LINOR ABARGIL – The Queen Who Stood Up Against Sexual Violence

LINOR ABARGIL – The Queen Who Stood Up Against Sexual Violence



People always laugh at Miss Worlds because they want to save the planet and they wave very nicely. I really believe that the people who get power in the world should try to change the world. However funny and big that sounds, people should change the world even if it’s by changing one woman.” - Linor Abargil, Miss World 1998.

When we speak of queens, we usually conjure these mental pictures of beautiful and regal women with everlasting smiles who tour the world inspiring people to be more charitable, loving and peaceful. They are the symbols of elegance and class. I once chanced upon a caption of a picture of Queen Elizabeth II and then British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher which says “The queen who reigns, the queen who rules”. Even in pageantry, we have queens who complete their reigns and go on, while others go above and beyond their titles and truly make use of their new status to make the world a better place.

I was having coffee with close friends this morning, an IT professional and a theatre director when we got to the subject of how rape scenes were handled by straight directors vs. gay directors. I expressed my opinion that rape scenes are not supposed to be depicted beautifully because rape is essentially an ugly, despicable act. It’s an act of humiliation, aggression and violence. I was already home and a nagging question still lingered within my head:

Has there ever been any beauty queen who worked beyond her official functions and campaigned against sexual violence?

Only one name resonated in my head: the beautiful and courageous Linor Abargil, Miss World 1998.

Nowadays, in between law studies, Linor is actively reaching out to women who were victims of sexual violence under her The Linor Documentary Project, which she formed 10 years after she was crowned Miss World. In collaboration with filmmaker Cecilia Peck she has also finished filming the documentary “Take Back the Night” which aims to, in her own words “increase awareness and create significant change in the perception of rape throughout the world.” Every time she talks to a woman who has undergone the same or worse ordeal as hers, she would always close her eyes, and the memories take her back to the outskirts of Milan where her horrific experience took place with a sexual attacker whom she knew and trusted.


Linor as she competes in Miss Israel

Enticed by the grand prize of a car and a trip to Thailand, 18-year old model Linor Abargil joined the 1998 Miss Israel contest on a whim. 9 months before the Miss World contest, while on a modeling job in Italy, she had her travel arrangements handled by Egyptian-born Israeli travel agent Uri Shlomo. She was supposed to go to Rome for another job but was informed by Shlomo that there were no more available flights to Rome. Shlomo offered to drive her to Rome and she accepted, but upon reaching the outskirts of Milan, she was tied, and raped twice at knifepoint. Fearing for her life, she used a quote she remembered from a movie “This is a one-night stand,” and pleaded to Shlomo not to kill her.

With a promise from her that she won’t tell anyone about the rape, she was dropped at the Milan Train Station where she called her mother about the incident. She then took a train to Rome where she reported the crime to the police before returning to Israel. Shlomo was apprehended but was released a few days later due to lack of evidence. Linor then reported the rape to the Israeli authorities who issued a warrant and proceeded to extradite Shlomo and make him face trial. To lure Shlomo out of the open, authorities advised Linor to keep quiet about the incident. To her it was a painful experience to keep silent about the crime, but worse is that the Miss World pageant is looming near and she has doubts is she should compete.

Upon her mother’s encouragement, she flew to Seychelles where she competed to at least forget about her experience for a while. With her pent-up anger, she couldn’t care enough about the contest, as she thought she was not the most beautiful but she felt the judges seemed to favor her because they thought there was something in her. The 1998 edition did away with the high heels and swimsuit parade before the judges. Instead the women paraded in different sets of clothes, from a casual look to smart party dresses and instead of talking about themselves, the delegates talked about friends and future careers.


L-R, Lina, Linor and Veronique

Despite heavy competition from exquisite beauties from around the world, Linor Abargil was crowned Miss World 1998, with the charming Veronique Caloc of France as 1st Runner-up and the classy Lina Teoh of Malaysia as 2nd runner-up. There were concerns that her military duties might interfere with her reign, but her father was optimistic that the army will permit Linor to continue with her duties as Miss World for a year. However, that moment made Linor understand her mission and that it had chosen her. Fearing that her victory might jeopardize the extradition proceedings against her rapist, she talked to the judges and told them they might have chosen the wrong girl, given her situation. They were very understanding, allowing her to just do some of the media interviews.


