Conceptualised by Eric Morley, the Miss World pageant is the oldest-running international beauty contest. With participants from all across the world, it has continued to be one of the ‘Big Four’ international pageants, along with Miss Universe, Miss International and Miss Earth. From the first Miss world ever to all those who scored the title of Miss World from India, here’s taking a look at the winners.
Table of Contents
Miss World Winners From 2011-2019
Before proceeding, here’s taking a look at the Miss World list for 2011-2019.
Miss World 2019 –Toni-Ann Singh
Jamaican representative Toni-Ann Singh is the fourth woman from her country to take home the crown. She was also the winner at the talent round.
Place where she was crowned: London
Date Of Birth: 1 February 1996
Education: Graduate with a degree in Women’s studies and Psychology
Profession: Student
Miss World 2018 –Vanessa Ponce de León
In 2018, Vanessa made history by being the first-ever Mexican woman to win the prestigious Miss World title. She’s passionate about volunteering and has also been continuously involved with organizations that support people with disabilities.
Place where she was crowned: Sanya, China
Date Of Birth: 7 March 1992
Education: Degree in International Business
Profession: Ran a project called “Na Vii” to aid the children of indigenous Mexican day labourers.
Miss World 2017– Manushi Chhillar
Manushi Chhillar is the latest woman to win the crown and become a Miss World from India. She is also a professionally-trained Kuchipudi dancer and is set to start working in the movies.
Place where she was crowned: Sanya, China
Date Of Birth: 14 May 1997
Education: Bhagat Phool Singh Government Medical College for Women, National School of Drama
Profession: Model and actress
Miss World 2016– Stephanie Del Valle
This dark-haired stunner turned heads when she won the title in 2016. She visited India in June 2017 and was received very warmly.
Place where she was crowned: Washington D.C, USA
Date Of Birth: 30 December 1996
Education: Law and Communication at Pace University, New York City
Profession: Student, model
Miss World 2015– Mireia Lalaguna
Mireia is the first woman to become the Miss World titleholder from Spain.
Place where she was crowned: Sanya, China
Date Of Birth: 21 November 1992
Education: Degree in pharmacy at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark
Profession: Model
Miss World 2014– Rolene Strauss
This beauty from South Africa had been modelling since the age of 15. She even went on to win ‘Elite Model Look, South Africa’ the same year.
Place where she was crowned: London, United Kingdom
Date Of Birth: 22 April 1992
Education: Medicine at the University of the Free State
Profession: Chairperson of The Strauss Foundation, an NGO.
Miss World 2013– Megan Young
The fourth American woman to win the crown held at the pageant in Indonesia, Megan has several talents up her sleeve.
Place where she was crowned: Indonesia
Date Of Birth: 27 February 1990
Education: Filmmaking
Profession: TV show host, actor
Miss World 2012-Yu Wenxia
This stunner from China is a powerhouse of talent. Besides being a professional Chinese folk singer, she is also an actress, television host, singer and model. In fact, she was the winner of the title of Miss Talent in the pageant.
Place where she was crowned: Ordos City, Inner Mongolia
Date Of Birth: 6 August 1989
Education: Chinese Folk Music at Harbin University/ Harvard University, USA
Profession: Singer, model, actor
Miss World 2011– Ivian Sarcos
Yet again, another Venezuelan woman won the title of Miss World in 2011. Brought up in a convent by nuns, Ivian’s life story is one that is truly inspiring.
Place where she was crowned: London, United Kingdom
Date Of Birth: 26 July 1989
Education: Central University of Venezuela
Profession: Model
Miss World Winners From 2001-2010
Take a look at the Miss world list from 2001-2010.
Miss World 2010 – Alexandria Mills
This American stunner became the third woman from the United States to win the prestigious Miss World title.
Place where she was crowned: Sanya China
Date Of Birth: 26 February 1992
Education: Homeschooled
Profession: Model, Photographer
Miss World 2009– Kaiane Aldorino
Kaiane hails from the tiny country of Gibraltar and has had a serious political career after winning the Miss World crown in 2009.
Place where she was crowned: London, United Kingdom
Date Of Birth: 8 July 1986
Education: Studied dance
Profession: Mayor of Gibraltar
Miss World 2008– Ksenia Sukhinova
This towering Russian beauty (Ksenia is 5’11!) won the Miss World pageant held in Johannesburg. She is also an athlete and has been involved in callisthenics, swimming, and biathlon all her life.
