Miss Universe 1974 Marks Her Golden Crowning Anniversary

The first Miss Universe edition to be held in the Far East marks its 50th anniversary. 

What better way to showcase the beauty and splendor of the Philippines than the Miss Universe pageant where the reigning queen Margarita Moran will also pass on her crown to her successor and witnessed by her countrymen.

Former First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos made it happen when she singlehandedly oversaw the preparations with flair and excitement.

Amparo Muñoz y Quesada from Spain was crowned the most beautiful girl of the universe for 1974 on the morning of July 21 at the Folk Arts Theater. 

Rounding out the top five were 1st RU Miss Wales Helen Morgan, 2nd RU Miss Finland Johanna Raunio 3rd RU Miss Colombia Ella Cecilia Escandon and 4th RU Miss Aruba Maureen Ava Viera

It was however a tumultuous reign for the señorita with the fiery Spanish temperament whose reign came to a head when she threw out her crown from a hotel window. 

Despite not completing her reign, she was never dethroned and she is still acknowledged as the 1974 titleholder. She went on to carve a successful yet controversial showbiz career in Spain. 

Miss Universe 1972 Kerry Ann Wells of Australia crowned the 1975 Miss Universe 

She passed away on February 27, 2011 from a lingering ailment. She was 56 years old. She would always be fondly remembered not only by Filipino fans as the first Miss Universe to be crowned in the Philippines but also by the entire world as one of the most beautiful Miss Universe winners ever.

Farewell Queen

Part 2: The Tragic Story of Amparo Munoz

Amparo Muñoz Quesada was born on June 21, 1954 in a family of six children in Vélez Málaga, Andalusia, Spain. She had light to reddish brown hair and green eyes and even at an early age, had already shown a hint of the promising beauty that would win for her country its first and only Miss Universe crown.  

Amparo Munoz

Because of their family’s limited financial resources and humble surroundings, it was her childless godparents who raised her and send her to elementary school. Old- timers reminisce how Amparo as a young girl was very shy and withdrawn and seemed to be oblivious or unaware of her beauty. Despite the simple clothes she wore, everyone would turn to look at her every time she walked along the streets. 

During those innocent times, she already had the allure & the fiery temperament of the Spanish senorita that proved to be irresistible for most men. It was the exact beauty that would earn for her fame and fortune and later on cause her downward spiral and heartbreaking endbut that’s getting ahead of the story. 

At 17, she earned her first salary as saleswoman in a department store in Mérida. Then she was employed at a French boutique and passed models in malls of Andalusia.

Prior to winning many beauty pageants, she was preparing herself for a career in the entertainment industry. After college where she enrolled in shorthand and typing courses for possible employment as a secretary, she moved to Madrid where she studied acting, modeled, and appeared on television commercials. 

She eventually worked as a secretary in an advertising company which became her link to fulfilling a destiny in the world of pageantry. As she was submitting the advertisements and press releases at Sur de Malaga newspaper, the editor saw her and struck with her beauty & charm, he encouraged her to compete in the Senorita Costa Del Sol regional pageant whose winner goes to compete in Senorita Espana.   

Amparo Munoz is Miss Espana 1973

The reluctant beauty followed his advice, submitted her application form and much to her surprise & disbelief, she won and earned the right to compete for the Senorita Espana title. 

COMING UP: Part 3

Part 1: The Tragic Story of Amparo Munoz

 no fairy tale ending

SPAIN CONQUERED THE PHILIPPINES AGAIN. Whenever discussions and debates center on who is considered as the most beautiful Miss Universe ever, the name Amparo Munoz would always be mentioned.

Amparo was the lovely Spanish senorita who was crowned the most beautiful woman of the universe in 1974 and mesmerized an entire generation of Filipinos who witnessed her crowning when the pageant was held in Manila. 

Amparo became the darling of beauty-contest-crazy Filipinos. After relinquishing her crown, Amparo agreed to star in the movie Hayop sa Ganda with our very own Miss Universe (1969), Gloria Diaz.

