[39]

See also
• List of beauty contests

References
1. ^ Jump up to:a b Natalie Tadena (July 2, 2015)."Donald Trump's Miss
USA Pageant Lands on Reelz Cable Channel". The Wall Street
Journal.
2. ^ Chandram, Rina. "Transgender, indigenous contestants in historic
Miss Universe pageant". Reuters. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
3. ^ "WME/IMG Acquires The Miss Universe Organization". Archived
from the original on December 20, 2015.
4. ^ Enriquez, Amee (February 2, 2014). "Beauty Pageant Basics". BBC
News. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
5. ^ Bundel, Ani (December 16, 2018). "Miss Universe is the only major
beauty pageant worth watching. Here's why". NBC News.
Retrieved December 20, 2018.
6. ^ "Miss Universe Returns To Telemundo After 5-Year
Absence". forbes.com. November 3, 2019. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
7. ^ "About Miss Universe". Miss Universe Website. April 20, 2020.
Retrieved April 20, 2020.
8. ^ Scott, H. Allan (December 16, 2018). "Catriona Gray of Philippines
Crowned". Newsweek. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
9. ^ FUNFARE by Ricky Lo (June 28, 2006). "A misty-eyed look at Armi
Kuusela, the 1st Miss Universe". philstar.com. The Philippine Star.
Retrieved October 9, 2013.
10. ^ Prestigious Beauty Pageant (November 18, 2013). "Four Big Ships
Dominate International Beauty Pageants". Prestigious Beauty
Pageants. Archived from the original on December 17, 2013.
Retrieved June 15, 2014.
11. ^ "Miss USA Olivia Culpo is Miss Universe 2012!". India Today.
December 19, 2012. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
12. ^ Foreman, Jonathan (January 18, 1999). "Mistress of the
Universe". New York Post. Retrieved February 24, 2011.
13. ^ Littleton, Cynthia (September 14, 2015). "WME/IMG Acquires Miss
Universe Organization From Donald Trump".
14. ^ Rutenberg, Jim (June 22, 2002). "Three Beauty Pageants Leaving
CBS for NBC". The New York Times. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
15. ^ Stanhope, Kate (June 29, 2015). "NBC Cuts Ties With Donald
Trump Over "Derogatory Statements," Pulls Miss USA and Miss
Universe Pageants". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June
30, 2015.
16. ^ "NBCUniversal cuts ties with Donald Trump". CNN Money. June 29,
2015. Retrieved June 29, 2015.
17. ^ "Trump Sells Miss Universe Organization to WME-IMG Talent
Agency". The New York Times. September 15, 2015.
Retrieved February 5, 2016.
18. ^ Nededog, Jethro (September 14, 2015). "Donald Trump sells the
Miss Universe Organization". Business Insider. Retrieved January
9, 2016.
19. ^ "Miss Universe and Miss USA Pageants to Air on Fox". TV Insider.
Retrieved January 9, 2016.
20. ^ "PAULA M. SHUGART". Miss Universe. Miss Universe Organization.
Archived from the original on July 3, 2015. Retrieved June 29, 2015.
21. ^ Dillon, Nancy (April 10, 2012). "Transgender contestants can
compete in Miss Universe". Daily News. New York..
22. ^ "ÁNGELA PONCE: LA TRANSEXUAL MÁS HERMOSA DE
ESPAÑA QUE CAMBIARÁ PARA SIEMPRE MISS UNIVERSO". be
Miss Universe Spain (in Spanish). July 9, 2018.
23. ^ "Hoa hậu Myanmar thừa nhận đồng tính ngay khi thi Miss Universe
2019: Đầy bản lĩnh và đáng nể phục!" (in Vietnamese). November 30,
2019.
24. ^ "#MissUniverseMyanmar2019 #RoadToMissUniverse2019". Swe Zin
Htet. November 29, 2019.
25. ^ "Miss Universe Myanmar 2019 Comes Out Of The Closet —
Reveals She's a Proud Lesbian!". Missosology. November 29, 2019.
26. ^ Herbst, Diane (December 6, 2019). "Miss Universe's First Openly
Gay Contestant Came Out Days Ago: 'I Just Started a New
Chapter'". People.
27. ^ Felicia R. Lee (October 10, 2007). "Three Crowns Sharing One
Apartment". The New York Times. Retrieved October 9, 2013.
28. ^ Jump up to:a b c d e f g "IN PHOTOS: Miss Universe crowns through
the years". Rappler. Retrieved August 16, 2017.
29. ^ "Mikimoto History Timeline". mikimotoamerica.com. Archived
from the originalon August 1, 2014.
30. ^ "Connection to MISS UNIVERSE®". diamondnexus.com.
31. ^ "Diamond Nexus Labs Announced as The Official Jewelry of The
Miss Universe Organization". redorbit.com. redOrbit. February 3, 2009.
Retrieved October 8,2013.
32. ^ "Miss Philippines, Pia Alonzo Wurzbach, wins "Miss Universe-
2015"". armenpress.am.
 33. ^ 4every1 s.r.o. "New Miss Universe to be decorated by crown made
by Czech company DIC, for the first time in the pageant's history".
Archived from the original on December 25, 2015. Retrieved January
9, 2016.
34. ^ "Miss Universe sues". www.usnews.com. Retrieved November
26, 2019.
35. ^ https://www.ajc.com/news/local/miss-universe-unveils-million-crown-
used-atlanta-pageant/NP5VPCKzlJv6LDPRvSTNVO/amp.html
36. ^ https://www.instagram.com/p/B5s0FhYH4z6/
37. ^ Chareunsy, Don. "Philippines crowned Miss Universe after Harvey
wrongly names Colombia winner". LasVegasSun.com.
Retrieved February 5, 2016.
38. ^ Brantley-Jones, Kiara (December 30, 2020). "Exclusive: Crystle
Stewart takes on new leadership role for Miss USA, Miss Teen
USA". Good Morning America.
39. ^ "10 Awful-Sounding Video Games That (Fortunately) Got
Cancelled". WhatCulture.com. November 14, 2014. Retrieved August
16, 2017.

External links
• Official website
• Miss Universe on Instagram
• Miss Universe on Twitter

show

Miss Universe

show

Miss Universe titleholders

show

Miss Universe participant countries and territories

show
 Big Four international beauty pageants

show

Fox programming (current and upcoming)

Categories:
• Miss Universe
• International beauty pageants
• Recurring events established in 1952
• 1952 establishments in California
• Miss Universe Organization
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