Carol Morris facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Carol Morris
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Morris in Copenhagen in 1958
|
|
| Born |
Carol Laverne Morris
April 8, 1936 Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
|
| Alma mater | Drake University |
| Height | 1.7 m (5 ft 7 in) |
| Title |
|
| Spouse(s) | Edward Burke |
| Beauty pageant titleholder | |
| Hair color | Brown |
| Eye color | Blue |
Carol Ann Laverne Morris was born on April 8, 1936. She is an American actress, model, and beauty queen. In 1956, she became the second person from the United States to win the Miss Universe title. This was the fifth time the Miss Universe contest was held. She was crowned by Hillevi Rombin, who was Miss Universe 1955 from Sweden.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Carol Morris was born in Omaha, Nebraska. She was the only child of a Christian minister. Her family first moved to Scott City, Kansas, where she went to elementary school. Later, they moved to Ottumwa, Iowa.
Carol attended Ottumwa High School. She was a very good student, graduating fourth in her class of 300. She was also a champion swimmer and worked as a lifeguard. Carol sang in her church choir and played the violin. After high school, she went to Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. There, she was part of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and a successful member of the swim team.
Beauty Pageant Career
Carol Morris grew to be 5 feet 7 inches tall. She had blue eyes and dark brown hair. Her first beauty contest was the Miss Ottumwa contest, which she won while still in high school. The South Ottumwa Boosters Club sponsored her.
While studying at Drake University, she won the Miss Iowa 1954 beauty contest. This allowed her to represent Iowa in the Miss America 1955 competition. For the talent part of that contest, she played the song Stardust on her violin.
Miss USA and Miss Universe
In 1956, Carol Morris won the Miss USA 1956 contest. There were 43 contestants in this competition, which took place in Long Beach, California. After winning Miss USA, she then competed in the Miss Universe 1956 beauty pageant. She won against 29 other contestants, also in Long Beach.
As Miss Universe, Carol met important people like Presidents Harry S. Truman and Herbert Hoover. She also traveled with Bob Hope to entertain U.S. troops. When she returned home to Ottumwa, Iowa, there was a huge celebration for her. A parade was held in her honor, and Iowa's Governor Leo Hoegh attended. The four-foot-high Miss Universe trophy was also part of the parade.
In 1956 and 1957, she appeared on popular TV shows. She was a mystery guest on What's My Line and later on To Tell the Truth.
Acting Career and Family Life
After her time as Miss Universe ended, Carol Morris started an acting career. Winning the Miss Universe title included a one-year movie contract. Her first movie was Crazy Love, where she starred with Jeff Chandler. She acted in several films and TV shows. Her last acting role was in the 1962 film Paradise Alley.
On June 30, 1959, Carol married Edward G. "Buzz" Burke in Chicago. He was an investor from Houston, Texas. They had a son named Christopher, born on April 18, 1960. The couple later had two more children. After her husband passed away, she remarried and had another child. She now has one granddaughter. As of 2010, she was still living in Texas with her husband.
As of 2015, Carol Morris was the only Miss Iowa USA to have won the Miss USA crown. She continues to be involved with the Miss Iowa USA pageant.
See also
In Spanish: Carol Morris para niños
