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Amparo Muñoz y Quesada
Born
Amparo Muñoz Quesada

(1954-06-21)21 June 1954
Died 27 February 2011(2011-02-27) (aged 56)
Málaga, Spain
Occupation Beauty queen
Actress
Title Miss Spain 1973
Miss Universe 1974
Spouse(s) Francisco Andion Gonzalez (1976–1983)
Beauty pageant titleholder
Hair color Light brown
Eye color Green

Amparo Muñoz y Quesada (born June 21, 1954 – died February 27, 2011) was a famous Spanish actress and beauty queen. She made history by winning the Miss Universe 1974 competition in Manila, Philippines. She was the first and, so far, the only person from Spain to win the Miss Universe title.

Amparo Muñoz decided to give up her Miss Universe title and crown after about six months. This was because she chose not to follow some of the rules and travel plans set by the Miss Universe Organization. Even though she stepped down, no one else was officially chosen to take her place as Miss Universe 1974.

After her time as Miss Universe, Amparo Muñoz became a very popular actress in Spain. She starred in many movies, including comedies like Mama Turns 100 and dramas like Clara es el Precio. She passed away on February 27, 2011, due to health complications. She was buried in the Roman Catholic cemetery of Saint Michael in Málaga, Spain.

Early life and first steps

Amparo Muñoz was born on June 21, 1954, in Vélez-Málaga, Spain. Her father was a blacksmith, and her mother was a housewife. Amparo was the oldest of six children. When she was seven, her godparents helped raise her because her family faced financial difficulties.

After finishing high school, Amparo worked as an assistant at a local newspaper in Málaga. The newspaper's director encouraged her to join a beauty contest called “El Certamen de Belleza de Costa del Sol” (Miss Sun Coast Beauty Contest). Winning this contest helped her enter and win the 1973 Miss Spain contest, which was held in Lanzarote.

Miss Universe journey

Amparo Muñoz started her journey from her hometown of Vélez-Málaga in Andalusia. After winning her local city title, she competed in the Miss Spain contest in Lanzarote. Her victory there led her to the international stage.

She then went on to win the Miss Universe 1974 pageant, which took place in Manila, Philippines. This was a huge achievement for her and for Spain.

However, after about six months, Amparo decided not to continue with her duties as Miss Universe. She chose to stay in Málaga with her friends instead of attending events like a parade in New York or a trip to Japan. She eventually gave up her crown.

Despite this, the Miss Universe Organization wanted to keep her as the official Miss Universe 1974. The first runner-up, Miss Wales Helen Elizabeth Morgan, was not offered the title. Because Amparo Muñoz did not pass on the crown to her successor, the Miss Universe of 1975 was chosen to crown the new winner that year.

Acting career

After her success in beauty pageants, many film directors became interested in Amparo Muñoz. She started her acting career in 1973 with the film Wholesome Married Life. In this movie, she played a character who tempted a married man. She also appeared in Tocata y fuga de Lolita, where her role helped make the movie popular.

She continued to act in several films, including Volvoreta (1976) and Del amor y de la muerte (1977). Her acting career took a significant turn when she worked with producer Elías Querejeta. This led to her starring in important films like Dedicatory (1980). This film helped her gain attention from directors in both Spain and Mexico.

Amparo Muñoz became a well-known celebrity in Spain during the 1970s. She was famous alongside other Spanish stars like Nino Bravo and Rocío Dúrcal.

In 1979, she acted in the comedy Mama Turns 100, directed by Carlos Saura. She also appeared in Todo un Hombre (1982) and A Paradise Under the Stars (1999). In 1980, she moved to Mexico for a period.

In 1983, she co-starred with Gloria Diaz, who was Miss Universe in 1969, in a Philippine film called “Hayop Sa Ganda” (meaning "Savagely Beautiful").

In 1989, Amparo returned to mainstream Spanish cinema with the movie Familia. She continued her life as an actress. She took a break from films for seven years between 1989 and 1996. Her family later asked her to return to Spain.

Later life and passing

Amparo Muñoz faced health challenges for a long time. In 2003, she was diagnosed with a brain tumor and an issue with an artery near her Cerebellum.

Her doctors told her that her health was very serious. She suffered two brain aneurysms, which are like weak spots in blood vessels in the brain. The first one caused half of her body to become paralyzed. Amparo Muñoz passed away on February 27, 2011, at the age of 56, in Málaga.

Her funeral was kept very private, as she had wished. Her body was cremated on March 1, 2011. Her gravestone is located at the Roman Catholic cemetery of Saint Michael in Málaga, Spain.

Filmography

Film

Year Title of Film Role Notes
1973 El diablo en persona Lupita
1974 Vida conyugal sana modelo publicitaria
Tocata y fuga de Lolita Lolita Villar
1975 Sensualidad Ana
Clara es el precio Clara Valverde
1976 La otra alcoba Diana
Mauricio, mon amour Doctora Verónica Anglada
Volvoreta Volvoreta
1977 Del amor y de la muerte Elena
Acto de posesión Berta
1979 El anillo matrimonial Alba
Mamá cumple cien años Natalia Brussels Film Festival Award for Best Supporting Actress
Nominated—Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
Jury Prize for Best Cinematography San Sebastián International Film Festival
El tahúr Alejandra
1980 Memorias de un visitador médico Magdalena
Dedicatory Clara Nominated— Palme d'Or en el Festival de Cannes
1981 El Gran Triunfo Rosita Montes
La mujer del ministro Teresa
Como México no hay dos Silvia Escandon
Las siete cucas Cresencia
Trágala, perro Sor Patrocinio
1982 Si las mujeres mandaran (o mandasen) Agustina
Hablamos esta noche Clara
El gran mogollón María Ángeles
1983 Todo un hombre Laura Monteros
Hayop sa ganda
Se me sale cuando me río
1984 El balcón abierto La Mujer
1985 La reina del mate Cristina
1986 Lulú de noche Nina
Delirios de amor Angélica Durán
1987 Las dos orillas
Los invitados La catalana
En penumbra Helena
1988 La luna negra Lilit Premiere San Sebastián International Film Festival
Best Cinematography Sitges Film Festival and Fantasporto Film Festival
1989 Al acecho
1996 Familia Carmen Premiere Vancouver International Film Festival
Best Cinematography Festival Internacional de Cine de Mar del Plata
Licántropo Dra. Mina Westenra
1997 Fotos Rosa Mejor película en Sitges Film Festival
Nominated - Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival
Elles Maria Premiere Palm Springs International Film Festival
1999 Tierra de cañones La Cantero
2000 Un paraíso bajo las estrellas Olivia Premiere Sundance Film Festival

Television

Year Title Role
1968 Hora once
1976 Las aventuras del Hada Rebeca
1982 Sonata de estío Niña Chole
1983 Las pícaras
Sonatas Niña Chole
1987 Vida privada Concha Pujol
1989 Brigada central Marisa
1993 Los cuentos de Borges Gracia
2011 El Caso de la Novia Dividida La Señora Hardisson

Stage

Year Title Role Notes
2000 La habitación del hotel Shelly

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Amparo Muñoz para niños

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