Miss World Trivia

• The winner of the first Miss World contest was Sweden's Kerstin Hakansson, who was chosen from 26 contestants and received a cheque for £1,000 and a pearl necklace along with the Miss World title. Kerstin was the first and the last winner to wear a bikini.
• In 1967, Misses Finland, Denmark, Italy, Lebanon and New Zealand were advised to take bed rest for health reasons. However, all of them appeared in the line-up on stage.
• The shortest reign as Miss World was that of 18-year-old Gabriella Brum of West Germany. She was crowned the thirtieth Miss World in 1980 but resigned just after 18 hours.
• Eleven Miss World finalists have been Bond Girls. To assist James Bond, casting directors across the world have looked at the Miss World alumni.
• Three countries have successfully held the Miss World title for consecutive years: Sweden in 1951 and 1952 United Kingdom in 1964 and 1965 India in 1999 and 2000.
• Elizabeth Chovinsky, the fourth runner-up in Miss World 1953, was the only citizen of Monaco ever to make it to the finalists' line up in a major international beauty pageant.
• Lynda Carter, USA, did not go beyond the semi finals in 1972. However, thanks to a popular television series of the same name, she became more popular than the winner Belinda Roma Green of Australia.
• Since its beginning in 1951, the Miss World pageant has registered more than 3,500 national winners and currently receives approximate 1 million entries per year across the world. It is the most coveted title in global beauty pageants.
• Aishwarya Rai, the second Miss World from India, held the title in 1994. That same year, another Indian, Sushmita Sen, was Miss Universe.
• From 1980 the contestants were judged on personality and intelligence as well as looks.

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