Miss USA Through The Years: Get To Know America’s Most Beautiful Women Beyond Just The Physical

TrendingJuly 13, 2021

Miriam Stevenson – Miss Universe 1954

Miriam Stevenson’s beauty in her youth was one-of-a-kind alright. See, she was the first-ever American woman to wear the Miss Universe crown. And it looked right at home atop her brown locks, didn’t it? We don’t doubt it’ll fit her today just as well, given how great she looks in her late 80s.

Like those who came before and would come after her, Stevenson began a career in Hollywood. However, she later chose to continue her education instead of staying in the limelight. She did find work hosting and modeling in the ‘70s, though. Last we heard in 2017, Stevenson is all good and even attended a family reunion.

Miriam Stevenson – Miss Universe 1954

Jackie Loughery – Miss USA 1952

And now for the woman who wore the crown first, New York’s Jackie Loughery. This redhead stunner, looking like the epitome of ‘50s beauty standards with her 23-inch waist and perfectly curled mane, represented the United States at the first Miss Universe pageant in 1952.

Loughery embarked on an exciting entertainment career following her reign. She starred in films like Pardners and The D.I. alongside actor Jack Webb, who she later married. After making appearances at the Miss USA pageants in the ‘70s, she settled in California and is believed to be residing at one of its senior living communities.

Sharon Brown – Miss USA 1961

Sharon Brown, in her youth, was a total dead ringer for the French actress Marion Cotillard with her elfin features and dimpled smile. So, we were not surprised to find out that aside from winning the Miss USA title in 1961, she also brought home the Miss Photogenic Award. The camera sure loved her!

Knowing her best assets, Brown pursued a modeling and TV career in New York City after her win and then worked with the comedian Bob Hope. Unfortunately, that’s all that we could gather from her life post-Miss USA. But given her ambitious attitude, we’re hoping she got to live out her dreams on her own terms.

Macel Wilson – Miss USA 1962

When she won the Miss USA crown in 1962, Macel Wilson showed people that there’s a variety of beauty found in the United States. The first Asian American woman to hold the title showed off her tanned skin and jet black hair color with pride.

Following her reign, she moved to Europe, where she married engineer Jens Henrik Packness and continued her education. That path led her to pursue a career as a Danish Broadcasting Corporation film editor. The Hawaii native remains living there to this day with her family.

Marite Ozers – Miss USA 1963

Marite Ozers might not have been born in the United States, but her beauty was something Americans loved. The Latvian-born stunner was the complete package with her svelte figure, blonde tresses, and movie star good looks. And so, she became the first naturalized citizen to don the Miss USA crown at 19.

For Ozers, though, her decision to join the pageant was driven by a desire to win a scholarship being one of nine children. In the end, she did get to study and earned a degree in communication. She’s been off the radar since 2011 when she was featured in Time magazine’s portraits of Miss USA queens.

Ali Landry – Miss USA 1996

Looking every bit like a movie star, Louisiana’s Ali Landry was crowned the most beautiful woman in the United States in 1996. A beauty of Cajun descent, she has stunning tanned skin and soulful brown eyes to match. No wonder she managed to charm TV host Mario Lopez!

While Landry’s romance with Lopez didn’t pan out, she found love again and is now the doting mother to three children. The former Hollywood Moms’ Club star balances her mom duties with acting and managing her lifestyle platform Re/Shape, which focuses on health and wellness content.