Linor's 1999 rape trial

The Italian press however, had a field day and the case of her rape was uncovered but apparently, Shlomo is not a fan of newspapers and was caught trying to enter Israel. 1999 was an unforgettable year for Linor as she had to recount her painful ordeal in front of the judge in the witness stand. Ultimately, on October 1999 Uri Shlomo was convicted to 16 years in prison. There were outbursts from Shlomo claiming that he was treated unfairly by Israeli law and that the Miss World Crown blinded them, but the verdict was upheld. Due to this conviction, cases of rape being reported in Israel increased by 80%.

After the conviction, Linor tried to speak as little of the incident as possible. To heal she studied drama and was cast in the Israeli production of The Blue Room. In 2006 she married Lithuanina basketball star and former Indiana Pacers point guard Sarunas Jasikevicius. After a year, the marriage fell apart and she returned to Israel with a mission: to study law and carry on with her advocacy against rape which she started in 2008. In 2010 she married her 2nd husband Oron Kalfon who was every bit as supportive as her mother in her cause.

This article is quite “personal” for me and I’d like to share to you that the horrors of rape are REAL and are still prevalent around the world. Here’s the current world statistics on it:


Rape is not a 3rd world problem only.

We can see clearly here that rape is a global disease that we need to eradicate. For victims of rape, Linor has this advice:

“The most important thing you can do as a rape survivor is to seek help, I encourage you to call your local rape crisis center, and other organizations that care for rape victims. Your identity will be anonymous there. You need to speak to someone, and even if you can’t turn to your family, at least call for professional help. It’s so important.”


Linor's support system gives her strength to continue and help other rape survivors.

The Linor Documentary Project is already inspiring many women to come forward and report their experiences of sexual violence. Before taking on the project Linor knew that it would mean she migt lose modeling jobs and stigma, but to her surprise, even on work –related travels she gets approached by women who were inspired by her cause. Linor attributes her family’s support especially her mother as key to the progress of her cause. Others were quick to put the blame on her, being a model and beauty queen, but she believes that she was lucky to have a mother who did not care about what their neighbors will say and believed that the fault was not hers but the rapist’s. She has also enriched her Jewish faith and is focusing on her law studies. In 2011 she got pregnant with her first child.


Truly a woman worthy of admiration.

To a lesser queen the crown meant a glamorous life and countless endorsement and modeling deals but to Linor, it meant justice for her and other victims of sexual violence. Linor is indeed a queen who rules.

BEAUTIFUL AND RESILIENT - THE CARIBBEAN QUEENS OF MISS WORLD

Beautiful, exotic, exotic, refreshing - these are some of the adjectives that describe the Caribbean islands and the women that inhabit them as well. Among the Big 4 Pageants, Miss World seems to have honored the women from these islands the most with 6 titleholders. This feature showcases the beauty of the girls of the Caribbean and how they helped to fortify Miss World as one of the grandest TV spectacles on Earth.

“…Feminists owe beauty contests an apology," – Jennifer Hosten, Miss World 1970

Carole Joan Crawford – The Face That Headlined Jamaica’s World Debut

The year was 1963, less than 12 months after gaining full independence, Jamaica, now free of its bonds from Spain, and now Great Britain is ready to face the world. The 2nd largest islands of the Antilles made a great entrance in the world stage when it captured the Miss World crown, through petite Carole Joan Crawford.

Short doesn’t mean helpless

Named after Hollywood actress Joan Crawford, Carole entered the local leg of Miss World upon encouragement by a member of the Jamaica Jaycees. Excited at the prospect of winning the trip to Great Britain, Carole joined and won. As Miss Jamaica she has the honor of being the host of ceremonies at Jamaica’s Independence Ceremony.

Carole was said to regularly correspond with her glamorous namesake

When she took part at Miss World, she was the shortest entrant at 5’3”. Inexperienced at modeling, she was at a disadvantage against the Nordic beauties who were the flavor of that year’s competition, Denmark’s Aino Korwa , Finland’s Marja-Liisa Ståhlberg and Sweden’s Grete Qviberg. Ms. Korwa already finished 1st-runner-up in Miss Universe earlier that year.

These Nordic glamazons were indeed beauties to be reckoned with.

