Miss Universe 1968

Last updated
Miss Universe 1968
Martha Vasconcellos.jpg
Martha Vasconcellos
Date13 July 1968
Presenters
[1]
Venue Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, United States
Broadcaster
Entrants65
Placements15
Debuts
  • Congo-Kinshasa
  • Malta
  • Yugoslavia
Withdrawals
  • Cuba
  • Panama
  • Paraguay
Returns
  • Australia
  • Ceylon
  • Ecuador
  • Haiti
  • Jamaica
  • Lebanon
  • Nicaragua
  • Thailand
  • Tunisia
Winner Martha Vasconcellos
Brazil
CongenialityYasuyo Iino (Japan)
Best National CostumeLuz Elena Restrepo (Colombia)
PhotogenicDaliborka Stojšić (Yugoslavia)
←  1967
1969  →

Miss Universe 1968 was the 17th Miss Universe pageant, held at the Miami Beach Auditorium in Miami Beach, Florida, the United States, on 13 July 1968.

Contents

At the conclusion of the event, Sylvia Hitchcock of the United States crowned Martha Vasconcellos of Brazil as Miss Universe 1968. It is the second victory of Brazil in the history of the pageant.

Contestants from sixty-five countries and territories competed in this edition. The pageant was hosted by Bob Barker, while June Lockhart provided commentary throughout the competition. [2] [3]

Background

Selection of participants

Contestants from sixty-five countries and territories were selected to compete in the pageant. Two candidates were appointed to represent their country to replace the original dethroned winner. [4]

Replacements

Miss Australia 1968, Helen Newton, withdrew after her sponsor decided not to participate in the competition. [5] As a result, the rights to choose the Australian candidate for Miss Universe went to the Queen of Quests competition, which was won by Lauren Jones. [6]

Elizabeth Cadren, second runner-up of Miss France 1968, was appointed as the French candidate for Miss Universe after Miss France 1968, Christiane Lillio, decided that she will not compete in any international competition. [7]

Debuts, returns, and withdrawals

This edition saw the debuts of Congo-Kinshasa, Malta, and Yugoslavia, and the returns of Haiti which last competed in 1962; Australia and Tunisia in 1965; and Ceylon, Ecuador, Jamaica, Lebanon, Nicaragua, and Thailand last competed in 1966. [8] Cuba, Panama, and Paraguay withdrew after their respective organizations failed to hold a national competition or appoint a delegate. [9]

Miss Morocco, Zakia Chamouch, was set to compete but withdrew for being underage. [10]

Results

Miss Universe 1968 participating countries and territories Miss Universe 1968 Map.PNG
Miss Universe 1968 participating countries and territories

Placements

PlacementContestant
Miss Universe 1968
1st Runner-Up
2nd Runner-Up
  • Flag of Finland.svg Finland – Leena Brusiin [1]
3rd Runner-Up
4th Runner-Up
Top 15
  • Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada – Nancy Wilson
  • Flag of Chile.svg Chile – Dánae Salas
  • Flag of England.svg England – Jennifer Summers
  • Flag of France.svg France – Elizabeth Cadren
  • Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg Greece – Miranta Zafiropoulou
  • Flag of Israel.svg Israel – Miriam Fridman
  • Flag of Norway.svg Norway – Tone Knaran
  • Flag of Sweden.svg Sweden – Anne Hellqvist
  • Flag of Thailand (non-standard colours).svg Thailand – Apantree Prayutsenee
  • Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Yugoslavia – Daliborka Stojšić

Special awards

AwardContestant
Miss Amity
  • Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg Japan – Yasuyo Iino [11]
Miss Photogenic
  • Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Yugoslavia – Daliborka Stojšić [12]
Best National Costume
  • Flag of Colombia.svg Colombia – Luz Elena Restrepo
Top 15 Best in Swimsuit [12]
  • Flag of Bolivia.svg Bolivia – Roxana Bowles
  • Flag of Brazil (1968-1992).svg Brazil – Martha Vasconcellos
  • Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada – Nancy Wilson
  • Flag of the Netherlands Antilles (1959-1986).svg Curaçao – Anne Braafheid
  • Flag of England.svg England – Jennifer Summers
  • Flag of France.svg France – Elizabeth Cadren
  • Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg Greece – Miranta Zafiropoulou
  • Flag of Israel.svg Israel – Miriam Fridman
  • Flag of Nicaragua (1908-1971).svg Nicaragua – Margine Davidson
  • Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg South Africa – Monica Fairall
  • Flag of South Korea (1949-1984).svg South Korea – Yoon-jung Kim
  • Flag of Sweden.svg Sweden – Anne Hellqvist
  • Flag of Thailand (non-standard colours).svg Thailand – Apantree Prayutsenee
  • Flag of the United States.svg United States – Dorothy Anstett
  • Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Yugoslavia – Daliborka Stojšić