Place where she was crowned: Johannesburg
Date Of Birth: 26 August 1987
Education: Tyumenskiy Industrial Nyy Universitet
Profession: Model, TV host
Miss World 2007– Zhang Zilin
The 2007 winner is a powerhouse of talent. Not only does she have a degree in science from the University of Science and Technology Beijing, but has also represented China in the field of sports at the international level.
Place where she was crowned: Sanya, China
Date Of Birth: 22 March 1984
Education: University of Science and Technology Beijing
Profession: Model, Singer, Actress
Miss World 2006-Taťána Kuchařová
The Czech Republic representative was the Miss World titleholder in the year 2006, going on to become a model and actor.
Place where she was crowned: Warsaw, Poland
Date Of Birth: 23 December 1987
Profession: Model, actor and singer
Miss World 2005– Unnur Birna Vilhjálmsdóttir
Before winning the Miss World title, Unnur studied to be a lawyer and an anthropologist, and also served as a police officer at Keflavík International Airport.
Place where she was crowned: Sanya, China
Date Of Birth: 25 May 1984
Education: Anthropology at the University of Ireland
Profession: Actor, model, professional dancer,
Miss World 2004– María Julia Mantilla
Maria was studying to be a high school teacher before she won the title. She is a professional dancer and was also named Peruvian national champion of Triathlon and Pentathlon.
Place where she was crowned: Sanya, China
Date Of Birth: 10 July 1984
Education: Tourism
Profession: Actress, model, Peruvian national champion of Triathlon and Pentathlon.
Miss World 2003– Rosanna Davison
This stunner from Ireland went on to train as a nutritional therapist and has also written a bestselling book, titled Eat Yourself Beautiful.
Place where she was crowned: Sanya, China
Date Of Birth: 17 April 1984
Education: Rathdown School, Glenageary, Dublin
Profession: Actor, model, singer and writer
Miss World 2002-Azra Akın
The Turkish-Dutch actress and dancer who was crowned in 2002 has also appeared on a season of Dancing With The Stars.
Place where she was crowned: London, United Kingdom
Date Of Birth: 8 December 1981
Profession: Actor, model and dancer
Miss World 2001– Agbani Darego
Agbani made history for becoming not only the first Nigerian to win the title, but also the first native African.
Place where she was crowned: Sun City, South Africa
Date Of Birth: 22 December 1982
Education: University of Port Harcourt
Profession: Model
Miss World Winners From 1991-2000
Here’s taking a closer look at the Miss world list before we proceed to see who took home the Miss World pageant during the decade.
Miss World 2000– Priyanka Chopra
Priyanka Chopra may not need any introduction, but her winning the title as another Miss World from India was a major milestone in her career. She has received several accolades for her acting, both on national and international levels, with TIME magazine naming her ‘100 most influential people in the world’.
Place where she was crowned: London, United Kingdom
Date Of Birth: 18 July 1982
Education: Army Public School, Bareilly
Profession: Actor
Miss World 1999– Yukta Mookhey
Indian beauty Yukta Mookhey added another crown by becoming a Miss World from India in the year 1999. She is also involved in social and charitable causes for the underprivileged.
Place where she was crowned: London, United Kingdom
Date Of Birth: 7 October 1977
Education: V. G. Vaze College, Mumbai
Profession: Actor, model
Miss World 1998 – Linor Abargil
Linor Abargil was raped at knifepoint by her travel agent only a short while before she won the crown. After winning the Miss World title, she became an advocate against sexual violence.
Place where she was crowned: Baie Lazare, Seychelles
Date Of Birth: 17 February 1980
Profession: Advocate against sexual violence
Miss World 1997– Diana Hayden
Another Miss World from India was Diana Hayden, who went on to pursue acting and modelling post her win.
Place where she was crowned: Baie Lazare, Seychelles
Date Of Birth: 1 May 1973
Education: St. Ann’s High School in Secunderabad.
Profession: Actor, model and author.
Miss World 1996– Irene Skliva
Irene won the laurel for her country Greece in the year 1996, making her the first Miss World titleholder from her country.
Place where she was crowned: Bangalore, India
Date Of Birth: 4 April 1978
Profession: Model
Miss World 1995– Jacqueline Aguilera
Interestingly, Jacqueline also won the Top Model of the World title in 1995. Presently, she runs a modelling agency in her country.