THE CURSE OF BEING BEAUTIFUL

After the beauty pageant, she left the country to begin what was supposed to be an exciting and memorable year as Miss Universe but sadly, it wasn’t meant to be.

 Amparo as Miss Universe 1974

Amparo Muñoz's life is probably the saddest story you've had of any international beauty queen. Her sheer beauty already made it clear that she was destined for something extraordinary when she grew up but the very same beauty that was her passport to instant fame and fortune was also the root cause of what became of her later on in life.

Everyone would think that winning a beauty contest is a great achievement and a great opportunity but to Amparo, that victory would mark the end of her happiness and her family. Initially ecstatic with her triumph as the first Spaniard to become Miss Universe, Amparo felt stifled and manipulated  halfway through her reign as she had to fulfill her duties with her every move being watched and monitored by chaperones. 

Her sole reason for joining Miss Universe then was to have a bigger and better profile in the movie industry (she was already a movie starlet before she became Miss Universe)

CLICK the link to:  1974 Miss Universe Pageant in Manila

 Miss Universe 1974 & Runners Up

One of the most beautiful Top Five ever

Everything came to a head when her crown was broken into pieces after she hurled it through a window.  Amparo, the fiery and temperamental Spanish beauty, decided not to continue being Miss Universe and resigned in January 1975 but she was never officially dethroned and the title was not offered to any of the other runners up. 

(Her 1^st runner up Helen Morgan of Wales was crowned Miss World later that year but was dethroned a few days later. Read the story HERE)  

The 1974 Miss Universe title then became vacant for six months and it was Miss Universe 1972 Kerry Ann Wells who crowned the 1975 Miss Universe.

       PLEASE CLICK:  PART 2: THE AMPARO MUNOZ STORY

Scandal Leads to Miss World Resignation

REMEMBER HELEN MORGAN? 

She was crowned the 1974 Miss World and was 1ST Runner Up to Amparo Munoz in Miss Universe held in Manila, Philippines

Considered one of the most controversial winners in the history of Miss World, Helen came back a year  ago to watch the competition for the first time in almost 40 years, putting an end to decades of self-imposed exile.

Helen Morgan won the title in 1974, but was forced out after only four days as a result of tabloid newspaper revelations that she was an unmarried mother, and allegations – which she denied – of an affair with a married man. 

with son Richard

TO RESIGN OR TO BE REPLACED?

It may be hard to credit now, but the shock resignation of the 22-year-old from Barry, Wales, was one of the biggest stories of the time – for Ms Morgan was the first Miss World to quit.

Pageants have always been said to be the channels for anything that is associated with the true, the good and the beautiful.

These competitions on pulchritude, poise and personality have been the passport for instant fame and fortune for young women all over the world.

And as is the case for most glamorous events where you chance on some of the most stunningly beautiful faces you could ever see in your entire life, these pageants unwittingly and reluctantly, skyrocket to more media buzz especially when something salacious involve some of their key players whether the organizer or the candidates.

Intrigues and scandals have in fact threatened the survival of these pageants during the early years.

Did you know that one of the most controversial Miss World winners ever had been pressured to give up her crown four days after being declared the winner?

 1974 Miss Universe 1^st Runner Up

She is Helen Elizabeth Morgan of Wales who won the 1974 Miss World crown. Earlier that year, she finished as 1st Runner Up to Amparo Munoz of Spain in the Miss Universe Pageant held in Manila.

HERE'S THE STORY:

It has always been known that Helen Elizabeth Morgan resigned as Miss World in 1974 after being exposed a mother of an 18-month old baby that she left to her mom’s care while competing at the pageant.

But, this was actually no secret since she has always been open about being a mother even after winning Miss United Kingdom.

She even declared offering her victory to her son, Richard while being interviewed minutes after winning the title.

Apparently, the rules only implied a candidate must be single but did not specifically stipulate the rules about single mothers participating. She was still made to resign after the pressure received by the organization from the losing candidates and the public saying it was inappropriate to crown a mother.  

