Vintage photos show the Miss Universe pageant throughout its 71-year history

Gabbi ShawJan 14, 2024, 15:56 IST

Gene Bayliss, choreographer for the Miss Universe pageant, acts as a stand-in for the Miss Universe winner during rehearsal in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.RED/AP

A new Miss Universe will be crowned on November 18, 2023.
Miss Universe has been held annually since 1952.

Miss Universe has been around ever since 1952, when the pageant was held in conjunction with Miss USA.

Over the years, there have been numerous candid photos snapped of Miss Universe contestants as they win, lose, and appear in parades and costume competitions.

Here are some photos taken from across the last seven decades of Miss Universe.

July 14, 1953: Six Miss Universe contestants grab hot dogs before the competition in Long Beach, California. For some of them, it's their first hot dog.

Six candidates for the Miss Universe title grab a quick United-States-style lunch between rehearsals for the contest.AP

Circa 1953: Miss Universe contestants wave while wearing matching bathing suits.

Full-length group portrait of Miss Universe contestants waving while standing on a platform in two rows.Hulton Archive/Getty Images

July 17, 1953: Christiane Martel, Miss France, sits atop a throne with a trophy and scepter after being crowned Miss Universe.

Portrait of Christiane Martel, Miss Universe, sitting on a throne and smiling while holding a scepter next to her trophy.Hulton Archive/Getty Images

July 17, 1955: Miss Cuba sneaks a kiss from a sailor who was part of security at the Miss Universe parade.

A sailor who volunteered to be the mobile force for Miss Cuba's float in the Miss Universe parade kisses Miss Cuba.Bettmann/Getty Images

July 9, 1956: Hollywood legends Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis kiss some Miss Universe hopefuls in New York City.

The comedy team of Dean Martin, left center, and Jerry Lewis, right center, get together with these foreign beauties during a swimsuit fashion show.AP

July 26, 1958: Miss Italy represents her country at the national parade.

Miss Italy, Clara Copella, a Miss Universe Contestant poses during a parade in Long Beach, California.Earl Leaf/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

July 1, 1960: Four contestants take advantage of Miami's proximity to the ocean and try deep-sea fishing.

Four aspirants to the Miss Universe title got the feel of deep-sea fishing here during a visit to the Miami beach docks.Bettmann/Getty Images

July 4, 1960: The national costume contest has been part of Miss Universe since the beginning. These are the national costumes at the 1960 pageant.

Ten of the Miss Universe beauty pageant hopefuls from foreign countries are shown on stage in native costume during the opening performance on July 4, 1960.AP

July 13, 1968: Brazil's Martha Vasconcellos smiles for the camera after being crowned Miss Universe.

Miss Universe, Martha Vasconcellos of Brazil, has received her trophy.Bettman/Getty Images

July 11, 1970: A few Miss Universe contestants pose during the swimwear portion of the competition.

Ten Miss Universe contestants are shown here as they pose in bathing suits for a group photo.Bettman/Getty Images

July 29, 1972: Kerry Anne Wells, the newly crowned Miss Universe, chats with longtime host Bob Barker.

Miss Universe, wearing her crown and carrying her scepter, Kerry Anna Wells of Perth, Australia, talks with the Master of Ceremonies of the Miss Universe pageant, Bob Barker.Bettman/Getty Images

July 11, 1976: Bob Barker tells Miss Israel Rina Messinger that she is the new Miss Universe. He hosted every year from 1967 to 1987.

Rina Messinger of Israel, center, registers her surprise when she is told she has won Miss Universe in Hong Kong.AP

July 16, 1977: Gene Bayliss, Miss Universe's choreographer, stands in for the new Miss Universe during rehearsals alongside Bob Barker and Rina Messinger.

Gene Bayliss, choreographer for the Miss Universe pageant, acts as a stand-in for the Miss Universe winner during rehearsal in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.RED/AP

July 21, 1977: Miss Universe Janelle Commissiong wears her national costume inspired by the hummingbird. There are more than a dozen species of the bird in her country, Trinidad and Tobago.

Miss Universe Janelle Commissiong posing in a silver costume on top of the Empire State Building in New York.UPI/Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

July 21, 1977: Miss Universe Janelle Commissiong wears her national costume inspired by the hummingbird. There are more than a dozen species of the bird in her country, Trinidad and Tobago.

July 26, 1982: Karen Baldwin, the former Miss Canada, is congratulated by other beauty queens after being named Miss Universe.

Karen Baldwin, the former Miss Canada, sits on her throne after winning the title of Miss Universe.Bettmann/Getty Images

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Vintage photos show the Miss Universe pageant throughout its 71-year history

July 14, 1953: Six Miss Universe contestants grab hot dogs before the competition in Long Beach, California. For some of them, it's their first hot dog.

Circa 1953: Miss Universe contestants wave while wearing matching bathing suits.

July 17, 1953: Christiane Martel, Miss France, sits atop a throne with a trophy and scepter after being crowned Miss Universe.

July 17, 1955: Miss Cuba sneaks a kiss from a sailor who was part of security at the Miss Universe parade.

July 9, 1956: Hollywood legends Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis kiss some Miss Universe hopefuls in New York City.

July 26, 1958: Miss Italy represents her country at the national parade.

July 1, 1960: Four contestants take advantage of Miami's proximity to the ocean and try deep-sea fishing.

July 4, 1960: The national costume contest has been part of Miss Universe since the beginning. These are the national costumes at the 1960 pageant.

July 13, 1968: Brazil's Martha Vasconcellos smiles for the camera after being crowned Miss Universe.

July 11, 1970: A few Miss Universe contestants pose during the swimwear portion of the competition.

July 29, 1972: Kerry Anne Wells, the newly crowned Miss Universe, chats with longtime host Bob Barker.

July 11, 1976: Bob Barker tells Miss Israel Rina Messinger that she is the new Miss Universe. He hosted every year from 1967 to 1987.

July 16, 1977: Gene Bayliss, Miss Universe's choreographer, stands in for the new Miss Universe during rehearsals alongside Bob Barker and Rina Messinger.

July 21, 1977: Miss Universe Janelle Commissiong wears her national costume inspired by the hummingbird. There are more than a dozen species of the bird in her country, Trinidad and Tobago.

July 26, 1982: Karen Baldwin, the former Miss Canada, is congratulated by other beauty queens after being named Miss Universe.