Miss Universe 1973
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| Miss Universe 1973 | |
|---|---|
 Margarita Moran | |
| Date | 21 July 1973[a] |
| Presenters | Bob Barker |
| Venue | Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Athens, Greece |
| Broadcaster | CBS (international) EIRT (official broadcaster) |
| Entrants | 61 |
| Placements | 12 |
| Debuts | Cyprus |
| Withdrawals | |
| Returns | |
| Winner | Margarita Moran Philippines |
| Congeniality | Jeanette Robertson (Chile) |
| Best National Costume | María del Rocío Martín (Spain) |
| Photogenic | Margarita Moran (Philippines) |
Miss Universe 1973 was the 22nd Miss Universe pageant, held at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus in Athens, Greece, on 21 July 1973. This was the first Miss Universe event to be held in Europe.
At the conclusion of the event, Kerry Anne Wells of Australia crowned Margarita Moran of the Philippines as Miss Universe 1973. It is the second victory for the Philippines in the pageant's history.[1]
Contestants from sixty-one countries and territories participated in this year's pageant. The pageant was hosted by Bob Barker in his seventh consecutive year, while Helen O'Connell provided commentary and analysis throughout the event.
Location and date
In February 1973, Puerto Rican government officials announced that they would be ending the $1 million contract to bring Miss Universe and Miss USA to the island until 1976.[2][3] Officials said the agreement was illegal, and Miss Universe President Harold Glasser said it was only a technical-legal nature. According to Glasser, the real reason the agreement was terminated was because "pageants are victims of political infighting" and pageant sponsors have remained neutral in the debate over Puerto Rico's political status. The pro-statehood administration of Gov. Luis A. Ferre signed the contract to sponsor the pageants, but an anti-statehood administration led by Gov. Rafael Hernandez Colon took office on January 2. Although the search for a venue for Miss Universe is still ongoing, the pageant will still push through on July 21, according to Glasser.[2]
On February 22, Miss Universe Inc. filed a $20 million USD damage suit against the government of Puerto Rico for canceling its contract to sponsor the competition for five years.[4][5]
On May 10, the Miss Universe Inc. announced that the 22nd edition would be held in Athens from July 11 to July 21.[6] According to Glasser and Chrysanthos Demetriadis, president of the Greek National Tourist Organization, the competition will be broadcast in more than 30 countries.[7][8]
Selection of participants
Contestants from sixty-one countries and territories were selected to compete in the pageant.
Debuts, returns, and, withdrawals
This edition saw the debut of Cyprus, and the returns of Ceylon, which last competed in 1970; and Lebanon, Nicaragua, Panama, and Trinidad and Tobago which last competed in 1971.[9]
Cyprianna Munnings of the Bahamas withdrew in order to join the celebration of her country's independence from the United Kingdom.[10] Katrin Gisladóttir of Iceland withdrew for health reasons.[11] Mary Núñez of Peru was not allowed by her government to participate due to the weak diplomatic relations with the United States and Peru.[12] Ecuador, Iraq, and Zaire withdrew from the competition after their respective organizations failed to hold a national competition or appoint a delegate.
Results
Placements
| Placement | Contestant |
|---|---|
| Miss Universe 1973 | |
| 1st runner-up | |
| 2nd runner-up | |
| 3rd runner-up | |
| 4th runner-up | |
| Top 12 |
Special awards
| Award | Contestant |
|---|---|
| Miss Photogenic | |
| Miss Amity |
|
| Best National Costume |
Pageant
Format
Same with 1971, twelve semi-finalists were chosen at the preliminary competition that consists of the swimsuit and evening gown competition. The twelve semi-finalists participated in the casual interview, swimsuit, and evening gown competitions. Because the Greek Archaeological Society did not allow the candidates to parade in their swimsuits at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, this edition's swimsuit competition was held outside the odeon.[16][17] From twelve, five finalists were shortlisted to advance to the final interview.[18]
Selection committee
- Jean-Pierre Aumont – French actor[19]
- Horst Buchholz – German actor[19]
- El Cordobés – Spanish bullfighter[19]
- Walt Frazier – American basketball player[19]
- Apasra Hongsakula – Miss Universe 1965 from Thailand[19]
- Herakles Mathiopoulos – Chairman of the chamber of hotels in Greece[19]
- Hanae Mori – Japanese fashion designer[19]
- Lynn Redgrave – British-American actress[19]
- Ginger Rogers – American actress and singer[19]
- Edilson Cid Varela – Brazilian journalist[19]
- Earl Wilson – American columnist and journalist[19]
Contestants
Sixty-one contestants competed for the title.
