Miss Universe winners from 1971 to 1980

02 / 11

Georgina Rizk Miss Universe 1971 from Lebanon

Lebanon’s first and so far the only Miss Universe winner – Miss Universe 1971 Georgina Rizk. She is currently a main beauty pageant judge for the Miss Lebanon contest and is the current wife of Lebanese singer and actor Walid Toufic. During the Miss Universe 1971 pageant, Rizk made an unforgettable fashion statement, bagging the crown for Lebanon. Rizk was unable to crown her successor at Miss Universe 1972 and could not even attend the pageant, due to government restrictions of fears of a terrorist attack.

03 / 11

Kerry Anne Wells Miss Universe 1972 from Australia

The 1972 edition of Miss Universe was won by Australian beauty Kerry Anne Wells. Wells was crowned by Miss Universe 1970, Marisol Malaret of Puerto Rico, as MU 1971 Georgina Rizk couldn’t travel to Puerto Rico due to fears of a terrorist attack. Her crowning moment was not shown on television because of a strike threat among pageant electricians. The screen blacked out as her name was announced as the new Miss Universe. Wells proved to be an amazing Miss Universe, and after completing her reign she started working as a TV anchor. At present, Wells is a successful fashion designer, writer and commentator who speaks out about positive realistic body image and self-esteem.

04 / 11

Margarita Moran Miss Universe 1973 from Philippines

Margarita Moran won the second Miss Universe crown for Philippines in the year 1973. She also won the Miss Photogenic Award. Two years after her reign, she got married and managed to finish her Business Administration degree at Maryknoll College and Boston University, and took her masters at the University of London. She is now busy running the over-all operations of Ballet Philippines.

05 / 11

Amparo Munoz Miss Universe 1974 from Spain

Amparo was a Spanish actress who won the Miss Universe title in the year 1974. She was forced to give up her crown later that year, because she did not follow organizational rules, and refused to go to Japan. However, no one else took her place. Therefore, she did not crown her successor at Miss Universe 1975. The beauty queen died on February 27, 2011 after being sick for a long time, surrounded by her loved ones.

06 / 11

Anne Marie Pohtamo Miss Universe 1975 from Finland

Anne Marie Pohtamo became the second woman from Finland to win the title. She claimed the Miss Universe crown in 1975 at the pageant held in El Salvador. Anne Marie was crowned by Miss Universe 1972 Kerry Anne Wells, as Amparo Munoz Miss Universe 1974 could not finish her reign. Pohtamo later pursued a modeling and movie career, being credited either as Anne Pohtamo or as Anne Pohtamo-Hietanen. She married Arto Hietanen in 1980, and is now a mother of four.

07 / 11

Rina Messinger Miss Universe 1976 from Israel

Miss Universe 1976 was won by Israeli beauty Rina Messinger. She was a clear favourite for the crown. Despite her being a favourite, the press often reported on how risky it would be to have a Miss Universe from Israel. But, this didn’t deter Rina’s will to go ahead in the competition. Miss Universe 1976 became one of those few Miss Universe pageants with little or no controversies at all. After her reign as Miss Universe, Rina Messinger stayed in New York City, where she worked in Public Relations for the Jewish Agency and the Bonds. After four years she returned to Israel and continued working in Public Relations for a big business company.

08 / 11

Janelle Commissiong Miss Universe 1977 from Trinidad and Tobago

The 1977 edition of the Miss Universe pageant was won by Trinidad and Tobago beauty Janelle Commissiong. Janelle was a popular candidate during the pageant, but was never a favourite. It was when she was voted Miss Photogenic, she started gaining the limelight and slowly became a favourite too. During her reign, she was an advocate for black rights and world peace. Commissiong was awarded the Trinity Cross, the country's highest award, in 1977. Three postage stamps were also issued in her honour.

09 / 11

Margaret Gardiner Miss Universe 1978 from South Africa

Margaret Gardiner won the Miss Universe beauty pageant in 1978. She became the first African woman to win the Miss Universe title. She was 18 years old when she was crowned. Her victory was not welcomed by many, especially the African media which thought her victory represented the victory of racism. But there were many who also considered her as one of the beautiful faces in the history of Miss Universe.

10 / 11

Maritza Sayalero Miss Universe 1979 from Venezuela

Maritza Seyalero became the first woman from Venezuela to win the Miss Universe title. Ever since her first swimsuit pictures came out during the pageant, she became a major favourite for the crown. Sayalero showed enough of her legendary poise to become the indisputable leader of the night, winning the swimsuit, interview and evening gown competitions at the pageant. Immediately after the live telecast ended, the stage collapsed, as too many journalists and photographers had stormed on to get a photograph of the new queen.

11 / 11

Shawn Weatherly Miss Universe 1980 from USA

Miss Universe 1980 pageant was won by Shawn Weatherly from USA. Her closest rivals were Miss Scotland Linda Gallagher, who was first runner-up, and Denyse Nottle of New Zealand (who placed second in the interview and swimsuit competitions), who was second runner-up. Shawn actually got the highest marks by a huge margin, in all stages of the competition, and hence it was a well deserved victory.