Susana Duijm Becomes First Latin American Woman to be Crowned Miss World
Carmen Susana Duijm Zubillaga, better known as Susana Duijm, represented Venezuela in the fifth Miss World contest, gracing the stage at London’s Lyceum Ballroom with her undeniable charm and beauty. On October 20, 1955, she became the first Latin American woman to be crowned Miss World, and she quickly won international appeal.
A clip from 1955 depicts film star Eunice Gayson placed a crown on Susana Duijm head, the first time a Miss World winner was so crowned, sparking what became a longstanding tradition. Three runner-ups leaned into Duijm as photographers hastily snapped pictures of their smiling faces.
Duijm, born in Venezuela in 1936, was an actress, television host, model, and beauty queen. She was part of the small minority of about 6,000 Jews in Venezuela.
Duijm was crowned Miss Venezuela in 1955 and progressed to the 1955 Miss Universe competition, in which she placed in the top fifteen. Later Duijm won the1955 Miss World title. Miss Universe and Miss World are both part of the Big Four, the four most prestigious beauty pageants. Miss World was founded in the United Kingdom in 1951, while Miss Universe was founded in California in 1952.
At just nineteen years old, Duijm became the first Venezuelan and Latin American woman to win the Miss World crown. Her victory was the first of Venezuela's many successes in the Big Four international beauty pageants.
Duijm went on to become an extremely popular Venezuelan television actress. She passed away at the age of 79 on June 18, 2016.
Sources:
“10 Most Gleaming Miss World Winners of All Times: Angelopedia: Latest News.” Angelopedia. Accessed February 5, 2023. https://www.angelopedia.com/News-In-Picture/10-Most-Gleaming-Miss-World-Winners-Of-All-Times-471/Susana-Duijm-Miss-World-1955-6728.html.
“Miss Venezuela.” Wikipedia, January 24, 2023. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_Venezuela.
“Miss World 1955.” YouTube, June 29, 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8VJxDCoBXg.
“Susana Duijm.” Wikipedia. August 13, 2022. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susana_Duijm.