Remembered as a delegate with graceful movements and a face uncharacteristically Jamaican (being only part black, she looks more white), Carole stood tall amongst the other competitors, eventually capturing Jamaica’s and the Caribbean’s first Miss World crown and making history as the first “colored” Miss World. That year Chile, Colombia, Liberia, Malaysia, Mexico, and Nigeria made their debut and Brazil, Liberia and Malaysia placed for the first time. The Nordic beauties were among her runner-ups. Up to this day, Ms. Crawford claimed she won because the contrast between her and the other contests was too great.

Her high-necked, zip-up swimsuit made fashion headlines that time

Her victory gave her national icon status in her country. She met influential people at that time, such as Sir Alexander Bustamante, Donald Sangster, Governor General Sir Clifford Campbell and his wife. Upon her arrival, a ball was held in her honor and earned the distinction of being the 2nd woman being given the key to the City of Kingston, next to Queen Elizabeth II. Up to this day she wears the key as a pendant of a necklace which she wears during special occasions. Postage stamps were also printed and circulated in her honor.

Those days, beauty queens pose for stamps instead of men’s magazines.

Still an inspiration after her reign

After her reign is over, Carole still got invitations to visit Puerto Rico, Barbados and Trinidad. Fans send her samples of her commemorative stamp and she signs them and mails them back. She remained simple despite her great accomplishments and opted to settle in Ottawa, Canada with her husband and children. She is a stark reminder that all the success in the world can make you popular, but it must never change who you are inside.

This queen opted to become a wife and mother after her reign.

Jennifer Josephine Hosten - The Bougainvillea That Bloomed in the Midst of a Hurricane

“…Feminists owe beauty contests an apology," such were the words of one groundbreaking Caribbean woman who defied the odds and became one of the most memorable Miss World titleholders in history. A rare combination of beauty, intelligence, compassion and nationalism for her beautiful island nation of Grenada, she showed the world that not all products of the beauty queen culture are airheads who move on to become fixtures at cocktail parties, but are disciplined women who continue their education and work to have great careers for the benefit of their country.

The Fate of the Two Jennifers

London educated and a former BBC intern, Jennifer was already working as a flight attendant with BWIA (now Caribbean Airlines) when she entered Miss World upon the encouragement of her namesake Miss Guyana, Jennifer Wong who she met by chance. It was destiny for these two women as they would both enter the semifinals.

Did she regret that she pushed Jennifer Hosten to join? Hmm I wonder ...

The Nutmeg Princess and Miss World

Jennifer had her national costume made by Trinidadian Artist Carlisle Chang where she is depicted as a Nutmeg Princess, with dazzling copper nutmeg leaves on her hair. She was particularly proud of her costume that she had to get herself bronzed to be in character. However, the air in London was just dry her skin got blotchy and her tan started to peel away. If not for her big sister Pamela’s quick thinking and a sun lamp, she would’ve looked less of a Miss World and more of a tourist who got too much sunbathing time.

Nutmeg in milk makes you sleep but this nutmeg princess certainly kept the judges awake

Miss World 1970 was one of the most controversial editions as it was marred by protests from feminist groups, branding it as a cattle show, and caused several disruptions. Noisemakers and flour bombs littered the stage as host Bob Hope. Eric Morley had to intervene and had the protesters forcibly removed from the venue. Later Bob returned to the stage and remarked that anyone who tries to disturb such a beautiful event would have to be on some kind of a dope. Nevertheless, in the UK, Miss World 1970 was the single most-watched show of the entire year.

“This is a nice conditioning course for Vietnam,” – Bob Hope joked once the stage was rid of the flour bombs.

Of Bets, Favorites and Apartheid

The contest itself was not only controversial but historical and major beauties of different ethnicities were in attendance from the stunning but shy Miss Guyana, luscious and toothy Miss United Kingdom to bubbly Miss Nicaragua. Bookmakers and betters have their own favorites and the odds were mostly in favor of the Swedish bombshell, Maj Johansson. 2 days prior to the finals, Maj made unsavory comments on the pageant and told the press she would have walked out if she wasn’t under contract with the organizers. After closed door meeting with the organizers, she retracted her comments and described her participation in the pageant as a once-in-a –lifetime experience.

Maj was not only the 7-1 betters’ favorite but the press’ favorite for her controversial remarks.

