Meet Gladys Zender: the first Latina to ever win the Miss Universe pageant
us.hola.comMiss Universe was founded 70 years ago on June 28, 1952. It only took four years for a Latin American pageant to win the United States-run and Thailand-based organization’s annual beauty contest.
In 1957, Gladys Rosa Zender de Meier, born October 19, 1939, became the first Latina to win the crown. Representing Peru, the model and beauty queen won when she was only 17 years old in an event held in Long Beach, California, United States.
Although her historic win didn’t comply with the contest’s minimum age requirement, pageant officials decided that she could keep the crown after they were told she was considered to be 18 in Peru.Zender became an instant celebrity; therefore, she was considered to take the inaugural flight from Idlewild International Airport in New York City to Limatambo Airport in Lima, Peru.
After her landing, she was greeted by thousands of fans. The evolution of Miss Universe crowns: A shimmering journey through timeMiss Universe 2023 behind the scenes: Contestants shine in rehearsal momentsMiss Universe Latina contestants wear their favorite designersGladys also graced the cover of Peru’s most popular news magazine, Caretas, becoming among the celebs featured on the publication’s first all-color cover.In 1958, Zender met former King of Spain Juan Carlos de Borbon during his 4-day stay in Lima.
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