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