At that time, the dark shroud of apartheid still loomed over South Africa and it sent two dazzling delegates, one white; Jillian Jessup as Miss South Africa and one black, Pearl Jansen; Miss Africa South. This was met with opposition from other delegates and protesters but Jillian and Pearl appealed to the press not to make a spectacle out of it. Both girls would place in the top 5, Jillian as 4th runner-up and Pearl as 1st runner-up. South Africa would keep this 2-girl policy until 1976 when withdrawals from other contestants cannot be ignored anymore.

“We’re not politicians, but beauty queens,” – Jillian Jessup and Pearl Jansen

The Crown was only the Beginning

Described as a delegate with a regal bearing and quiet dignity, Jennifer was also one of the favorites and Joyce Hopkirk of tabloid The Sun was quoted "A man would be unlikely to turn down a date with the Misses South Africa, Grenada, and Portugal. Jennifer’s victory and Pearl’s runner-up finish was the first in pageant history that 2 black women are in the top 2 positions. This feat would be duplicated later by Miss World 1993 Lisa Hanna of Jamaica and her runner-up Palesa Jacqueline Mofokeng, the first black official delegate of South Africa. Although she was considered by many as the first black Miss World, she graciously credits Miss World 1963 Carole Crawford of Jamaica as the first “colored” Miss World.

She did not only get many date invitations, but 2 marriage proposals as well.

Controversy would later ensue as it was alleged that 4 judges voted Maj as their winner and only two were in favor of Jennifer. Julia Morley stepped down as organizer of the contest and Eric Morley later released the scorecards showing that Jennifer indeed got the majority of the votes. Still it was not enough for some, citing that the presence of Sir Eric Gairy, Grenada’s prime minister in the judging panel swayed judges to vote for Jennifer. Julia was reinstated and the whole hubbub died down.

Sir Eric Gairy was later deposed due to corruption allegations

Grenada’s New Heroine

Jennifer’s homecoming to Grenada was a joyous affair and on the day of her arrival, a national holiday was declared. There was dancing in the streets and hordes of people tried to catch a glimpse of the girl from St. George who put their country in the spotlight. Jennifer would be on the cover of magazines within the Caribbean region and became a celebrity and would even be mentioned in Sparrows’ song “Miss World”.

Attention girls: her brother is a cutie. LOL

Her victory also served as an inspiration to other ebony beauties. Miss Virgin Islands and MU 1971Semifinalist Cherri Creque once said, "I began to believe blacks have a chance in beauty contests when a black girl won Miss World last year." Seven months into her reign, commemorative stamps were printed and issued in her honor. A lesser queen would have been happy with this newfound national heroine status along with a $1,200 tiara, $6,000 in cash, a wardrobe, a screen test if she wants it and the prospect of lucrative personal appearance contracts that can be worth more than $100,000 but Jennifer saw that being Miss World was just the start of a more wonderful but challenging life.

Currently, popularity is measured not by stamps but on how frequently you are featured in TMZ.
Despite the controversy surrounding her victory, Jennifer served an excellent reign as Miss World, touring different countries, and even made an appearance in Australia with the great pianist Liberace. On Christmas 1970 Jennifer joined Bob Hope in his overseas tour of the US Army camps. There she got to sing with Bob much to the delight of the battle-weary servicemen. She was surprised when, on one of the tours, she was not allowed to even talk to the injured South Vietnamese soldiers in hospitals.

If Marilyn Monroe enthralled South Korea, Jennifer charmed South Vietnam

Life after Miss World

Jennifer took up a post as customer service officer at Canada Air, and later met her first husband David Craig. They would set up base in Bermuda until 1973 when they relocated to Canada. Juggling the roles of farm wife, mother of two and customer service officer, in 1978 she got a more serious position as Grenada’s High Commissioner to Canada upon the request of Sir Eric Gairy. She was in New York with Gairy when news broke that Maurice Bishop and his New Jewel Movement had taken over Grenada. Gairy was later deposed and she would continue her work with Maurice, but she later resigned, the promises of Maurice’s revolution were still unfulfilled.

She went back to Air Canada and also went back to school. Her political science master’s thesis opened her eyes to the economic problems of the Caribbean region, and the arrogance of the “Caribbean elite” who gave advice on problems that they themselves caused in the region. She would later take posts as country manager for aid administration in the Ukraine, Pakistan, and most recently Bangladesh, managing Rural Maintenance Programme, in which destitute women worked on rural access roads. Her commitment inspired her daughter Sophia to follow her footsteps in volunteer work. She later retired with her 2nd husband and established a resort hotel, Jenny’s Place in the Grand Anse Beach. 2004’s Hurricane Ivan would damage the resort and the region, prompting Jennifer to setup a UNDP aid network for the region.

