Miss USA and Miss Universe contest was set up by Pacific Mills after they have withdrawn from Miss America when the winner of Miss America 1951 pageant, Yolande Betbeze, refused to pose in a swimsuit from its major sponsor, Catalina swimwear.
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 to get married to a Filipino tycoon, Virgilio Hilario, shortly before her year was complete. Until 1958 the Miss Universe title (like Miss America) was post-dated, so at the time Ms. Kuusela's title was Miss Universe 1953.
The pageant was first televised in 1955. CBS began nationally broadcasting the combined Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants from 1960 and, separately, from 1965.
The main pageant was held consecutively in the continental US from 1952 to 1971. Since then, the pageant has been held in locales around the world. |
