What the first Miss Universe looked like and what her fate was like

Every year hundreds of different beauty contests are held around the world. But the most important thing is always Miss Universe, where the most beautiful girl on the planet is chosen. We are used to this annual show and don’t even think about the fact that once upon a time the queen was chosen for the first time. It happened in 1952 in the USA, in the city of Long Beach, California, and the winner was the Finnish girl Armi Kuusela.

The victory of the 17-year-old Finn came as a surprise to many. Her competitors were 30 experienced models from different countries who had won more than one competition in their homeland and abroad. College student Armi Kuusela had only one victory under her belt. In the same 1952, she became the best at the national Finnish competition “Finnish Maiden” (Suomen Neito).

Armi Kuusela was born on August 20, 1934 in the Muhos community, near the city of Oulu. Her parents met and married in Canada, but Armie was born when they returned to their homeland. In total, six children were born in the family - one boy and five girls. The future beauty queen became the fourth daughter.

In 1951, Armie graduated from school and entered the women's college in Porvoo. After its completion, the girl was going to continue her education at the University of Helsinki. She was never interested in modeling, much less thought about such a career. Army was seriously involved in sports: skiing, swimming and gymnastics. The girl participated in several competitions and even won prizes.

But one day the girl was persuaded to participate in the national beauty contest Suomen Neito. It was held for the first time, and the most ordinary girls took part in the selection. On May 24, 1952, Armi Kuusela’s charming head was adorned with the queen’s crown. This paved the way for her to enter the Miss Universe competition, which was also held for the first time.

So the beautiful Armi won the first two competitions at once - the national Finnish and the world. If we take into account the parameters of modern queens, the Finn would have no chance - her height was only 165 cm and her weight was 49 kg. But then she became the best, beating rivals with more model parameters.

Everyone knows how the future life of the Miss Universe winners develops. They become media personalities, make a brilliant modeling career, act in films or host TV shows. Armie played only one film role - herself, in the Finnish film "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World."

Shortly after her victory, she married Filipino businessman Virgilio Hilario. The wedding took place on May 4, 1953 in Tokyo. The newlyweds settled in their husband’s homeland - in an elite suburb of Manila, the capital of the Philippines. In a foreign country, Kuusela made an attempt to become a singer and even performed in a musical with her husband. But her debut was not successful, and the girl focused on family life.

Armi Kuusela gave birth to 5 children and was happily married. Unfortunately, her husband died suddenly in 1975. Three years later, Armie married a second time, to US diplomat Albert Williams. The couple traveled around the world a lot because of Albert’s work, but now both are enjoying the life of wealthy American retirees in a cozy mansion in San Diego, in sunny California.