She proved that indeed there’s more to life after Miss World

In 2010, she released her memoirs, Beyond Miss World to good reviews. Despite retirement, Jennifer’s life will always be to serve the Caribbean and her beloved Grenada. Truly a woman as beautiful yet as strong as her country’s national flower, the bougainvillea, she has indeed proven her point that feminists owe beauty pageants an apology since she is an example of a beauty queen who lived a life of service during and after her reign.

Wilnelia Merced Cruz – The Sunshine During One of Miss World’s Gloomiest Years

In 1975 the whole beauty pageant enterprise was under the scrutiny of the feminist movement and learning from previous scandal-ridden years, Eric Morley decided to take the helm as chairman of the panel of judges which raised the eyebrows of some national directors and movers within the industry. Nevertheless the pageant pushed through and as the 67 delegates started arriving, the media and bookers were in a frenzy placing bets and weighing the odds on each girl.

Queens but Treated Like Commoners

To attract more positive publicity and public interest, Eric Morley decided to invite former titleholders Kerstin "Kiki" Haakanson of Sweden (1951), Denise Perrier of France (1953), Susana Duijm Zubillaga of Venezuela (1955), Penelope Coelen of South Africa (1958), Corine Rottschafer of Holland (1959), Rosemarie Frankland of United Kingdom (1961), Carole Crawford of Jamaica (1963), Ann Sidney of United Kingdom (1964), Reita Faria of India (1966), and Belinda Green of Australia (1972).

Bottom row L-R: Haakanson, Perrier, Dujim, Coelen
Top row L-R: Rottschafer, Frankland, Crawford, Sidney, Faria and Green

The women were elated that they were invited but soon realized that when you’re a former titlist, you’re regarded less than when you were still the reigning queen. They got no chauffeur service from the airport to the hotel and according to Ms. Coelen “no welcome note or flowers in our respective rooms.” What added to their dismay was that in the pageant proper, they were just given a short introduction each and a few seconds to parade on stage and then hustled back backstage, their wish to have a more significant participation unfulfilled.

Controversy ensued when it was found out that Misses Denmark, Sweden and Germany were not winners of their own national pageants but models scouted by one of the judges, noted photographer Gunnar Larssen. One of them infact just happened to walk into Larssen’s Paris shop and impressed the photographer.

Miss Denmark, Germany and Sweden with Fadil errrr Gunnar Larssen.

Mutiny on the Booty

As the preliminaries went underway, the delegates still did the quarter turns in their swimsuits. Again this was regarded by the feminists as similar to appraising women like cattle. Four French-speaking delegates staged a mutiny and refused to show their backside to the judges and the press.

They call it mutinerie in French right Misses Mauritius, Belgium, France and Luxembourg?

They were Misses Mauritius, Luxembourg, France and Belgium. It was later rumored that their placements were downgraded due to this subversive behavior. Only Miss Mauritius placed in the semifinals. Miss France clapped but a year later won the Miss International title. Due to the courage of these ladies, subsequent competitions no longer used the quarter turns and the winners were no longer crowned in their swimsuits.

Cuba says “No Thank You” to Marisela

Not to be confused with another Caribbean queen, beautiful Marisela Maxie Clark was already a naturalized American by the time she represented Cuba, her country of origin. Her presence was met with opposition by the socialist government and allegedly she was not recognized because Cuba ceased to participate in pageants since Fidel Castro rose to power in 1959. Nevertheless, the Miss World Organization let her stay and compete as representative of free Cuba or Cuba libre. On finals night she finished 4th runner-up.

According to Cuban First Secretary Angel Dalmau: “It is the official policy of a socialist government like Cuba not to give materialistic things to a girl simply because some people may think she is beautiful.”

The Underrated Beauty Takes it All

Dusky and blessed with a rocking body, Wilnelia was one of those favored to just score a placement but not win. In fact, even Eric Morley did not vote for her. He had his eye on Miss Germany and despite his signature deadpan announcement of the winners, can’t keep a straight face after his favorite, Miss Germany only finished 1st runner-up. Later he would thank his lucky stars as Miss Germany's full-frontal nude photo would be splashed all over the papers, MW dodged another bullet. Wilnelia herself was surprised that she won.