Pageant

Format

Same with 1966, fifteen semi-finalists were chosen at the preliminary competition that consists of the swimsuit and evening gown competition. Each of the fifteen semi-finalists were individually interviewed by Bob Barker. Following the interviews, the fifteen semi-finalists participated in the swimsuit and evening gown competitions. From fifteen, five contestants were shortlisted to advance to the final interview. [13]

Selection committee

Contestants

Contestants from Guam, the Philippines, Singapore, and Malaysia Miss Universe 1968 contestants.jpg
Contestants from Guam, the Philippines, Singapore, and Malaysia

Sixty-five contestants competed for the title.

Country/TerritoryContestantAge [a] Hometown
Flag of Argentina (1818-1819, 1820-1829, 1861-2010).svg Argentina María Jordán Vidal23 Buenos Aires
Flag of the Netherlands Antilles (1959-1986).svg Aruba Sandra Croes [15] 18 Oranjestad
Flag of Australia.svg Australia Lauren Jones [16] 21 Sydney
Flag of Austria.svg Austria Brigitte Krüger24 Vienna
Flag of the Bahamas (1964-1973).svg Bahamas Brenda Fountain [17] 20 Nassau
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Belgium Sonja Doumen [18] 20 Dilsen-Stokkem
Flag of Bermuda 1910.svg Bermuda Victoria Martin [19] 23 Pembroke Parish
Flag of Bolivia.svg Bolivia Roxana Bowles [20] 18 Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Flag of the Netherlands Antilles (1959-1986).svg Bonaire Ilse de Jong [21] 18 Kralendijk
Flag of Brazil (1968-1992).svg Brazil Martha Vasconcellos [22] 20 Salvador
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada Nancy Wilson [23] 19 Chatham-Kent
Flag of Ceylon.svg Ceylon Sheila Jayatilleke [24] 18 Colombo
Flag of Chile.svg Chile Dánae Salas22 Santiago
Flag of Colombia.svg Colombia Luz Elena Restrepo [25] 18 Barranquilla
Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (1966-1971).svg Congo-Kinshasa Elizabeth Tavares [26] 20 Kinshasa
Flag of Costa Rica.svg Costa Rica Ana María Rivera19 San José
Flag of the Netherlands Antilles (1959-1986).svg Curaçao Anne Braafheid [27] 21 Willemstad
Flag of Denmark.svg Denmark Gitte Broge20 Copenhagen
Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg Dominican Republic Ana María Ortíz18 Santo Domingo
Flag of Ecuador (1900-2009).svg Ecuador Priscila Álava18 Guayaquil
Flag of England.svg England Jennifer Summers [28] 22 London
Flag of Finland.svg Finland Leena Brusiin [29] 22 Helsinki
Flag of France.svg France Elizabeth Cadren [30] 22 Paris
Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg Greece Miranta Zafiropoulou [31] 22 Athens
Flag of Guam.svg Guam Arlene Chaco [32] 21 Agana
Flag of Haiti (1964-1986).svg Haiti Claudie Paquin [33] 18 Port-au-Prince
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Holland Nathalie Heyl [34] 21 The Hague
Flag of Honduras (1949-2022).svg Honduras Nora Guillén [35] 19 Tegucigalpa
Flag of Hong Kong (1959-1997).svg Hong KongTammy Yung [24] 18Hong Kong
Flag of Iceland.svg Iceland Helen Knuttsdóttir [36] 18 Reykjavík
Flag of India.svg India Anjum Mumtaz Barg [37] 23 Hyderabad
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland Tiffany Scales [38] 22 Dublin
Flag of Israel.svg Israel Miriam Friedman [39] 18 Tel Aviv
Flag of Italy (1946-2003).svg Italy Cristina Businari [40] 18 Rome
Flag of Jamaica.svg Jamaica Marjorie Bromfield19 Kingston
Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg Japan Yasuyo Iino [41] 18 Tokyo
Flag of Lebanon (1943-1990).svg Lebanon Sonia Fares [42] 18 Beirut
Flag of Luxembourg.svg Luxembourg Lucienne Krier [43] 18 Esch-sur-Alzette
Flag of Malaysia.svg Malaysia Maznah Ali [44] 20 Johor Bahru
Flag of Malta.svg Malta Kathlene Farrugia [45] 22 Qormi
Flag of Mexico (1934-1968).svg Mexico Perla Aguirre [46] 18 Mexico City
Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand Christine Antunovic [47] 18 Auckland
Flag of Nicaragua (1908-1971).svg Nicaragua Margine Davidson [48] 20 Matagalpa
Flag of Norway.svg Norway Tone Knaran [49] 18 Oslo
USCAR flag of the Ryukyu Islands, 1954 (unofficial).svg OkinawaSachie Kawamitsu [32] 19 Naha
Flag of Peru.svg Peru María Esther Brambilla [50] 19 Lima
Flag of the Philippines (navy blue).svg Philippines Rosario Zaragoza [51] 18 Quezon City
Flag of Puerto Rico.svg Puerto Rico Marylene Carrasquillo19 Santurce
Flag of Scotland.svg Scotland Helen Davidson22 Glasgow
Flag of Singapore.svg Singapore Yasmin Saif [52] 19Singapore
Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg South Africa Monica Fairall [53] 20 Durban
Flag of South Korea (1949-1984).svg South Korea Yoon-jung Kim [24] 18 Seoul
Flag of Spain (1945-1977).svg Spain Yolanda Legarreta [54] 18 Basque Country
Flag of Sweden.svg Sweden Anne Hellqvist [55] 18 Hallsberg
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Switzerland Jeannette Biffiger [56] 19 Zürich
Flag of Thailand (non-standard colours).svg Thailand Apantree Prayutsenee [8] 20 Phra Nakhon
Flag of Tunisia (1959-1999).svg Tunisia Rekaia Dekhil20 Tunis
Flag of Turkey.svg Turkey Zuhal Aktan [57] 18 Istanbul
Flag of the United States.svg United States Dorothy Anstett [58] 21 Kirkland
Flag of the United States Virgin Islands.svg United States Virgin Islands Sadie Sargeant [59] 19 Charlotte Amalie
Flag of Uruguay.svg Uruguay Graciela Minarrieta20 Montevideo
Flag of Venezuela (1954-2006).svg Venezuela Peggy Kopp [60] 18 Caracas
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Wales Judith Radford [61] 19 Swansea
Flag of Germany.svg West Germany Lilian Atterer [62] 20 Bavaria
Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Yugoslavia Daliborka Stojšić [63] 23 Belgrade

