Miss Universe 1968
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Miss Universe 1968 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Date | 13 July 1968 |
| Presenters | [1] |
| Venue | Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, United States |
| Broadcaster | |
| Entrants | 65 |
| Placements | 15 |
| Debuts |
|
| Withdrawals |
|
| Returns |
|
| Winner | Martha Vasconcellos Brazil |
| Congeniality | Yasuyo Iino (Japan) |
| Best National Costume | Luz Elena Restrepo (Colombia) |
| Photogenic | Daliborka Stojšić (Yugoslavia) |
Miss Universe 1968 was the 17th Miss Universe pageant, held at the Miami Beach Auditorium in Miami Beach, Florida, on 13 July 1968.
At the conclusion of the event, Sylvia Hitchcock of the United States crowned Martha Vasconcellos of Brazil as Miss Universe 1968. It is the second victory of Brazil in the history of the pageant.
Contestants from sixty-five countries and territories competed in this edition. The pageant was hosted by Bob Barker, while June Lockhart provided commentary throughout the competition.[2][3]
Selection of participants
Contestants from sixty-five countries and territories were selected to compete in the pageant. Two candidates were appointed to represent their country to replace the original dethroned winner.[4]
Replacements
Miss Australia 1968, Helen Newton, withdrew after her sponsor decided not to participate in the competition.[5] As a result, the rights to choose the Australian candidate for Miss Universe went to the Queen of Quests competition, which was won by Lauren Jones.[6]
Elizabeth Cadren, second runner-up of Miss France 1968, was appointed as the French candidate for Miss Universe after Miss France 1968, Christiane Lillio, decided that she will not compete in any international competition.[7]
Debuts, returns, and withdrawals
This edition saw the debuts of Congo-Kinshasa, Malta, and Yugoslavia, and the returns of Haiti which last competed in 1962; Australia and Tunisia in 1965; and Ceylon, Ecuador, Jamaica, Lebanon, Nicaragua, and Thailand last competed in 1966.[8] Cuba, Panama, and Paraguay withdrew after their respective organizations failed to hold a national competition or appoint a delegate.[9]
Miss Morocco, Zakia Chamouch, was set to compete but withdrew for being underage.[10]
Results
Placements
| Placement | Contestant |
|---|---|
| Miss Universe 1968 |
|
| 1st Runner-Up |
|
| 2nd Runner-Up |
|
| 3rd Runner-Up |
|
| 4th Runner-Up | |
| Top 15 |
|
Special awards
| Award | Contestant |
|---|---|
| Miss Amity |
|
| Miss Photogenic |
|
| Best National Costume |
|
| Top 15 Best in Swimsuit[12] |
|
Pageant
Format
Same with 1966, fifteen semi-finalists were chosen at the preliminary competition that consists of the swimsuit and evening gown competition. Each of the fifteen semi-finalists were individually interviewed by Bob Barker. Following the interviews, the fifteen semi-finalists participated in the swimsuit and evening gown competitions. From fifteen, five contestants were shortlisted to advance to the final interview.[13]
Selection committee
- Edilson Cid Varela – Brazilian journalist[14]
- Sara Lou Harris Carter – African-American model[14]
- Hideo Den – Japanese news presenter[14]
- Yousuf Karsh – Armenian-Canadian photographer[14]
- Dong Kingman – Chinese-American painter[14]
- Orna Porat – German-born Israeli theater actress[14]
- Edwin Acosta Rubio – Venezuelan newspaper and advertising executive[14]
- Miriam Stevenson – Miss Universe 1954 from the United States[14]
- Earl Wilson – American columnist and journalist[14]
Contestants
Sixty-five contestants competed for the title.