Host: Do you like British food?
Willie: Yes

After one last hiccup on her homecoming to Puerto Rico staged by a disgruntled runner-up, Wilnelia or Willie had a peaceful reign. After passing her crown she was signed by Ford Models in 1976. In the 1980 Miss World gala she met game show host Bruce Forsyth whom she later married and had a son. In 1996, her mother Delia Cruz got the franchise for Miss World Puerto Rico and since them has produced 2 2nd runners-up and 6 semifinalists. Since 2003, she has been providing the swimsuit wardrobe for the Miss World Beach Beauty segment.

Already looking the part of a British lady

In 2011 Bruce received Knighthood and Willie was afforded the title Lady. They were special guests in Miss World’s 2011 edition and Willie still maintains good relations with the Miss World Organization. As one of Miss World’s well-loved titleholders Wilnelia Merced is indeed a burst of sunshine.

Cindy Breakspeare – One of the Fairest... and Toughest of Them All

1976 was the year when the feminist movement was in full swing and so was South Africa’s apartheid. Bodybuilder and beauty pageant veteran Cindy Breakspeare was excited at the prospect of entering Miss World after being encouraged by the organizers of the Miss Universe Bikini Contest in London. That time Jamaica, disgusted by South Africa’s two-girl policy withdrew its support. Headstrong Cindy armed with private sponsorship from Ammar's and McMillian Advertising, got the Jamaican government’s nod to represent her island country in Miss World. Tough as she already is, she participated in one of the most difficult years of Miss World.

Disheartened but not intimidated

The dark shroud of apartheid was too much to bear for many countries that 9 delegates never stayed until the finals night, as their respective governments ordered them to return home. They were Misses Seychelles, Swaziland, Philippines, Malaysia, Yugoslavia, Sri Lanka, India, Mauritius and Liberia. Trinidad and Tobago also withdrew their support but their delegate decided to stay and compete. Cindy recounts that many girls were disheartened by the withdrawals and many still threatened to quit but never got round to leaving. By finals night 60 delegates remained and the pageant resumed. The withdrawal of the 9 courageous delegates were not in vain though, as they sent a clear message to the Miss World Organization and 1976 would be the last year that South Africa’s 2-girl policy would be allowed.

The 9 courageous beauties who ended apartheid’s influence on the beauty pageant industry

Winning the contest was an entirely different affair as Cindy entered the top 5 with 4 other gorgeous women. She has always thought her fit body and her desire to win the crown got through to the judges and she was elected as the world’s most beautiful icon for the year and will embody “Beauty with a Purpose”.

According to Cindy she won coz she felt she wanted it more than the other women in the contest.

When she got home, it was a stark departure from Carole Crawford’s 1963 homecoming celebration. The government frowned at beauty pageants and her arrival was made as low-key as possible.

Despite a cool homecoming, was hot and ready to go and fulfill her duties

Despite this overwhelming disappointment, Cindy went on and had a trouble-free reign. Her tour of the 7 continents her to homes for the aged, homes for the retarded, facilities for under privileged children, charity events, fashion shows, and luncheons. She thought the current Miss Worlds have a savvier lifestyle and get more sponsorship deals where the real money is after the reign is over. Although she was regarded as one of the most beautiful title holders in history, Cindy’s life will get more interesting after she passes the crown to her successor.

Life and Love with a Music Legend

When Cindy met Bob Marley she thought he was this old school boy who lived upstairs. Later on they would talk more about life, society, her future plans. It was said that he dedicated two songs for Cindy and the first was “Turn Your Lights Down Low” as Bob always went down to her apartment at night, look sideways to make sure no one was looking and then knock. There was a sort of 3-year courtship and Cindy remembered Bob’s gentle manner and very simple, yet disarming gifts, like a mango, or he would just simply sit at the foot of the stairs at the back of her apartment and strum his guitar. It was believed that “Waiting in Vain” was composed by Bob to mirror his feelings during those 3 years. Cindy inevitably became Bob’s girl and later gave birth to their son Damian.