Notes

  1. ↑ Ages at the time of the pageant

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Name Brazilian Miss Universe". The Journal Times . Associated Press. 14 Jul 1968. p. 1. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  2. ↑ Crosby, Joan (13 July 1968). "June Lockhart hostess for loveliest lassies in Universe". The Pittsburgh Press. p. 20. Retrieved 24 September 2025– via Google News Archive.
  3. ↑ "The Hartford Courant TV Week". Hartford Courant. 7 July 1968. p. 124. Retrieved 24 September 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ "Miss Israel crowned". The Australian Jewish News. 7 June 1968. p. 1. Archived from the original on 20 December 2022. Retrieved 24 September 2025– via The National Library of Israel.
  5. ↑ "Helen is not sorry to miss Universe contest". Straits Budget. 21 February 1968. p. 16. Retrieved 24 September 2025– via National Library Board.
  6. ↑ Brown, Loraine (3 July 1968). "Surf-and-sand theme in contest wardrobe". The Australian Women's Weekly. p. 3. Retrieved 24 September 2025– via Trove.
  7. ↑ "L'histoire de Miss France 1968, devenue femme d'affaires" [The story of Miss France 1968, who became a businesswoman]. Le Dauphine (in French). 22 September 2011. Archived from the original on 20 December 2022. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  8. 1 2 "New Miss Thailand back for holiday in Penang". The Straits Times. 28 February 1968. p. 5. Retrieved 1 May 2025– via National Library Board.
  9. ↑ "¿Tiene Cuba representante para Miss Universo 2015?" [Does Cuba have a representative for Miss Universe 2015?]. Univision (in Spanish). 9 September 2015. Archived from the original on 3 December 2024. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  10. ↑ Babas, Latifa (8 February 2019). "History : When beauties competed under the Moroccan flag in international beauty pageants". Yabiladi. Archived from the original on 10 February 2025. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  11. ↑ "Brazilian is judged fairest". The Sydney Morning Herald . 15 July 1968. p. 3. Retrieved 25 September 2025– via Google News Archive.
  12. 1 2 "3 Latinoamericanas, entre favoritas" [3 Latin Americans, among favorites]. El Tiempo (in Spanish). 11 July 1968. p. 8. Retrieved 25 September 2025– via Google News Archive.
  13. ↑ "Beldad brasilena gana titulo de Miss Universo" [Brazilian beauty wins Miss Universe title]. La Nacion (in Spanish). 14 July 1968. p. 57. Retrieved 25 September 2025– via Google News Archive.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "70 international lovelies to vie for Universe crown". The Free Lance-Star . 13 July 1968. Retrieved 25 September 2025– via Google News Archive.
  15. ↑ "Untitled". Aruba Esso News (in English and Papiamento). 12 July 1968. p. 3. Retrieved 1 May 2025– via Digital Library of the Caribbean.
  16. ↑ Brown, Loraine (3 July 1968). "Surf-and-sand theme in contest wardrobe". The Australian Women's Weekly. p. 3. Retrieved 15 August 2025– via Trove.
  17. ↑ "A ride for "Miss Bahamas"". The Carolinian. 20 July 1968. p. 13. Retrieved 15 August 2025– via DigitalNC.
  18. ↑ "Sonja Doumen werd 50 jaar geleden eerste Limburgse Miss België". Het Belang van Limburg (in Dutch). 13 January 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2023– via PressReader.
  19. ↑ "Miss Bermuda makes a promise as she leaves for pageant". The Royal Gazette. 3 July 1968. p. 1. Retrieved 15 August 2025– via Bermuda National Library.
  20. ↑ "El título les dio alegrías, trabajo y fama que aún saborean" [The title gave them joy, work and fame that they still savor.]. El Deber (in European Spanish). 29 July 2017. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  21. ↑ "See? They're only human". The San Francisco Examiner. 12 July 1968. p. 7. Retrieved 1 May 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  22. ↑ "Oops... oh well 'just bad luck'". St. Petersburg Times. 11 July 1968. pp. 2–B. Retrieved 1 May 2025– via Google News Archive.
