The Miss World competition is the oldest existing international beauty pageant, created in the United Kingdom in 1951 by Eric Morley.
Along with Miss Universe, Miss International, and Miss Earth, it's considered one of the Big Four beauty pageants.
The competition emphasizes beauty with a purpose, aiming to select representatives who not only possess physical beauty but also demonstrate intelligence, talent, and a commitment to charitable causes.
Contestants participate in various preliminary rounds, including beauty, talent, interview, sports, and charity assessments, before finalists compete in a televised grand finale.
Here are 10 remarkable women who have been crowned Miss World throughout history, along with some of their notable competitors:
Kiki Håkansson (Miss World 1951): The first-ever Miss World, Håkanson was a medical student from Sweden who impressed judges with her grace and intelligence.
Her closest competitors were Yolande Betbeze (France) and Uella Fowler (Australia).
May-Britt Wilkens (Miss World 1952): This Swedish beauty queen was a dental hygienist by profession and won the hearts of judges with her natural charm and wit. Her main competitors included Evelyn Anne Mily (Egypt) and Denise Dumas (France).
Penelope Plummer (Miss World 1958): Hailing from South Africa, Plummer was a model and secretary who captivated the audience with her elegance and poise. Her strongest competitors were Maureen Clemenson (New Zealand) and Thelma Brew (Ghana).
Rosemary Frankland (Miss World 1961): This English beauty queen, a secretary and air stewardess, stood out for her intelligence and confidence. Her key competitors were Grace Lovell (Puerto Rico) and Julia Lehmann (Switzerland).
Anne-Katrine Thomassen (Miss World 1967): Thomassen, a Norwegian model and secretary, charmed the judges with her bubbly personality and captivating smile. Her strongest competitors were Claudine Auger (France) and Shaheen McAulay (India).
Jennifer Hosten (Miss World 1970): The first black woman to win Miss World, Hosten, a secretary from Grenada, made history with her victory. Her notable competitors included Wanda Casillas (Dominican Republic) and Jillian Whitbread (United Kingdom).
Linda Pétursdóttir (Miss World 1988): This Icelandic beauty queen, a medical student, impressed judges with her intelligence and compassion. Her main competitors included Amanda Pertot (Philippines) and Yoko Minegishi (Japan).
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (Miss World 1994): This Indian actress captured the world's attention with her stunning looks and graceful demeanor. Her strongest competitors included Irene Skliva (Slovakia) and Michele Reis (Brazil).
Megan Young (Miss World 2013): Young, a Filipina student and model, made history as the first Filipino to win Miss World. Her close competitors included Francesca Hung (China) and Núria Gámez (Spain).
Vanessa Ponce de León (Miss World 2018): This Mexican model and advocate for the visually impaired impressed judges with her beauty, intelligence, and social impact work. Her main competitors included Kadijah Robinson (Jamaica) and Manika Sheokand (India).
These are just a few of the many inspiring women who have graced the Miss World stage. The competition continues to evolve, reflecting changing societal values and celebrating the diverse talents and achievements of women around the globe.
