Armi Kuusela facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Armi Kuusela
|
|
|---|---|
Kuusela in 1952
|
|
| Born |
Armi Helena Kuusela
20 August 1934 Muhos, Finland
|
| Height | 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in) |
| Title |
|
| Spouse(s) |
|
| Children | 5 |
| Beauty pageant titleholder | |
| Hair color | Blonde |
| Eye color | Blue |
| Major competition(s) |
|
Armi Helena Kuusela-Williams was born on August 20, 1934. She is a Finnish-American who was once a beauty queen. She is famous for being the very first Miss Universe! In 1952, Armi won a beauty contest in Finland called Suomen Neito. This win allowed her to represent Finland in the first-ever Miss Universe pageant. It was held in Long Beach, California. After winning Miss Universe, Armi spent her life helping others. She also worked in business and represented her country. She has been part of many charities and received awards for her good work.
Early Life
Armi Helena Kuusela grew up in Finland. She was one of six children. Her parents owned a small family business. Her father was a brave soldier who fought for Finland in World War II.
Armi went to school in her hometown of Muhos. She also attended a boarding school in Porvoo, Finland. One day, her roommate's mom saw an ad looking for someone to represent Finland in a beauty contest. This contest was called Suomen Neito, which means Maiden of Finland. Armi was invited to join, which was a big surprise!
On May 24, 1952, Armi won the Suomen Neito title. This made her the official representative for Finland in the first Miss Universe Pageant. It also made her a special ambassador for her country. As part of her prize, she received a plane ticket to travel to the Miss Universe contest.
Miss Universe
On June 17, 1952, Armi flew from Helsinki to Long Beach, California. Her older sister traveled with her as a chaperone. Armi was there to compete in the first Miss Universe Pageant.
Thirty contestants took part in the pageant, which happened on June 28, 1952. Armi Kuusela, representing Finland, won the very first Miss Universe crown! She was only 17 years old when she won.
Armi received many prizes, including a new car and a movie contract. As Miss Universe, she also became a special ambassador for the Miss Universe organization.
Armi Kuusela was the only Miss Universe to be crowned with a special crown. It was called the Romanov Imperial Nuptial Crown. This crown used to belong to the Russian royal family.
That same year, Armi also starred in a Finnish movie about her life. It was called Maailman kaunein tyttö, which means The Most Beautiful Girl in the World.
Life After Miss Universe
After winning Miss Universe, the Finnish government asked Armi to attend the Olympics in Finland. While there, she was invited to visit the Philippines for their first International Trade Exposition.
On February 22, 1953, Armi started a world tour with her sister. She went to the Philippines Exposition and crowned their Miss Philippines. While in the Philippines, she met a businessman named Virgilio Hilario. They met at a dance in Baguio.
Armi and her sister continued their tour to Japan. Virgilio Hilario followed her there. After a short time, Armi decided to give up her Miss Universe crown early. She married Virgilio Hilario on May 4, 1953, in Tokyo. They went on their honeymoon in Hawai‘i and then traveled around the United States and Europe. After their travels, they settled down in Manila, Philippines.
Armi and Virgilio started a real estate company together. They even owned a hotel called the Gilarmi Hotel. Between 1955 and 1965, they had five children: Arne, Anna-Lisa, José, Eva-Maria, and Miguel. Virgilio Hilario passed away on September 7, 1975. Armi then became the head of their company until 1979. She also served as an honorary representative for Finland in Manila.
Armi married a second time on June 8, 1978. Her second husband was Albert N. Williams, an American diplomat. Armi supported him in his work. They lived in Barcelona, Spain, from 1979 to 1983. Then they moved to İzmir, Turkey, from 1985 to 1989.
In 1989, Armi and Albert retired. They settled in La Jolla, California. In 1996, Armi became a citizen of the United States. By this time, she had traveled all over the world and lived in many countries. She could speak seven different languages!
Since retiring, Armi Kuusela has worked on many charitable causes. She has been involved with art museums and research institutes. She also supports organizations that help children and fight diseases. For example, she has been a part of the San Diego Museum of Art and the University of California, San Diego. She also helped the San Diego Youth Symphony and Conservatory raise money for scholarships for children. In 2014, she was honored by the Order of Saint John, a British organization that does charity work.
Armi Kuusela has received many awards for her charity work. In 2000, she received the Deming Award and the Paul Harris Award. In 2008, she received the Fishman Foundation Award. In 2011, the City of San Diego even named August 10 as "Armi Kuusela Williams Day"! In 2012, the President of Finland gave Armi a special award called the Order of the White Rose of Finland.
In August 2014, Armi visited her hometown of Muhos in Finland. She had an official meeting with the city's manager.
See Also
In Spanish: Armi Kuusela para niños
