Miss Universe 1979 was the 28th Miss Universe pageant, held at the Perth Entertainment Centre in Perth, Australia, on 20 July 1979. It was the first time in the pageant's history that the event was held in Australia.
At the conclusion of the event, Margaret Gardiner of South Africa crowned her successor Maritza Sayalero of Venezuela as Miss Universe 1979. This is first victory of Venezuela in the pageant's history.
Contestants from seventy-five countries and territories participated in this year's pageant. The pageant was hosted by Bob Barker in his thirteenth consecutive year, while Helen O'Connell provided commentary and analysis throughout the event. Donny Osmond performed in this edition.
Background
Location and date On 21 September 1976, former Premier of Western Australia Sir Charles Court announced that the Miss Universe pageant would be held at the Perth Entertainment Centre in Perth in 1979. The Miss Universe pageant in Perth was one of the activities marking Western Australia's 150th anniversary in 1979.
On 11 July 1979, Skylab—the first crewed orbital laboratory—descended from Earth's orbit and fell into the Indian Ocean. While most of the satellite's components landed in the Indian Ocean, many parts were scattered and reached Western Australia, where the Miss Universe pageant was taking place at the time. One of the satellite fragments was found in Esperance, 500 miles from Perth, and was brought to Perth to serve as a backdrop for the Miss Universe pageant.
Selection of participants Contestants from seventy-five countries and territories were selected to compete in the pageant. One candidate was selected to replace the original winner.
Replacements Elvira Puglisi was appointed to represent Italy after Alba Parietti, Miss Universe Italy 1979, withdrew due to scheduling conflicts.
Debuts, returns, and, withdrawals This edition saw the debuts of Bophuthatswana, Fiji, and Transkei, and the returns of Portugal which last competed in 1974; and Antigua, the British Virgin Islands, Mauritius, and Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla which last competed in 1977.
Patricia Pineda Chamorro of Nicaragua withdrew due to personal reasons. It was reported that her family allegedly received death threats because of her participation in Miss Universe. American Samoa, Bonaire, Curaçao, Lebanon, Lesotho, Morocco, and New Hebrides withdrew from the competition after their respective organizations failed to hold a national competition or appoint a delegate.
Results
Placements Placement Contestant Miss Universe 1979 – Maritza Sayalero 1st Runner-Up – Gina Swainson 2nd Runner-Up – Carolyn Seaward 3rd Runner-Up – Martha da Costa 4th Runner-Up – Anette Ekström Top 12 – Adriana Álvarez – Sarita Acosta – Lorraine Davidson – Veronica Wilson – Mary Therese Friel – Beverly Hobson – Andrea Hontschik
Final Scores Country/TerritoryInterviewSwimsuitEvening GownAverage9.362 (1)9.135 (1)9.416 (1)9.304 (1)8.872 (2)9.027 (2)9.100 (2)9.000 (2)8.671 (3)8.591 (4)8.936 (3)8.733 (3)8.509 (4)8.764 (3)8.818 (4)8.697 (4)8.300 (5)8.127 (7)8.409 (6)8.279 (5)7.918 (10)8.330 (5)8.454 (5)8.234 (6)8.118 (7)8.279 (6)8.118 (10)8.171 (7)8.100 (8)7.709 (12)8.335 (7)8.048 (8)8.125 (6)7.882 (10)8.118 (10)8.042 (9)7.764 (11)8.118 (8)8.218 (8)8.033 (10)8.009 (9)8.045 (9)8.021 (12)8.025 (11)7.380 (12)7.818 (11)8.150 (9)7.783 (12)
Contestants
– Elsie Maynard – Adriana Álvarez – Lugina Vilchez – Kerrie Dunderdale – Karin Zorn – Lolita Ambrister – Barbara Bradshaw – Christine Cailliau – Sarita Acosta – Gina Swainson – María Luisa Rendón – Alina Moeketse – Martha da Costa – Eartha Ferdinand – Heidi Quiring – Cecilia Serrano – Ana Milena Parra – Carla Facio – Lone Jørgensen – Elizabeth García – Margarita Plaza – Ivette López – Carolyn Seaward – Tanya Whiteside – Päivi Uitto – Sylvie Paréra – Katia Koukidou – Marie Cruz – Michelle Domínguez – Eunice Bharatsingh – Gina Weidner – Olivia Chang – Halldóra Jónsdóttir – Swaroop Sampat – Lorraine O'Connor – Vered Polgar – Elvira Puglisi – Yurika Kuroda – Irene Wong – Dian Borg Bartolo – Maria Allard – Blanca Díaz – Andrea Kake – Barbara Torres – Unni Øglænd – Yahel Dolande – Molly Misbut – Patricia Lohman – Jacqueline Brahm – Criselda Cecilio – Marta Mendoça de Gouveia – Teresa López Réunion – Isabelle Jacquemart – Cheryl Chaderton – June de Nobriga – Lorraine Davidson – Elaine Tan – Veronica Wilson – Jae-hwa Seo – Gloria Valencia – Vidyahari Vanigasooriya – Sergine Lieuw-A-Len – Annette Ekström – Birgit Krahl – Fabienne Tapare – Wongduan Kerdpoom – Lindiwe Bam – Marie Diaz – Fusin Dermitan – Mary Therese Friel – Linda Torres – Elizabeth Busti – Maritza Sayalero – Beverly Hobson – Andrea Hontschik
Notes
References
External links
Miss Universe official website