Place where she was crowned: Sun City, South Africa
Date Of Birth: 17 November 1976
Profession: Model
Miss World 1994 – Aishwarya Rai
India’s Miss World, Aishwarya Rai needs no introduction. Considered the most beautiful woman in the world, Aishwarya Rai won the Miss World title in 1994. Besides being a famous Bollywood actor and brand ambassador for several international brands, she has also won numerous awards.
Place where she was crowned: Sun City, South Africa
Date Of Birth: 1 November 1973
Profession: Actor
Miss World 1993– Lisa Hanna
The second beauty to win the prestigious title from Jamaica, Lisa went on to work in politics after her win.
Place where she was crowned: Sun City, South Africa
Date Of Birth: 27 August 1975
Education: University of the West Indies
Profession: Member of Parliament for Saint Ann South East, served as Jamaica’s Minister of Youth and Culture from 2012 to 2016.
Miss World 1992– Julia Kourotchkina
Post her 1992 win, this Russian beauty worked as an actress and modelled for several famous brands.
Place where she was crowned: Sun City, South Africa
Date Of Birth: 10 August 1974
Profession: Model
Miss World 1991– Ninibeth Leal
Adding her name to the Miss World winner list, Venezuelan beauty Ninibeth won the coveted Miss World crown in 1991.
Place where she was crowned: Georgia, USA
Date Of Birth: 26 November 1971
Profession: Businesswoman, model.
Miss World Winners From 1981-1990
Here is the Miss World list of winners between 1981 and 1990.
Miss World 1990– Gina Tolleson
Born in 1970, Gina won the Miss World title in 1990 at the event held in London. The American beauty later went on to become a very successful model.
Place where she was crowned: London, United Kingdom
Date Of Birth: 4 June 1970
Profession: Model
Miss World 1989 – Aneta Kręglicka
Born in 1965, Aneta was the first and only woman from Poland to win this prestigious title.
Place where she was crowned: Hong Kong
Date Of Birth: 23 March 1965
Profession: Professional dancer
Miss World 1988– Linda Pétursdóttir
Born in 1969, Linda was crowned Miss World at the Miss World pageant in London, going on to own a spa named Baðhúsið for more than 20 years.
Place where she was crowned: London, UK
Date Of Birth: 27 December 1969
Profession: Businesswoman
Miss World 1987– Ulla Weigerstorfer
This Austrian beauty was named the winner at the Miss World pageant that was hosted in London, UK on November 12, 1987.
Place where she was crowned: London, United Kingdom
Date Of Birth: 16 August 1967
Profession: TV host and model.
Miss World 1986– Giselle Laronde
Giselle was the first woman from Trinidad and Tobago to win this coveted title. She was awarded the Chaconia Medal and a BWIA plane was named after her.
Place where she was crowned: London, UK
Date Of Birth: 23 October 1963
Education: University of London, Goldsmiths
Profession: Model
Miss World 1985– Hólmfríður Karlsdóttir
Icelandic beauty Hólmfríður was the first one from her country to win the title. She later worked at a local kindergarten in Iceland.
Place where she was crowned: London, UK
Date Of Birth: 3 June 1963
Profession: Teacher
Miss World 1984– Astrid Carolina Herrera
Yet again, another Venezuelan beauty won the heart of the world by winning the title of Miss World. Astrid was also named Miss World Americas.
Place where she was crowned: London, UK
Date Of Birth: 23 June 1964
Profession: Model
Miss World 1983– Sarah-Jane Hutt
What stood out about this Miss World titleholder from England was that she refused to admit that she was the most beautiful woman in the world.
Place where she was crowned: London, UK
Date Of Birth: 3 October 1964
Education: Mountbatten School in Romsey, Hampshire
Profession: Model
Miss World 1982– Mariasela Álvarez
This beauty from the Dominican Republic was the first from her country to be awarded the Miss World title.
Place where she was crowned: London, UK
Date Of Birth: 31 January 1960
Profession: Architect, TV host
Miss World 1981– Pilín León
Pilín was crowned Miss World on November 12, 1981 in London and hailed from the country of Venezuela.
Place where she was crowned: London, UK
Date Of Birth: 19 May 1963
Profession: Journalist and writer.
Miss World Winners From 1971-1980
See the Miss World winner list for the 70s.
Miss World 1980-Kimberley Santos
This was a difficult year for the pageant winners. The first winner, Gabriella from Germany, resigned just 18 hours later, stating that her boyfriend was against her holding this title. The crown passed on to the first runner up, America’s Kimberly, who’s life took a tragic turn when her boyfriend shot himself upon hearing the news of her signing a modelling contract to go to Japan.