Bob certainly didn’t wait in vain as he fathered the son of this West Indian beauty

Recounting her life with Bob, Cindy thought Bob was one of those guys that you never really get to see all the time, but she shared this special relationship with him. She supported him as much as he supported her in her singing aspirations and in procuring tools for her ItalCraft store. When Bob got terminally ill, she made sure she was there with Damian.

After Bob died, Cindy went on and got married twice. Still in the thick of things, being a grandmother to 4 granchildren, singer and Jamaican beauty icon. It was said that after the 70s was over, Miss World was already tough as nails and no other scandal would be able to topple it down.

No slowing down for the cool grandmother of 4

Mariasela Alvarez Lebron – Dominican Republic's Ticket to the World Stage

If the 70’s primed Miss World for protests and scandals, the 80s showed that times are indeed changing and the previous pageant superpowers are starting to find the smaller lesser countries stepping up their game. Reluctant delegate Mariasela Alvarez went on to win the blue crown and introduced her country, Dominican Republic to the world. Architecture student Mariasela’s father had to be approached four times by the organizers of the local leg of Miss World to allow her to join. When he finally agreed Mariasela has just completed a tour of Europe.

The Odds against Cleopatra and Pageant Veterans

Mariasela competed with 67 other beauties, among them Misses Indonesia and Turks and Caicos who were their respective country’s first delegates to Miss World. The year’s heavy favorite was Althea Rocke of Trinidad and Tobago who was nicknamed “Cleopatra” by the British press for her braided hair. Miss Germany, Kerstin Natalie Paeserack a photographer’s favorite was also a semifinalist in Miss Universe earlier that year.

These dazzling women gave Mariasela a scare for the crown.

The 5’10 brunette was a 20:1 odd to bookmakers but it pretty much improved 10:1 once she entered the semifinals. Her innate charm, class and beauty worked to her advantage and despite the presence of 7 pageant veterans in the semifinals, she was ultimately elected as Miss World 1982.

Class is after all in the blood as Mariasela showed them all.

Mariasela’s victory was met with opposition from Miss Germany who alleged that Miss “Virgin” World chooses virgins to “trot around the world visiting hospitals.” To which she replied with class “I’m a virgin and will remain so until I’m married. I may not be the most beautiful, but I think I am the most complete.” She had a peaceful reign and successfully passed her crown to her successor.

She certainly looks hot wearing the crown or wearing those shorts.

Maeiasela - The Complete Woman

Mariasela returned to her studies and later on as a licensed architect designed many buildings most notably one of Santo Domingo’s landmarks, Torre Cristal. She also dabbled in broadcast media with hosting and later owning her own broadcast network. She also created the Eva de Lebron Fernandez Foundation in honor of her mother and Casa Rosada to care for orphans and children with HIV. Mariasela has proven herself a beauty queen, architect, wife, mother and philanthropist – more or less a complete woman worthy of respect.

The lady blooms into a multimedia entrepreneur

Giselle Jeanne-Marie Laronde – Trinidad’s most beautiful endorser for the carnival

Giselle ‘s lifestyle never really gave away her real passion. Who would think that a 5’5 secretary who works 8 hours a day saving up for future education would even think of pursuing a career in modeling? Her friends saw differently though, they thought Giselle is a beauty and that she should join the Miss World pageant. After a hard-earned approval from her dad, her friends bought her th gown and the swimsuit that she would wear to the pageant.

Miss World to Hollywood

Come finals night she was up against two equally stunning black delegates in the semifinals, Miss Swaziland, Illana Faye who gave her country’s highest finish in any international pageant, and Miss USA, Halle Berry who’s scene-stealing antics divided people into lovers and haters. She wore a swimsuit with star and striped as her national costume which got the ire of some delegates who wore more conservative costumes, such as Miss Holland who was clothed and wearing traditional Dutch clogs. The judges loved Halle enough to send her to the semifinals however, that was as fas as she could go. Much much later she would get her own shining moment on stage, not as a beauty queen but as Academy Award Best Actress.

Less hairspray and a less glittery dress made Halle’s winning night a classy affair.

How Cliff Richard made her night memorable

Up to this day Giselle thought her victory was a complete surprise and you can’t blame her, as she’s up against not just one but two equally stunning black beauties. She recalls one moment when all delagates attended Cliff Richard’s musical and she was the one called up onstage by Richards himself to join and be interview with him. In finals night her poise and grace got her through and as was claimed by one judge, her that night was the best as she seemed to glide onstage. Before the night ended the blue tiara was rested firmly on her head and she was proclaimed the new Miss World.

