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Miss World facts for kids

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For the most recent competition, see Miss World 2023. For other uses, see Miss World (disambiguation).
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Miss World
Miss World logo.svg
Type International women's beauty pageant
Headquarters London, United Kingdom
First edition 1951
Most recent edition 2023
Current titleholder Krystyna Pyszková
Czech Republic
Founder
 Eric Morley
President
 Julia Morley
Language/s English

Miss World is the oldest existing international beauty pageant. It was created in the United Kingdom by Eric Morley in 1951. Since his death in 2000, Morley's widow, Julia Morley, has co-chaired the pageant. Along with Miss Universe, Miss International, and Miss Earth, it is one of the Big Four beauty pageants.

The current Miss World is Krystyna Pyszková of the Czech Republic who was crowned on 9 March 2024 in Mumbai, India.

History

20th century

Eric Morley announced the Miss World winners in the order No. 3, No. 2 and No. 1. This was intended to keep the tension up, and avoid the anticlimax if Nos. 2 and 3 are announced after the winner.

In 1959, the BBC began to broadcast the pageant. Its popularity grew with the advent of television. During the 1960s and 1970s, Miss World was among the most watched programs of the year on British television. In 1970, the contest in London was disrupted by women's liberation protesters armed with flour bombs, stink bombs, and water pistols loaded with ink. The 1970 contest was also controversial when South Africa sent two contestants (one black and one white). Henceforth, South Africa was banned from the contest until apartheid was abolished. More than 18 million people watched the pageant at its peak during the late 1970s and early 1980s.

In the 1980s, the pageant repositioned itself with the slogan "Beauty With a Purpose", with added tests of intelligence and personality. In 1984, BBC1 controller Michael Grade announced that the corporation would cease to broadcast beauty pageants the next January, after it had shown Miss Great Britain, saying, "I believe these contests no longer merit national air time." He added, "They are an anachronism in this day and age of equality and verging on the offensive.'' Thames Television broadcast Miss World between 1980 and 1988, when ITV dropped it.

During the early 1990s, mainstream television broadcasts of the event declined in popularity after it became "increasingly unfashionable" in the late 1980s. The pageant returned on satellite channel Sky One in 1997, before moving to Channel 5 for three years (1998–2000).

Eric Morley died in 2000, and his wife, Julia, succeeded him as chair of the Miss World organisation.

21st century

The first black African Miss World winner, Agbani Darego of Nigeria, was crowned in 2001. As part of its marketing strategy, Miss World came up with a "Vote For Me" television special during that edition, featuring the delegates behind the scenes and on the beach, and allowing viewers to phone in or vote online for their favourites. It also sells broadcasters its Talent, Beach Beauty and Sports events as television specials. ITV broadcast the 2001 pageant from South Africa on digital channel ITV2, with the special airing a week earlier on the main ITV channel.

In 2002, the pageant was slated to host its final in Abuja, Nigeria. This choice was controversial, as a northern Nigerian woman, Amina Lawal, was awaiting death under Sharia law there, but Miss World used the publicity surrounding its presence to bring greater global awareness and action to Lawal's plight. No British channel agreed to broadcast the event, and there were objections to the contest.

Former Miss World Aishwarya Rai attended the Miss World 2014 ceremony with her husband Abhishek Bachchan, daughter Aaradhya and mother Brinda Rai. The pageant has been broadcast on local TV channel London Live since 2014.

Miss World Organization

Ivian sar.
Ivian Sarcos, Miss World 2011 at a school in Mumbai, India

The Miss World Organization owns and manages the annual Miss World Finals, a competition that has grown into one of the world's biggest. Since its launch in 1951, the Miss World organisation has raised more than £1 billion for children's charities that help disabled and underprivileged children. Miss World is franchised in more than 100 countries.

1970s–1990s

The Miss World pageant has been the target of many controversies since its inception.