Place where she was crowned: London. UK
Date Of Birth: 21 August 1961
Profession: Model
Miss World 1979– Gina Swainson
After she became the first Miss World titleholder from Bermuda, Gina’s representative country honoured her by putting her image on Bermudian postage stamps.
Place where she was crowned: London. UK
Date Of Birth: 6 June 1958
Profession: Model
Miss World 1978– Silvana Suárez
Silvana was the second stunner from Argentina to take the title back to her country, later going on to work in films.
Place where she was crowned: London. UK
Date Of Birth: 29 September 1958
Education: High School
Profession: Actor & model
Miss World 1977– Mary Stävin
Swedish beauty Mary bagged the third such title for her country in 1977. She has worked in several films, including two James Bond movies – Octopussy and A View to a Kill.
Place where she was crowned: London, UK
Date Of Birth: 20 August 1957
Profession: Actor and model
Miss World 1976– Cindy Breakspeare
Born in 1954, Cindy made Canada proud by becoming the first woman from the country to win the prestigious title, later becoming a famous musician.
Place where she was crowned: London. UK
Date Of Birth: 24 October 1954
Education: Immaculate Conception High School
Profession: Jazz musician
Miss World 1975– Wilnelia Merced
Born in 1957, Wilnelia became the first Miss World titleholder from Puerto Rico. She also founded a charity to help Puerto Rico’s underprivileged children.
Place where she was crowned: London. UK
Date Of Birth: 12 October 1957
Profession: Model and actor
Miss World 1974– Anneline Kriel
The title of Miss World was first won by England’s Helen Morgan in 1974. However, it was soon discovered that she was unmarried but had an eighteen-month-old child. She was stripped of her title and the crown was then passed on to South Africa’s Anneline Kriel, who became a famous model.
Place where she was crowned: London. UK
Date Of Birth: 28 July 1955
Education: University of Pretoria
Profession: Model and actor
Miss World 1973– Marjorie Wallace
Marjorie was the first woman from the United States of America to win the title in 1973. However, she faced scandal after scandal. She was stripped of her title after 104 days for not “fulfilling the basic requirements of the job”. The stunner was reportedly engaged to Formula One driver Peter Revson. However, she had an affair with the Welsh singer Tom Jones. This violated her contract and she was asked to step down from her role.
Place where she was crowned: London. UK
Date Of Birth: 23 January 1954
Profession: Model and actor
Miss World 1972 – Belinda Green
Born in 1952, Belinda went on to become the second Australian who would be known as a Miss World titleholder.
Place where she was crowned: London, UK
Date Of Birth: 4 May 1952
Profession: Model
Miss World 1971 – Lúcia Petterle
This gorgeous Brazillian bombshell, who won the world’s heart in 1971, was a doctor by profession and helped underprivileged children by giving them medical care when required.
Place where she was crowned: London. UK
Date Of Birth: 31 October 1949
Education: University Gama Filho
Profession: Doctor
Miss World Winners From 1961-1970
Here’s how the Miss World list looked for the decade.
Miss World 1970– Jennifer Hosten
Jennifer was the first beauty to bag the Miss World title from the country of Grenada. However, her reign wasn’t without controversy. There were rumours that she had won because of the influence exerted by the Prime Minister of her country, who was one of the judges.
Place where she was crowned: London. UK
Date Of Birth: 31 October 1947
Education: Carleton University
Profession: Radio announcer, development worker, diplomat, author, and model.
Miss World 1969– Eva Rueber-Staier
Eva was the first Austrian beauty to take the crown back home to her country, later appearing in films like The Spy Who Loved Me, For Your Eyes Only, and Octopussy.
Place where she was crowned: London, UK
Date Of Birth: 20 February 1951
Profession: Actor and model
Miss World 1968– Penelope Plummer
This Australian stunner won the Miss World title in 1968 and was a librarian by profession before she bagged the crown.
Place where she was crowned: London. UK
Date Of Birth: 26 October 1949
Profession: Actor and model
Miss World 1967- Madeline Hartog-Bel
Born in 1946, Madeline was the first contestant from the country of Peru to bag the crown. She was also a semi-finalist in the Miss Universe 1966 contest.
Place where she was crowned: London. UK
Date Of Birth: 12 June 1940
Profession: Model
Miss World 1966- Reita Faria
Reita made history by not only being the first to win the title of Miss World from India but also the first winner from Asia! She was previously crowned Miss Bombay and Eve’s Weekly Miss India, both in 1966.