From photographer’s favorite to Cliff Richard’s favorite.

Her year was full of activity and she became a celebrity in her native Trinidad and Tobago. The new Miss World wasted no time in inviting the world to the Carnival festivities. In her honor commemorative stamps were also printed and released, as she was her country’s first and only Miss World. Seeing many of her family members and friends succumb to the dreaded C, she became active in supporting her country’s Cancer Society. When she passed her title to her successodr she already has goals set in her mind.

Those days stamps were a measure a honoring someone’s accomplishments. Now it’s being in a reality show. LOL

After completing her reign, she used her prize money to finish her studies at Goldsmith's College, University of London in England. When she got home, she already had a job waiting for her. Being a 2nd degree black belter, she has also competed in the SKIF 10th anniversary karate world championships in Athens and placed fourth, just missing the bronze in the kata division in my age group. She was also a founding Board Member of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) of Trinidad and Tobago, and past president. The IABC promotes best practices in new media, social media and writing skills. Currently her family is her focus and her experiences at Miss World helped her a lot to understand her 2 sons in explaining the issues facing the told. She’s still a celebrity in the Caribbean region and will continue to be as she still lends her glamorous presence to events and even magazine covers, truly a memorable queen to be loved and respected.

She still looks good to land magazine covers.

Lisa Hanna – The Miss World in Action

Lisa joined the Miss Jamaica pageant upon finishing high school and completing her A-levels. Already a TV-presenter and a black-belt karate instructor, she never thought of herself as beautiful or fashionable. Upon the prodding of friends she joined and won and represented Jamaica at Miss World.

Confident but under heavy competition

She went to Sun City not just to represent her island country but to conquer her fears. She was up against the articulate Palesa Jacqueline Mofokeng, South Africa’s first black official delegate after its return to the Miss World stage, and Victoria Silvsvedt, a Swedish blond who would crack the Top 10 but would be more famous later in a different facet of the beauty business as she became a fashion model and 1996’s Playboy Playmate of the Year and reality TV star.

From Miss World to Playboy to her own reality show, Victoria has come a long way

Not backing out, Lisa pushed through, her inner charm and determination showing trough as she advanced through the stages of the competition. She though Miss South Africa would win, as the victory would be an entry in the history books, but when she was announced as the winner, she thought she got it in the Q&A where she felt she spoke in a way that made people feel at ease and could relate to her. Miss Philippines came in 2nd runner up and heralded the return of the Asian country in the Miss World stage and Miss South Africa was 1st runner-up. There were rumors that Jacqueline stepped down due to allegations of pregnancy; however it was not officially confirmed.

The West Indian beauty was just regal in her white dress

Lisa wasted no time in fulfilling her duties as Miss World, appearing as an honored quest in establishment openings and visiting charitable institutions. She had the honor of meeting world leaders Nelson Mandela and Fidel Castro. During this time she was able to identify the problems plaguing her beloved Jamaica and Caribbean.

I wonder if she uses the red car she won on official functions

She was one of those beauty queens who did not stay as beauty queens. She felt that she would be of better service as a voice not just of women but of her constituents. She ran for a parliament seat in Jamaica and is now a Member of Parliament of South East St. Ann. She claims her Miss Word experience taught her that the world is full of opportunities. She is a visionary, and she is working on continuing as her people’s representative in Parliament and dreams that someday Jamaica would grow out of its debt and that the Caribbean integration as one economy would be a reality. She is indeed not just a woman of beauty but a woman of substance.

Dayum! She looked classy in that yellow dress

We have to give credit to these Caribbean queens since they reigned at Miss World’s most difficult times and they helped prime the Miss World Organization on future controversies and challenges. They also broke the race barrier in Miss World and the monopoly of European countries winning the crown. They are living testaments that you don’t have to be a model, or a delegate from a large, influential country to be a Miss World titleholder. These women had serious competition when they joined the pageant and may not be the most beautiful, but the judges saw what others failed to see. It’s really the inner personality that always shines through, a woman’s inner beauty, her innate class and her sincere desire and commitment to make a difference in the world and be the bridge between the people and the Miss World Organization.

Indeed feminists owe them an apology, for they are not stereotypical beauty queens, they are beauties with a purpose.

Thank you. Happy reading!