  23. ↑ "All-American beauties". St. Petersburg Times . 8 July 1968. pp. 2–B. Retrieved 15 August 2025– via Google News Archive.
  24. 1 2 3 "Asian beauties on way to Miami". The Evening Independent. 4 July 1968. p. 9. Retrieved 15 August 2025– via Google Books.
  25. ↑ "Atlantico, Reina Nacional 1968". El Tiempo (in Spanish). 13 November 1967. pp. 1, 31. Retrieved 17 October 2023– via Google News Archive.
  26. ↑ Johnson, Elizabeth Ofosuah (24 February 2019). "See the first-ever beauty queens from Africa". Face2Face Africa. Archived from the original on 26 January 2025. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  27. ↑ "A 'near miss' for a dark beauty". Ebony. Vol. XXIII, no. 11. September 1968. p. 37. Retrieved 15 August 2025– via Google Books.
  28. ↑ Wright, David (27 April 1968). "Miss England's secret name". Daily Mirror. p. 1. Retrieved 15 August 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  29. ↑ Hapuli, Noora (23 June 2021). "Miss Suomi Leena Brusiin on kuollut". Ilta-Sanomat (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 21 December 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  30. ↑ Lo, Ricky (1 February 2017). "France 1st grand slam winner in world beauty pageants". Philippine Star . Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  31. ↑ Bounia, Alkinoo (11 September 2019). "Πού χάθηκε η Μιράντα Ζαφειροπούλου" [Where did Miranda Zafiropoulou go?]. Espresso (in Greek). Archived from the original on 19 December 2022. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  32. 1 2 Lo, Ricky (25 July 2013). "The 1st Mutya, 45 years ago". Philippine Star . Archived from the original on 17 November 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  33. ↑ Jolicoeur, Aubelia (7 July 1968). "Au fil des jours". Le Nouvelliste (in French). p. 1. Retrieved 15 August 2025– via Digital Library of the Caribbean.
  34. ↑ ""Man niet al te makkelijk maken"". De Telegraaf (in Dutch). 10 August 1968. p. 25. Retrieved 15 August 2025– via Delpher.
  35. ↑ Gámez, Sabino (25 April 2008). "El Miss Honduras, una historia que contar" [Miss Honduras, a story to tell]. La Prensa (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 23 January 2025. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  36. ↑ "Við undruðumst að stúlkan frá Brasilíu skyldi vinna". Vísir (in Icelandic). 20 July 1968. p. 1. Retrieved 15 August 2025– via Tímarit.is.
  37. ↑ "On World Senior Citizenship Day, Let's Talk About These Women That Shaped An Entire Generation". Femina. 21 August 2020. Archived from the original on 3 March 2025. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  38. ↑ "Pageant means meeting budget". St. Petersburg Times. 10 July 1968. pp. 2–B. Retrieved 1 May 2025– via Google News Archive.
  39. ↑ "New 'Queen of Israel'". The American Jewish World⁩. 7 June 1968. p. 1. Archived from the original on 20 December 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2025– via The National Library of Israel.
  40. ↑ "E' romana miss Italia ma il titolo è valido?" [Miss Italy is Roman but the title is valid?]. La Stampa (in Italian). 5 September 1967. p. 3. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  41. ↑ "Brazilian is judged fairest". The Sydney Morning Herald . 15 July 1968. p. 3. Retrieved 15 August 2025– via Google News Archive.
  42. ↑ Ghaleb, Chloe (14 July 2020). "Miss Lebanon Throughout History In Pictures". 961. Archived from the original on 24 January 2025. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  43. ↑ "Beauty's dress has them whistling". Evening Times. 11 July 1968. p. 3. Retrieved 15 August 2025– via Google News Archive.