  • In 1970, feminist protesters threw flour bombs during the live event at London's Royal Albert Hall, momentarily alarming the host, Bob Hope.
  • The 1973 winner, Marjorie Wallace, was stripped of her title on 8 March 1974 because she had failed to fulfill the basic requirements of the job. Miss World's organizers did not elect someone to serve in her place.
  • In 1976, several countries boycotted the pageant because it included both a white and a Black contestant from South Africa. South Africa competed for the last time in 1977, before returning in 1991 as apartheid disintegrated.
  • The 1980 winner, Gabriella Brum of Germany, resigned one day after winning, initially claiming her boyfriend disapproved.

Nigeria 2002

Main article: Miss World 2002

In the year leading up the finals in Nigeria, several European title holders lobbied their governments and the EU parliament to support Amina Lawal's cause. A number of contestants followed the lead of Kathrine Sørland of Norway in boycotting the contest (despite the controversy, Sørland became a semifinalist in both the Miss World and Miss Universe contests), while others, such as Costa Rica, were instructed by their national governments and parliaments not to attend. Among the other boycotting nations were Denmark, Spain, Switzerland, Panama, Belgium and Kenya. There was further controversy over the possibly suspended participation of France and South Africa, which might or might not have been due to the boycott. Lawal asked that contestants not suspend their participation in the contest, saying that it was for the good of her country and that they could, as the representative of Sweden had earlier remarked, make a much stronger case for her on the ground in Nigeria.

Despite the increasing international profile the boycott was garnering in the world press, the contest proceeded in Nigeria after being rescheduled to avoid taking place during Ramadan, with many prominent nations sending delegates. Osmel Sousa of Venezuela, one of the world's most influential national directors, said, "there is no question about it [the participation of Miss Venezuela in the contest]." But the trouble did not end there. A ThisDay (Lagos, Nigeria) newspaper editorial suggesting that Muhammad would probably have chosen one of his wives from among the contestants had he been alive to see it resulted in inter-religious riots that started on 22 November in which over 200 people were killed in the city of Kaduna and many houses of worship were burned by religious zealots. Because of these riots, the 2002 pageant was moved to London, following widely circulated reports that Canada's and Korea's representatives had withdrawn from the contest and returned to their respective countries out of safety concerns. Upon the pageant's return to Britain, many of the boycotting contestants chose to attend, including Miss Norway, Kathrine Sørland, who was ironically tipped in the last few days as the favourite for the crown she had previously boycotted.

The eventual winner of the pageant was Azra Akın of Turkey, the first predominantly Muslim country to hold the title since Egypt in 1954.

Indonesia 2013

Main article: Miss World 2013

In Miss World 2013, protests by Islamic groups began a few weeks before the contest began, resulting in the pageant's finale and all pre-pageant activities being isolated to Hindu-majority Bali.

China 2015

Main article: Miss World 2015

Anastasia Lin, Miss World Canada, was not given a visa to travel in China and hence missed the official deadline of 20 November 2015 for entry to the 2015 pageant, and was declared persona non grata by the Chinese Embassy in Ottawa for openly criticizing China's human rights violations. The Miss World Organization later allowed her to compete at Miss World 2016.

Thailand 2020 and cancellation

See also: COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand

After the 2019 pageant, the organization chose Thailand as the host country of Miss World 2020, to be held in Phuket. But due to the spread of COVID-19, most national organizations and the Miss World organization agreed to cancel the 2020 pageant to assure the delegates' safety.

Puerto Rico 2021 and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

Main article: Miss World 2021
See also: COVID-19 pandemic in Puerto Rico

The edition was originally scheduled for the end of 2020 but postponed indefinitely due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. On 8 March 2021, the date was set for 16 December 2021. The threat of the Omicron variant had already been detected in some parts of the world during the pre-pageant activities, as the disease started swept across the island. On 14 December, Miss World Indonesia Carla Yules tested positive for COVID-19. As a precaution, her roommate Miss World India Manasa Varanasi and five others were classified as suspected cases. Miss World Organization chair Julia Morley confirmed that the delegates were isolated and quarantined and would not be onstage for the final show if they did not produce a negative PCR test. On 15 December, the Puerto Rico Department of Health confirmed 17 positive cases for COVID-19 related to the Miss World pageant activities, including contestants and technical personnel. On 16 December, it was announced that Miss World Malaysia Lavanya Sivaji had tested positive for COVID-19. She was required to be isolated for 10 days and not permitted onstage during the finals. The finale, originally slated for 16 December, was postponed. During a 16 December Puerto Rico Department of Health press conference, epidemiologist Melissa Marzán confirmed 15 staff and 23 contestant positive cases associated with Miss World. She added that pageant organizers, not the island's authorities, decided to postpone. The rescheduled 70th Miss World pageant took place on 16 March 2022, at Puerto Rico's José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum.