Days after Helen Morgan of the United Kingdom won the Miss World title in 1974, two men have actually disputed her son Richard, both claiming to be the child’s father which she both quickly denied since she has always lived with her son’s father in Barry but agreed on not getting married though they’ve been staying together for the child.

Eric Morley then revised the rule saying mothers, single or married, would not be allowed to compete in order for them to pay more attention to their children which can coincide with the many responsibilities and duties as Miss World.

 The 1st RU from South Africa assumed the title

1st RU Anneline Kriel of South Africa succeeded Helen’s throne that year.

 Helen Morgan 40 years after she gave up her Miss World crown

Photo credits: copyright infringement not intended

In Memoriam:1974 Miss Universe Amparo Munoz

1974 MISS UNIVERSE IN MANILA

The Philippines' love affair with the Miss Universe pageant began in 1969 when Gloria Diaz became the first Filipina to win the Miss Universe crown. 

It was cemented in 1973 when another Filipina named Margarita "Margie" Moran won the country's second Miss Universe in Greece but the country's fascination and love for Miss Universe reached a feverish pitch when it hosted the 23rd edition of the pageant in Manila in July 1974.

It was held at the Folk Arts Center which was constructed in less than 70 days.

Miss Universe 1974 was held in Manila on the early morning of July 21, 1974 before an estimated live audience of 10,000. 

It made history as the first Miss Universe Pageant to be held in Asia 

The pageant opened with the traditional Parade of Nations featuring all the contestants in their national costumes

After the Parade of Nations, the names of the 12 Semi- Finalists were revealed by iconic pageant emcee, Bob Barker

TOP TWELVE 

L-R: AUS, FIN,USA,WAL,ARU, PUE, PHI, IND, COL, SPA, PAN & ENG

Miss Universe 1974 Top 12 Semifinalists: 

Aruba - Maureen Ava Vieira, Australia - Yasmin May Nagy, Colombia - Ella Cecilia Escandon, England - Kathleen Ann Anders, Finland - Johanna Raunio, India - Shailini Bhavnath Dholakia. 

Panama - Jasmine Nereida Panay, Philippines - Guadalupe Sanchez, Puerto Rico- Sonia María Stege Chardón, Spain - Amparo Muñoz, USA - Karen Morrison, Wales - Helen Elizabeth Morgan. 

From the 12 semifinalists, five came from the Americas and the Caribbean, four from Europe and three from Asia & the Pacific. 

The Personality Interviews followed after the top 12 were revealed. Miss Colombia charmed and delighted the audience with her perfect English.  

It was Miss Spain's sheer beauty and charm that got her through the interviews despite her lack of  English but she wowed everyone when she was asked about her boxer dad.  

Miss Philippines got the loudest applause of course from her countrymen and was able to parry the questions from Bob Barker. 

Miss Puerto Rico had a lot of fans who cheered for her when it was her turn during the interview round. 

In general, most of the questions were light and fluffy and gave the judges and audiences a chance to gauge the candidates' personality and charm.

SPECIAL AWARDS

 MISS PHOTOGENIC:
Miss Finland Riitta Johanna Raunio

MISS CONGENIALITY:
Miss Iceland Anna Bjornsdóttir

BEST NATIONAL COSTUME:
Miss Korea Kim Jae-kyu

PINOY PRIDE The 1974 Miss Universe Pageant showcased not not only the beauty of the 65 beauty delegates but also the splendor and culture of the Philippines through the performances of the Bayanihan and Ramon Obusan Dance Troupes.

There was even a musical number featuring the candidates  wearing the Filipiniana and singing the Ilocano folk song "Pamulinawen" said to be President Marcos' personal favorite.

 Even Bob Barker was in Barong Tagalog

After the Personal Interviews, the Swimsuit Competition followed with all the 12 girls in identical Catalina Swimwear. Standouts included Spain, Finland, Wales, Aruba, Puerto Rico and Colombia.

The Evening Gown Competition set amidst a spectacular backdrop of dazzling lanterns made from capiz shells and glittering lights hanging from trees in an enchanting garden complete with a huge fountain that spewed out real water. 