Place where she was crowned: London. UK
Date Of Birth: 23 August 1943
Education: Grant Medical College
Profession: Physician and former model
Miss World 1965– Lesley Langley
The UK experienced a double whammy and had TWO Miss World winners from their country win the title back to back, Lesley being the second consecutive winner.
Place where she was crowned: London, UK
Date Of Birth: 26 March 1944
Education: Reddam House Berkshire
Profession: Model and actor
Miss World 1964- Ann Sidney
After finding her place amongst the Miss World titleholders, Ann Sidney went on to become a famous actor, appearing in movies like The Avengers, Performance, and Are You Being Served?
Place where she was crowned: London. UK
Date Of Birth: 27 March 1944
Education: St. Aldhelm’s Academy
Profession: Actor, TV Host
Miss World 1963– Carole Joan Crawford
Carole made Jamaica proud by being crowned the first Miss World from the country. Interestingly, the Jamaica Post issued a set of stamps imprinted with her picture after she won the title.
Place where she was crowned: London. UK
Date Of Birth: 13 February 1943
Profession: Model
Miss World 1962 – Catharina Lodders
Hailing from the Netherlands, Catharina was crowned the winner in 1962. She had also won the title of Miss Holland previously.
Place where she was crowned: London. UK
Date Of Birth: 18 August 1942
Profession: Model
Miss World 1961– Rosemarie Frankland
The first Miss World winner from Wales, Rosemarie won the crown in 1961. She was a successful model and actor.
Place where she was crowned: London, UK
Date Of Birth: 1 February 1943,
Profession: Model and actor
Miss World Winners From 1951-1960
Take a look at the Miss World Pageant winners from 1951 to 1960.
Miss World 1960– Norma Cappagli
From Buenos Aires in Argentina came Norma, one amongst the three Miss world titleholders from the country. She had also won the title of Miss Argentina previously.
Place where she was crowned: London. UK
Date Of Birth: 20 September 1939
Profession: Model and actor
Miss World 1959– Corine Rottschäfer
It was a stunner from The Netherlands who won the Miss World title. She went on to have a very successful modelling career and launched her own modelling agency.
Place where she was crowned: London. UK
Date Of Birth: 8 May 1938
Profession: Model
Miss World 1958– Penelope Anne Coelen
This beauty won the coveted Miss World crown in the year 1958 in London. Besides being a model and actor, she also ventured into fashion, launching her own line of clothing and beauty products.
Place where she was crowned: London. UK
Date Of Birth: 15 April 1940
Profession: Model and actor
Miss World 1957– Marita Lindahl
Making her way to the Miss world list in 1957 was Marita, who won the coveted crown while representing Finland.
Place where she was crowned: London. UK
Date Of Birth: 7 October 1938
Profession: Model
Miss World 1956 – Petra Schürmann
Born in 1956, Petra was the first German to bag the title of Miss World. From films to television and books–she was a powerhouse of talent.
Place where she was crowned: London, UK
Date Of Birth: 15 September 1933
Profession: Model, actor and TV presenter
Miss World 1955– Susana Duijm
Susana Duijm was the first of the Miss World winners from Venezuela to bag the title, the first win by the country that was repeated for several successive years.
Place where she was crowned: London. UK
Date Of Birth: 11 August 1936
Profession: Model and actor
Miss World 1954– Antigone Costanda
The fourth in the Miss World list was Antigone, born in Egypt. A model by profession, she went on to run her own interior designing company.
Place where she was crowned: London. UK
Date Of Birth: 1934
Profession: Model and designer
Miss World 1953 – Denise Perrier
Born in France in 1935, Denise was declared the winner of the Miss World pageant in 1953 after which she went on to become an actress, her most famous role being in the James Bond movie, Diamonds Are Forever.
Place where she was crowned: London, UK
Date Of Birth: 13 February 1935
Profession: Model and actor
Miss World 1952– May-Louise Flodin
The second winner of the Miss World title was a beauty called May-Louise Flodin. Like her predecessor, she was also Swedish.
Place where she was crowned: London. UK
Date Of Birth: 5 September 1934
Profession: Model
Miss World 1951–Kiki Haakinson
The first Miss World title ever was held by Kiki Haakinson who hailed from Sweden. She was also crowned Miss Sweden the same year.
Place where she was crowned: London. UK
Date Of Birth: 17 June 1929
Profession: Model
So, which one of these Miss World pageant beauty queens has inspired you the most?
Featured Image: Pinterest
