Miss Universe 1953

Last updated
Miss Universe 1953
Christiane Martel in 1953 (cropped).jpg
Date17 July 1953 (1953-07-17)
Presenters Bob Russell
Venue Long Beach Municipal Auditorium, Long Beach, California, United States
Entrants26
Placements16
Debuts
  • Austria
  • Switzerland
Withdrawals
  • Chile
  • Cuba
  • Great Britain
  • Hong Kong
  • India
  • Israel
Winner Christiane Martel
France
CongenialityJeanne Thompson (Louisiana)
Photogenic Myrna Hansen (United States)
  1952
1954  

Miss Universe 1953 was the second Miss Universe pageant, held at the Long Beach Municipal Auditorium in Long Beach, California, United States on 17 July 1953.

Contents

At the end of the event, actress Julie Adams crowned Christiane Martel from France as Miss Universe 1953. [1] [2] It is the first victory of France in the pageant's history. [3] Miss Universe 1952 Armi Kuusela of Finland was not able to crown her successor after she chose to relinquish her crown in order to marry. [4] [5]

Contestants from twenty-six countries and territories competed in this year's pageant, marking the smallest turnout to date for Miss Universe as of 2023. The pageant was hosted by Bob Russell. This edition also featured the Metallic Bronze Crown designed by American silversmith Allan Adler, an all-bronze crown known for its lack of rhinestones and gemstones. The crown was only used for this edition. [6]

Background

Long Beach Municipal Auditorium, the venue of Miss Universe 1953 LBarena.jpg
Long Beach Municipal Auditorium, the venue of Miss Universe 1953
Miss Universe 1953 and her court (from left to right): Ana Bertha Lepe, Myrna Hansen, Kinuko Ito, and Maxine Morgan. Itou Kinuko et al. Miss Universe 1953.jpg
Miss Universe 1953 and her court (from left to right): Ana Bertha Lepe, Myrna Hansen, Kinuko Ito, and Maxine Morgan.

Selection of participants

Contestants from twenty-six countries and territories were selected to compete in the pageant. One contestant was selected after another national pageant was held to replace the original dethroned winner.

Replacements

After Miss France 1953 Sylviane Carpentier chose not to participate in any international pageant in order to marry, two separate competitions were held to determine the candidates of France to Miss Universe and Miss World. [7] The Miss Cinema 1953 contest which was responsible for sending the candidate of France to Miss Universe was won by Christiane Martel. [8]

Debuts and withdrawals

The 1953 edition saw the debuts of Austria and Switzerland, and the withdrawals of Chile, Cuba, Great Britain, Hong Kong, India, and Israel after their respective organizations failed to hold a national competition or designate a contestant. Singapore was also set to compete in this edition. [9] However, the Miss Singapore contest was postponed to next year due to lack of time and preparation. [10] [11]

Results

Placements

PlacementContestant
Miss Universe 1953
1st runner-up
2nd runner-up
3rd runner-up
4th runner-up
Top 16

Special awards

AwardContestant
Miss Photogenic
Miss Friendship

Pageant

Format

From ten semi-finalists in 1952, sixteen semi-finalists were chosen at the preliminary competition that consists of the swimsuit and evening gown competition. Each of the sixteen semi-finalists gave a short speech during the final telecast using their native languages. Afterwards, the sixteen semi-finalists paraded again in their swimsuits and evening gowns, and the five finalists were eventually chosen. [12]

Selection committee

Contestants

Miss Universe 1953 participating countries and territories Miss Universe 1953 Map.PNG
Miss Universe 1953 participating countries and territories
The Miss Universe 1953 contestants in Long Beach, California Miss Universe 1953 contestants.jpg
The Miss Universe 1953 contestants in Long Beach, California

Twenty-six contestants competed for the title. [13] [14]

Country/TerritoryContestantAge [lower-alpha 1] Hometown
Flag of Alaska.svg Alaska Muriel Hagberg [15] 18 Fairbanks
Flag of Austria.svg  Austria Maxine Morgan [16] 20 Sydney
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Lore Felger [17] 18 Vienna
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium Elayne Cortois [18] 23 Brussels
Canadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg  Canada Thelma Brewis [19] 21 Ontario
Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark Jytte Olsen [20] 18 Gilleleje
Flag of Finland.svg  Finland Teija Sopanen [21] 20 Tampere
Flag of France (1794-1815, 1830-1958).svg  France Christiane Martel [22] 18 Paris
Flag of Germany.svg  West Germany Christel Schaack [23] 18 Berlin
Flag of Greece.svg  Greece Doreta Xirou [24] 19 Athens
Flag of Hawaii.svg Hawaii Aileen Lauwae Stone [25] 20 Honolulu
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy Rita Stazzi [26] 21 Milan
Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg  Japan Kinuko Ito [27] 21 Tokyo
Flag of Mexico (1934-1968).svg  Mexico Ana Bertha Lepe [28] 18 Tecolotlán
Flag of Norway.svg  Norway Synnøve Gulbrandsen [13] 23 Oslo
Flag of Panama.svg  Panama Emita Arosemena [29] 22 Panama City
Flag of Peru.svg  Peru Mary Ann Sarmiento [30] 22 Department of Ucayali
Flag of the Philippines (navy blue).svg  Philippines Cristina Pacheco [31] 18 Manila
Flag of Puerto Rico (1952-1995).svg  Puerto Rico Wanda Irizarry [32] 20 Rio Piedras
Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg  South Africa Ingrid Mills [33] 20 Salisbury, Rhodesia
Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden Ulla Sandklef [34] 18 Gothenburg
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland Danielle Oudinet [35] 20 Lausanne
Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkey Ayten Akyol [36] 21 Istanbul
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg  United States Myrna Hansen [37] 18 Chicago
Flag of Uruguay.svg  Uruguay Alicia Ibáñez [38] 23 Montevideo
Flag of Venezuela (1930-1954).svg  Venezuela Gisela Bolaños20 Carabobo

Notes

  1. Ages at the time of the pageant

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