by Damjan
Beauty pageants, or what some might call “beauty contests,” have been around in some form or another since the late 1800s. As far as the first official beauty pageant is concerned, it is widely believed to have originated in the United States in the late 1880s.
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Every famous face started somewhere, be it in an advertisem*nt, a reality show, or just knowing the right people. But these 12 former beauty queens achieved fame through the world of pageantry. It takes a lot to make it in the pageant world, and these ladies were more than up to the challenge.
From Gal Gadot to Ksenia Sukhinova, these ladies are some of the most attractive people on the planet, and they have the crowns to prove it. Over the past 60 years, former Miss Universe competitors have gone on to have successful careers.
Many are now well-known models and actresses, while others have become influential journalists and philanthropists. These ladies remain popular even after all this time.
When the reign of a winner comes to an end, what happens next? To get an idea of the current lives of 12 former beauty queens, as well as a look back to the day they were crowned, we have created this list.
1. Angela Ponce
Angela Maria Ponce Camacho, born on January 18, 1991, is a Spanish model and beauty pageant winner who won the title of Miss Universe Spain 2018. She is an advocate for the rights of transgender children and works actively with the Foundation that helps them.
2. Lynda Carter
Lynda Jean Cordova, born in Phoenix, Arizona on July 24th, 1951, is a singer and actress known for her role as "Wonder Woman" in the 1970s television series. She achieved this honor after obtaining the title of Miss USA in 1973.
3. Gal Gadot
Born on April 30, 1985, Gal Gadot-Varsano is an internationally renowned Israeli actress and model. At the age of 18, she won the 2004 Miss Israel beauty pageant and also went on to represent Israel in Miss Universe 2004, held in Ecuador that year.
Gadot made her breakthrough in the DC Extended Universe with her iconic portrayal of Wonder Woman in "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" (2016) and "Wonder Woman" (2017).
4. Sushmita Sen
Sushmita Sen, who was born on November 19, 1975, is an Indian actress and model who achieved the title of Miss Universe in 1994, making her the first Indian woman to hold the crown. Prior to this, at the age of 18, she was crowned Femina Miss India in 1994.
Since her victory in the Miss Universe contest, Sen has pursued a career in acting.
5. Priyanka Chopra
Priyanka Chopra, born on July 18, 1982 in Jamshedpur, Bihar (now Jharkhand, India), is an Indian actor, model, and singer who rose to international prominence after being crowned Miss World in 2000. She gained further recognition for her performance in the successful film “Fashion,” for which she was awarded the National Film Award for Best Actress and the Filmfare Award for Best Actress.
6. Ksenia Sukhinova
Born on August 26, 1987, Ksenia Vladimirovna Sukhinova is a Russian model, television host, and beauty queen renowned for her 2007 Miss Russia title and her 2008 Miss World win. She has also served as a judge in the Mister World competition in 2010, as well as in the Miss World pageant in 2015 and 2016.
7. Alicia Machado
8. Pia Wurtzbach
In 2015, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, also known as Pia Romero, was crowned Miss Universe. Two years later, she signed a two-year exclusive deal with ABS-CBN. Since then, she has been a guest host on ASAP and co-hosted the show World of Dance Philippines with Luis Manzano. Wurtzbach was born on September 24, 1989, and is a Filipina model, actress, and beauty queen.
9. Aiswarya Rai
Born on November 1, 1973, in Mangalore, Karnataka, India, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (née Rai) is an Indian actress who has earned the title of "Queen of Bollywood." Prior to her 1994 election as Miss World, Rai was studying architecture in a typical South Indian family.
Her role as Paro in the 2002 film "Devdas" earned her critical acclaim and solidified her place as one of India's leading actresses.
10. Zuleyka Rivera
In 2006, Zuleyka Rivera rose to fame after becoming the winner of the Miss Universe pageant. She then entered the acting world in 2007, playing Betsy Marvel in "Dame Chocolate," a Mexican Telemundo show.
2017 was a special year for Zuleyka, as she earned international recognition by having a number-one hit on Luis Fonsi's single "Despacito." Most recently in 2019, Rivera starred in the Spanish crime drama "El Dragón: Return of a Warrior."
11. Olivia Culpo
Olivia Frances Culpo, born on May 8, 1992, is an American actress and fashion influencer. She achieved celebrity status when she won the titles of Miss USA and Miss Universe in 2012.
Culpo's popularity increased when she began to gain a large number of followers on social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Her success as an influencer has allowed her to collaborate with prominent brands, such as L’Oréal, Kipling, and Uberliss, to promote their products.
12. Lara Dutta
Lara Dutta, the winner of Miss Universe 2000, is an acclaimed Indian actress and businesswoman who has been active in the Hindi film industry since the start of the 2000s. She has won multiple awards, including a Filmfare Award, and has become one of the most sought-after leading ladies of the decade. She was born on the 16th of April 1978.
The popularity of beauty pageants increased significantly in the 1920s. Beauty pageants were seen as an opportunity for women to showcase their beauty, grace, and poise.
These pageants were also seen as a way to promote traditional values, such as chastity and modesty. In the 1950s, beauty pageants became more of a commercial enterprise.
They were held in larger venues and featured more elaborate costumes and sets. Television coverage of beauty pageants also became more frequent.
Today, beauty pageants are still popular, although the rules and regulations vary from country to country. Pageants are now judged on a variety of criteria, including