  44. ↑ "Pocket Venus Maznah: Never before in public..." The Straits Times . 14 July 1968. p. 9. Retrieved 15 August 2025– via National Library Board.
  45. ↑ Jacobsen, Baryn (13 October 2019). "A National Geographic Magazine From 1969 Was One Of Malta's First Calls To Mediterranean Fame". Lovin Malta. Archived from the original on 19 December 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  46. ↑ "'Telly' delights African beauty". St. Petersburg Times . 11 July 1968. pp. 2–B. Retrieved 15 August 2025– via Google News Archive.
  47. ↑ Harvey, Helen (25 January 2014). "Homegrown heroines". Stuff. Archived from the original on 12 January 2025. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  48. ↑ "Nica entre más bellas del mundo". La Prensa (in Spanish). 17 November 2001. Archived from the original on 4 December 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  49. ↑ "Beauties say free love not so rare". St. Petersburg Times . 10 July 1968. pp. 2–B. Retrieved 15 August 2025– via Google News Archive.
  50. ↑ "Miss Universe entries begin work". St. Petersburg Times . 7 July 1968. p. 52. Retrieved 15 August 2025– via Google News Archive.
  51. ↑ Lo, Ricky (11 March 2014). "Beauty is in the blood". Philippine Star . Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  52. ↑ "Yasmin to represent S'pore in Miss Universe Contest". The Straits Times . 24 June 1968. p. 11. Retrieved 15 August 2025– via National Library Board.
  53. ↑ "A gown: a bit 'extreme'". St. Petersburg Times . 12 July 1968. pp. 2–B. Retrieved 15 August 2025– via Google News Archive.
  54. ↑ "Leg display is universal". Reading Eagle. 27 June 1968. p. 8. Retrieved 1 May 2025– via Google News Archive.
  55. ↑ "Fröken Sverige-flickor i Eskilstuna". Eskilstuna-Kuriren (in Swedish). 7 January 2018. Archived from the original on 19 December 2022. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  56. ↑ Meier, Simone (15 October 2015). "Liebe Schweiz, es ist wieder Missen-Zeit. Da müssen wir doch gleich mal dissen" [Dear Switzerland, it is Misses time again. We have to diss]. Watson (in German). Archived from the original on 19 February 2025. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  57. ↑ Tarihi, Güncelleme (4 May 2020). "Güzeller canlı yayında buluştu" [Beauties met on live broadcast]. Hürriyet (in Turkish). Archived from the original on 2 January 2023. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  58. ↑ "Miss USA Says Title Means Little at Home". Roanoke Times . Associated Press. May 20, 1968. p. 4. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  59. ↑ "UPDATE: Sargeant-Winter remembered for strength & humour". Virgin Islands News Online. 27 April 2013. Archived from the original on 5 November 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  60. ↑ Garcés, Ever (16 November 2022). "Miss Venezuela: Ni tan niñas, ni tan venezolanas…" [Miss Venezuela: Not so young, not so Venezuelan…]. Diario de Los Andes (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 26 January 2025. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  61. ↑ "Windblow beauties gather". St. Petersburg Times . 5 July 1968. pp. 9–B. Retrieved 15 August 2025– via Google News Archive.
  62. ↑ Mayer, Verena (11 June 2013). "Blick zurück: Lilian Böhringer: Die Schönheit der Tage" [Looking back: Lilian Böhringer: The Beauty of Days]. Stuttgarter Zeitung (in German). Archived from the original on 14 June 2013. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  63. ↑ "She's their first". St. Petersburg Times. 6 July 1968. pp. 2–B. Retrieved 1 May 2025– via Google News Archive.
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