Recent titleholders

For full list and details, see List of Miss World titleholders.
Year Representing Miss World National Title Location Number of Entrants
2019  Jamaica Toni-Ann Singh Miss Jamaica World 2019 London, England 111
2020 No pageant held due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021  Poland Karolina Bielawska Miss Polonia 2019 San Juan, Puerto Rico 97
2022 No pageant held due to the delay of the 2021 pageant
2023  Czech Republic Krystyna Pyszková Miss Czech Republic 2022 Mumbai, India 112

Winners gallery

Fast-track events

Fast-track events of Miss World is a set of competition to decide the semifinalist or the placement of Miss World. Fast-track events was one of deciding factor to choose semifinalist beside Preliminary Interview by combining those rounds with using points system table. Prior to 2016 the winner of the fast-track events received huge amount of points but not securing semifinalist spot, however since 2016 the points system table in fast-track were abolished. Since then the winners of the "fast-track" competitions automatically make it to the quarter- or semifinals. The Miss World fast-track categories are: Beauty With a Purpose, Multimedia Challenge, Sports Challenge, Talent, and Top Model. Miss World Talent added in 2001, Miss World Sports added in 2003, Miss World Top Model added in 2004, Miss World Beauty With a Purpose added in 2005, and Miss World Multimedia added in 2012. There was a fast-track named Miss World Beach Beauty (2003–2015) but it is a discontinued event due to dissatisfaction and cons in many conservative countries, this event was replacing Miss World Best in Swimsuit.

Miss World Beauty With a Purpose

The Beauty with a Purpose is an event established in 1972 that is celebrated before the Miss World pageant. It awards the contestant with the most relevant and important charity project in her nation. The first winner of Beauty With a Purpose was Miss World Korea 2005 Oh Eun-young. Miss World 2017 Manushi Chhillar is the first and only Beauty With a Purpose recipient to win Miss World.

Year Winner Country Placement at Miss World
2005 Oh Eun-young  South Korea Top 6
2006 Lamisi Mbillah  Ghana Top 17
2007 Valeska Saab  Ecuador Top 16
Kayi Cheung  Hong Kong Top 16
2008 Gabrielle Walcott  Trinidad and Tobago 2nd Runner-up
2009 Pooja Chopra  India Top 16
2010 Natasha Metto  Kenya Top 25
2011 Astrid Yunadi  Indonesia Top 15
Stephanie Karikari  Ghana
2012 Vanya Mishra  India Top 7
2013 Ishani Shrestha  Nepal Top 10
2014 Julia Gama  Brazil Top 11
Rafieya Husain  Guyana Top 11
Koyal Rana  India Top 11
Maria Rahajeng  Indonesia Top 25
Idah Nguma  Kenya Top 11
2015 Maria Harfanti  Indonesia 2nd Runner-up
2016 Natasha Mannuela Halim  Indonesia 2nd Runner-up
2017 Manushi Chhillar  India Miss World 2017
Achintya Holte Nilsen  Indonesia Top 10
Laura Lehmann  Philippines Top 40
Adè van Heerden  South Africa Top 10
Đỗ Mỹ Linh  Vietnam Top 40
2018 Shrinkhala Khatiwada  Nepal Top 12
2019 Anushka Shrestha  Nepal Top 12
2021 Rehema Muthamia  England Top 40
Manasa Varanasi  India Top 13
Sharon Obara  Kenya Top 40
Tracy Perez  Philippines Top 13
Shudufhadzo Musida  South Africa Top 40
Shree Saini  United States 1st Runner-up
2023 Leticía Frota  Brazil Top 8

Miss World Talent

Miss World Talent is a talent or fast-track competition in which contestants show their abilities in singing, dancing, poetry, etc. Introduced in Miss World 1978, the winner of the event automatically makes it into the semifinals starting 2016. The award returned at Miss World 2001.

