-
The pageant began in 1952 as a publicity stunt by a California clothing company after a winner of the Miss America pageant refused to pose for publicity pictures wearing their swimsuit. They stopped sponsoring the Miss America pageant and started their own competition.
-
Miss Finland was the first winner.
Age: 17
Height: 5 ft 5 in
Weight: 108 pounds -
-
The 1960s was the height of the sexual revolution. Women were becoming more empowered and expressing themselves unlike before. In the 1950s you’d see full-coverage swimsuits. In the 1960s and afterwards the layers gradually fall away from the contestants
-
The average height of contestants started to rise in the 1970's. Even though the average height in any given country has remained pretty much the same, contestants have gotten 3 to 5 inches taller. In 1970 the Miss Universe winner was Marisol Malaret from Puerto Rico at a height of 5 ft 8 in. The average women is 5 ft 4 in.
-
In 1977 Janelle "Penny" Commissiong was the first black woman to hold the Miss Universe title. Since the beginning of the pageant, 5 black women have won, 2 from Africa, 2 from Trinidad and 1 from the United States.
-
The 1980's was a period of fit-body expectations – when supermodels were household names, home video workouts grew in popularity, and fat-free food hit supermarket shelves hard.
Flat stomachs and toned arms are noticeably more present as the years go on. -
In 2000, the interview portion of the pageant was cut, leaving only the swimsuits and evening gown contests.
-
In 2004 the swimsuits are even more revealing and women are freely expressing themselves. Practically every contestant wears a bikini for the swimsuit competition.