So real that the bottom half of Miss Philippines' gown got accidentally wet. Most of the ladies' gowns (with special mention to Miss Aruba and Miss Finland) were so fashion- forward and so contemporary that they can still be worn today.  

Miss Philippines

Miss Finland

Miss Aruba

Miss Colombia

 notice the partially- wet gown of Miss Philippines? 

FINAL FIVE

That year's Top Five is considered as one of the most beautiful set of finalists in Miss Universe. Miss Finland would eventually triplicate her feat in Miss Universe with 2nd runners up victory later in Miss Europe and Miss International

The whole Philippines fell in love with the blue- eyed blonde beauty of Johanna Raunio just as Filipino Virgilio Hilario fell in love and later got married with the very first Miss Universe Armi Kuusela of Finland also

Johanna later did a mermaid movie in the Philippines entitled Lorelei 

Miss Finland - Riitta Johanna Raunio

Miss Spain-Amparo Munoz 

Miss Colombia - Ella Cecilia Escandon

 Miss Wales - Helen Elizabeth Morgan

 Miss Aruba - Maureen Ava Vieira 

Aruba became the buzzword that year in the Philippines when a dusky and sultry Caribbean island girl from Aruba named Maureen captivated the Filipino male's fantasy.

After the pageant, Maureen Ava Viera stayed behind in the Philippines and married a scion of a very wealthy Filipino family

MISS PHILIPPINES

Our very own Guadalupe Sanchez, a 17 year old International School student. who made the Top Twelve didn't advance to the Magic Five most probably because of her being the host country's delegate but she exuded exceptional poise and grace  and showed maturity beyond her teenage years.

Had she entered the Miss Universe pageant in another year, she could have easily landed in the Top Five or even win the crown. Who knows?

Guada became a top model after her reign as Bb. Pilipinas Universe.

She is now Mrs. Malcolm McLauchlan, married for 29 years. She is 56 years old now and still very beautiful. She and her husband have been based in Beijing for the past few years and are busy with their restaurant complex business.

Miss Philippines-with fellow candidates

Miss  Philippines in front of the Folk Arts Theater

Miss Philippines- Guadalupe Sanchez 

But she made her country proud with her outstanding performance

After one very casual final interview where personality and charm were given more weight, Margie Moran made her Farewell Walk before her very proud countrymen.

A FILIPINA'S FAREWELL WALK

FINAL RESULTS

Bob Barker then announced the final results in reverse order:

4th runner up was Miss Aruba, Maureen Ava Viera

3rd runner up was Miss Colombia, Cecilia Escandon

2nd runner up was Miss Finland, Joanna Raunio

AND THEN THERE WERE TWO

Miss Spain Amparo Munoz was proclaimed Miss Universe 1974 with Miss Wales Helen Morgan named 1st Runner Up

with First Lady Imelda Marcos

Trivia: Amparo Munoz never completed her reign because of irreconcilable differences with the pageant organizers

Helen Morgan was 1974 Miss World for less than a week 

By that time, Miss Morgan had already won the Miss World crown, only to relinquish her title just a few days after winning it after it was revealed she was an unmarried mother.

Here's the link to  The 1974 Miss World Scandal

Muñoz was never officially dethroned and the title was not offered to any of the other runner-ups.

In fact, it was 1972 Miss Universe Kerry Anne Wells of Australia who crowned the 1975 Miss Universe in San Salvador City, El Salvador

ADIOS AMPARO! 

Amparo Muñoz, became an instant celebrity after she was crowned Miss Universe 1974 in the Philippines when the international beauty pageant was held here. 

After a lucrative acting and modeling career, she had bouts with respiratory cases and finally succumbed  to a lingering illness at her home in Malaga, Spain.

She was 56 years old. 

Amparo would always be remembered not only by Filipinos but by pageant fans from all over the world as one of the most beautiful Miss Universe winners ever to be crowned

Photo Credits:

Disclaimer: No copyright infringement intended. These photos are for pageant fans' viewing pleasure