1976 Rina Messinger ISRAEL

Hong Kong

1st runner-up     Judith Josefina Castillo Uribe VENEZUELA 2nd runner-up     Sian Adey-Jones   WALES 3rd runner-up     Carol Jean Grant   SCOTLAND 4th runner-up     Julie Anne Ismay AUSTRALIA SEMI-FINALISTS Lilian Noemi Deasti   ARGENTINA Maria Elena Sommer   CHILE Maria Elena Reyes   COLOMBIA Anneke Dijkhuizen   CURACAO Pauline Davies   ENGLAND Rowena Lam   HONG KONG Bente Lihaug   NORWAY

Rina beams after being crowned Miss Universe 1976

"I'm no politician. I think my being Miss Universe will show people that Israel has another side, not only war." That was one of the first statements of the new Miss Universe from Israel, Rina Messinger.  Still there was controversy in the pageant. Several delegates had complained about the various activities they were forced to attend. Several delegates were allegedly asked to stay behind and entertain the rich wealthy Hong Kong elite, the veracity of which has not yet been proven until today.

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