Year Winner Represented Placement at Miss World
2001 Stephanie Chase  Barbados
2002 Rebekah Revels  United States Top 10
2003 Irina Onashvili  Georgia Top 20
2004 Shermain Jeremy  Antigua and Barbuda Top 15
2005 Kmisha Counts  US Virgin Islands Top 15
2006 Catherine Jean Milligan  Northern Ireland Top 17
2007 Irene Dwomoh  Ghana Top 15
2008 Natalie Griffith  Barbados Top 15
2009 Lena Ma  Canada 4th Runner-up
Mariatu Kargbo  Sierra Leone Top 16
2010 Emma Britt Waldron  Ireland 3rd Runner-up
2011 Gabriela Pulgar  Chile Top 20
2012 Yu Wenxia  China Miss World 2012
2013 Vania Larissa  Indonesia Top 10
2014 Dewi Liana Seriestha  Malaysia Top 25
2015 Lisa Punch  Guyana Top 11
2016 Bayartsetseg Altangerel  Mongolia Top 11
2017 Michela Galea  Malta Top 40
2018 Kanako Date  Japan Top 30
2019 Toni-Ann Singh  Jamaica Miss World 2019
2021 Burte-Ujin Anu  Mongolia Top 40
2023 Imen Mehrzi  Tunisia Top 40

Miss World Top Model

The Miss World Top Model is a modeling fast-track competition. It was first held in 2004, but not in 2005–2006. It has been held since 2007; since 2016 the winner of the competition automatically qualifies for the semifinals.

Year Winner Represented Placement at Miss World
2004 Yessica Ramírez Flag of Mexico.svg Mexico Top 15
2007 Zhang Zilin  China Miss World 2007
2008 Ksenia Sukhinova  Russia Miss World 2008
2009 Perla Beltrán Flag of Mexico.svg Mexico 1st Runner-up
2010 Mariann Birkedal  Norway Top 7
2011 Zhanna Zhumaliyeva  Kazakhstan Top 15
2012 Atong Demach  South Sudan Top 7
2013 Megan Young  Philippines Miss World 2013
2014 Isidora Borovčanin  Bosnia and Herzegovina
2015 Mireia Lalaguna  Spain Miss World 2015
2016 Jing Kong  China Top 11
2017 Ugochi Ihezue  Nigeria Top 15
2018 Maëva Coucke  France Top 12
2019 Nyekachi Douglas  Nigeria Top 5
2021 Olivia Yacé  Cote d'Ivoire 2nd Runner-up
2023 Axelle René  Martinique Top 40

Miss World Sports Challenge

Miss World Sports or Sportswoman is a title and award given to the winner of a sports event at Miss World. It is a fast-track or preliminary event, giving the winner automatic entry into the semifinals. In 2005, there was no Miss Sports winner because it was held as a continental team competition. Starting in 2006, the individual competition returned.

Year Winner Represented Placement at Miss World
2003 Nazanin Afshin-Jam  Canada 1st Runner Up
2004 Amy Guy  Wales Top 15
2005 Asia-Pacific Asia Team Challenge
2006 Malgosia Majewska  Canada Top 17
2007 Abigail McCarry  United States Top 15
2008 Alexandra Ívarsdóttir+  Iceland+ Top 15
2009 Erusa Sasaki  Japan Top 16
2010+ Lori Moore+  Northern Ireland+ Top 25
2011 Marianly Tejeda  Dominican Republic
2012 Sanna Jinnedal  Sweden Top 30
2013 Jacqueline Steenbeek+  Netherlands+ Top 20
2014+ Krista Haapalainen+  Finland+ Top 25
2015 Steffi Van Wyk+  Namibia+
2016 Natalia Short  Cook Islands Top 20
2017 Aletxa Mueses  Dominican Republic Top 40
2018 Marisa Butler  United States Top 30
2019 Rikkiya Brathwaite  British Virgin Islands Top 40
2021 Karolina Vidales  Mexico Top 6
2023 Lucija Begić  Croatia Top 40

