Miriam Stevenson Explained

Miriam Stevenson
Nationalcompetition:Miss South Carolina 1953
(Winner)
Miss America 1954
(Top 10)
Miss South Carolina USA 1954
(Winner)
Miss USA 1954
(Winner)
Miss Universe 1954
(Winner)
Miss South Carolina 1953
Miss South Carolina USA 1954
Miss USA 1954
Miss Universe 1954
Birth Name:Miriam Jacqueline Stevenson
Education:Lander University
Height:[1]
Hair Color:Brown
Eye Color:Blue
Spouse:Donald Upton
Children:2

Miriam Jacqueline Stevenson[2] (born 1932 or 1933) is an American former actress, television host, model and beauty queen who was crowned Miss Universe 1954. She was the first American to win the title and had previously been crowned Miss USA 1954. Prior to Miss USA, Stevenson was Miss South Carolina USA 1954. She also represented South Carolina in Miss America 1954 after winning Miss South Carolina 1953, where she placed in the top ten.

At Miss Universe, Stevenson received a tied final score with Martha Rocha of Brazil. In order to break the tie, the woman deemed to have the better physique was crowned the winner, due to a major sponsor of the pageant being Catalina Swimwear. This was determined to be Stevenson, due to having "fitter" hips than Rocha. She was crowned Miss Universe by outgoing titleholder Christiane Martel of France.[3] At the end of her reign, she crowned Hillevi Rombin of Sweden as Miss Universe 1955.

Notes and References

  1. News: South Carolina's Miriam Stevenson Wins "Miss Universe"; Miss Brazil Second. Spokane Daily Chronicle. July 24, 1954. April 19, 2019.
  2. Riverol, Armando (1992). Live from Atlantic City: The History of the Miss America Pageant Before, After and in Spite of Television. Bowling Green, OH: Bowling Green State University Popular Press. p. 47. .
  3. Web site: Judges are hep to hips. The Miami News. August 1, 2011.