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The Start
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. -
First Winner
Miss Finland was the first winner.
Age: 17
Height: 5 ft 5 in
Weight: 108 pounds -
Period: to
1952
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Sexual Revolution
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 -
Height Increase
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. -
First Black Miss Universe Winner
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. -
Fit and Sculpted Bodies
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. -
Interview portion cut
In 2000, the interview portion of the pageant was cut, leaving only the swimsuits and evening gown contests. -
Revealing Swimsuits
In 2004 the swimsuits are even more revealing and women are freely expressing themselves. Practically every contestant wears a bikini for the swimsuit competition.
