Debra Maffett

Last updated
Debra Maffett
MissAmerica1983.jpg
Maffett and Ronald Letterman in 1983
Born (1956-11-09) November 9, 1956 (age 67)
Education University of Houston
Sam Houston State University
Lamar University
Occupation(s)Television personality, producer, media consultant, speaker, songwriter, singer
Title Miss California 1982
Miss America 1983
Predecessor Elizabeth Ward
Successor Vanessa Williams
Spouse
Buster Wilson
(deceased 2004)
Children2
AwardsEmmy Nomination Best Host[ citation needed ]

Debra Sue Maffett (born November 9, 1956) is an American beauty pageant titleholder from Cut and Shoot, Texas and was named Miss America 1983. [1]

Contents

Early life and education

Maffett graduated from S.P. Waltrip High School in Houston, Texas, in 1975. [2]

Pageantry

Although she competed in the Miss Texas pageant several years without winning, she moved to California and was subsequently crowned Miss California 1982. [3] She represented California when she won the Miss America crown. Some controversy arose after it was revealed that Maffett underwent nasal surgery to correct her deviated septum. [4]

Career

Maffett served as a host on PM Magazine ; NBC and CBS pilots; Guinness Book of World Records with David Frost; Alive and Well; TNN Country News; Hot, Hip and Country; Making Healthy Choices; and The Harvest Show.

In 1984, Maffett appeared as a panelist on several episodes of the Match Game Hollywood Squares Hour .

Maffett appeared in the episode of Matlock that aired December 1, 1987, entitled "The Network", as news anchor Terry McNeil.

Personal life

Maffett was married to singer Buster Wilson, until his death in 2004. Wilson had a daughter, Jenny (born 1990), from a previous relationship. [5] Maffett gave birth to a son, Rydder, in 1996. [5]

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References

  1. Miss America Fates and Fortunes Retrieved 2018-04-14.
  2. IMDB Biography of Debra Sue Maffett
  3. "Miss California History". Miss California . Retrieved August 21, 2014.
  4. "Miss America had surgery to correct nose".
  5. 1 2 Tauber, Michelle; Neill, Mike; Russell, Lisa; Fowler, Joanne; Dam, Julie; Tresniowski, Alex; Miller, Samantha; Dougherty, Steve; Yu, Ting (October 16, 2000). "American Beauties: 80 Years". People.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Miss America
1983
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Cheryl Vancleave
Miss California
1982
Succeeded by