1954 Miriam Stevenson USA

Long Beach, California USA

1st runner-up     Martha Ma. Rocha   BRAZIL 2nd runner-up   Virginia June Lee HONG KONG 3rd runner-up     Regina Ernst   GERMANY 4th runner-up     Ragnhild Olafsson   SWEDEN SEMI-FINALISTS Ivana Olga Kislinger   ARGENTINA Gloria Legisos   CHILE Marian Esquivel McKeown   COSTA RICA Jacqueline Beer   FRANCE Rika Dialina   GREECE Maria Teresa Paliani   ITALY Mona Stornes   NORWAY Liliana Torre   PANAMA Isabella Leon Velarde Dancuart   PERU Blesilda Ocampo   PHILIPPINES Ana Moreno   URUGUAY

Miriam being crowned by predecessor, Christiane Martel of France

The first of 7 Americans to win the Miss Universe crown hails from Winnsboro, South Carolina.  She bested 34 other delegates and survived a triple tie breaker with runner-up Martha Rocha of Brazil.  One of the judges disclosed that it was Miss Brazil's "bulging hips" which cost her the crown although her face was said to have been "the most gorgeous in the contest".   Still residing in Columbia, South Carolina, the ever popular Miriam remains on the go with her various activities as real estate agent and a fashion, bridal, and wedding consultant.   She is married to Donald Upton and together they have two sons.

The 1955 Miss Universe program book featuring Miriam Stevenson

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