Miss World Beach Beauty (Discontinued Event)

Miss World Beach Beauty was a swimsuit or fast-track competition. The Beach Beauty event started in 2003, when the Miss World Organization first held fast-track events to automatically give a semifinal spot to some of the delegates. This event allowed the Miss World delegates (over 100) to have a chance to be in the semifinals. The winner made the semifinals automatically. The Beach Beauty event showcased different swimsuits designed by Miss World 1975, Wilnelia Merced. In 2015, the organisation eliminated the swimsuit competition from the pageant.

Year Winner Represented Placement at Miss World
2003 Rosanna Davison  Ireland Miss World 2003
2004 Nancy Randall  United States 2nd Runner-up
2005 Yulia Ivanova  Russia Top 15
2006 Federica Guzmán  Venezuela Top 17
2007 Ada De La Cruz  Dominican Republic Top 16
2008 Anagabriela Espinoza Flag of Mexico.svg Mexico Top 15
2009 Kaiane Aldorino  Gibraltar Miss World 2009
2010 Yara Lasanta  Puerto Rico Top 25
2011 Alize Lily Mounter  England Top 7
2012 Sophie Moulds  Wales 1st Runner-up
2013 Sancler Frantz  Brazil Top 6
2014 Olivia Asplund  Sweden Top 25

Miss World hosts and artists

The following is a list Miss World hosts and invited artists through the years.

Year Hosts Artists
1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958 Eric Morley
1959 Bob Hope
1960 Bob Hope Herald Trumpeters of the Royal Artillery
1961 1962, David Coleman, Peter West Bob Hope
1963 Peter West
1964 Michael Aspel
1965 David Jacobs, Michael Aspel Ronnie Carroll, Lionel Blair
1966 Peter West, Michael Aspel The Three Monarchs, Mark Wynter
1967 Simon Dee, Michael Aspel Malcolm Roberts, Los Zafiros
1968 Michael Aspel, commentary by Keith Fordyce Gene Pitney
1969 Michael Aspel, Pete Murray Frank Ifield, The Roy Budd Trio, Lionel Blair
1970 Bob Hope, Michael Aspel, Keith Fordyce Lionel Blair
1971, 1972, 1973, 1974 Michael Aspel and David Vine
1975 David Vine and Ray Moore
1976 Sacha Distel, Patrick Lichfield, and Ray Moore
1977 Andy Williams, and Ray Moore
1978 Sacha Distel and Paul Burnett
1979 Sacha Distel, Esther Rantzen, Germaine Greer and Ray Moore
1980 Peter Marshall, Judith Chalmers and Anthony Newley Anthony Newley and The Dougie Squires Dancers
1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985 Peter Marshall and Judith Chalmers
1981 – Julio Iglesias and The Dougie Squires Dancers
1982 – The Three Degrees
1983 – Leo Sayer and The Ken Warwick Dancers
1984 – The Drifters and The Ken Warwick Dancers
1985 – Jack Jones and The Ken Warwick Dancers
1986 Peter Marshall and Mary Stävin Five Star and The Ken Warwick Dancers
1987 Peter Marshall and Alexandra Bastedo Rick Astley and The Ken Warwick Dancers
1988 Peter Marshall and Alexandra Bastedo Koreana and Donny Osmond
1989 Peter Marshall, Alexandra Bastedo and John Davidson Aswad
1990 Peter Marshall and Michelle Rocca Jason Donovan and Richard Clayderman
1991 Peter Marshall and Gina Tolleson
1992 Billy Dee Williams, Jerry Hall, Deborah Shelton, Doreen Morris and Suanne Braun Abigail Kubheka, Sophia Foster, MarcAlex, Mara Louw, Paul Buckby, Malie Kelly, Leslie Klein-Smith and Soweto String Quartet
1993 Pierce Brosnan, Doreen Morris, Kim Alexis and Gina Tolleson George Benson, Crissy Caine, Jon Cecil, Sam Marais, PJ Powers and Vicky Sampson
1994 Richard Steinmetz, Suanne Braun and Bronson Pinchot David Abbate, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Johnny Clegg, Free Flight Dance Company and Ladysmith Black Mambazo
1995 Richard Steinmetz, Jeff Trachta and Bobbie Eakes Caught in the Act
1996 Richard Steinmetz and Ruby Bhatia Alisha Chinnai
1997 Richard Steinmetz and Khanyi Dhlomo Mkhize Ricky Martin
1998 Eden Harel and Ronan Keating Boyzone and Errol Brown
1999 Ulrika Jonsson and Melanie Sykes Robert Palmer, Westlife and Enrique Iglesias
2000 Jerry Springer and Rebecca de Alba Bryan Ferry, bond, Leonard Cohen and S Club 7
2001 Jerry Springer and Claire Elizabeth Smith Umoja
2002 Sean Kanan and Claire Elizabeth Smith Chayanne and BBMak
2003 Phil Keoghan, Amanda Byram and Angela Chow Luis Fonsi, Bryan Ferry, Morrissey and Wuhan Acrobatic Troupe
2004 Troy McClain, Angela Chow and Lisa Snowdon Lionel Richie and Il Divo
2005 Tim Vincent and Angela Chow Alexander O’Neal and Beijing Singing & Dancing Theatre
2006 Tim Vincent, Angela Chow and Grazyna Torbicka Westlife, Robin Gibb and Amici
2007 Fernando Allende and Angela Chow Duncan James, Haikou Artistic Group, The South African Mvezo Choir and No. 9 Primary School of Sanya
2008 Tumisho Masha and Angela Chow McFly, Alesha Dixon, Jeanette Winterson
2009 Angela Chow, Michelle McLean Umoja, Gang of Instrumentals
2010 Angela Chow, Steve Douglas Shayne Ward, Dave Koz, Carlos Aponte
2011 Angela Chow, Jason Cook, Steve Douglas Diversity, Blue, Ramin Karimloo
2012 Myleene Klass, Jason Cook, Lily Wu, Ni Ran Mutu, Steve Douglas Rodrick Dixon, Huhehaote Youth Horse Cello Troupe
2013 Myleene Klass, Kamal Ibrahim, Daniel Mananta, Amanda Zevannya, Steve Douglas Matt Cardle, Blue, GIGI Art of Dance, Soerya Soemirat Dance Group, Iskandar Widjaja, Maylaffayza
2014 Tim Vincent, Megan Young, Frankie Cena, Steve Douglas Sky Blu, The Vamps
2015 Tim Vincent, Megan Young, Angela Chow, Steve Douglas, Neil Krisralam Yu Wenxia, The Wholls, Julian Believe
2016 Jason Cook, Megan Young, Frankie Cena, Steve Douglas Rodrick Dixon, Morrison Brothers
2017 Fernando Allende, Angela Chow, Megan Young, Frankie Cena, Barney Walsh, Steve Douglas Kristian Kostov, Celine Tam, Jeffrey Li, Zizi
2018 Fernando Allende, Angela Chow, Frankie Cena, Megan Young, Stephanie Del Valle, Barney Walsh Donel Mangena, Dimash Kudaibergen, Sister Sledge
2019 Megan Young, Peter Andre, Stephanie Del Valle, Fernando Allende, Steve Douglas Peter Andre, Lulu
2021 Peter Andre, Fernando Allende Don Omar, Gente de Zona, Victor Manuel, Pedro Capó, and The Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra conducted by Angel Velez with guest conductor Mike Dixon
2023 Karan Johar, Megan Young Shaan, Neha Kakkar, Tony Kakkar, Toni-Ann Singh

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Miss Mundo para niños

  • Beauty with a Purpose – a registered charity and nonprofit organisation associated with Miss World that raises money and participates in humanitarian projects across the world
  • Big Four international beauty pageants
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