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Miss World facts for kids

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For the most recent competition, see Miss World 2023. For other uses, see Miss World (disambiguation).
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Miss World
Miss World logo.svg
Type International women's beauty pageant
Headquarters London, United Kingdom
First edition 1951
Most recent edition 2023
Current titleholder Krystyna Pyszková
Czech Republic
Founder
 Eric Morley
President
 Julia Morley
Language/s English

Miss World is the oldest international beauty pageant for women. It started in the United Kingdom in 1951 by Eric Morley. After he passed away in 2000, his wife, Julia Morley, became the co-chair of the event. Miss World is one of the four biggest beauty pageants in the world, alongside Miss Universe, Miss International, and Miss Earth.

The current Miss World is Krystyna Pyszková from the Czech Republic. She won the title on March 9, 2024, in Mumbai, India.

History of Miss World

How it Started and Grew

Eric Morley created Miss World to keep people excited. He would announce the winners from third place, then second, and finally the first-place winner. This way, everyone stayed on the edge of their seats!

In 1959, the BBC started showing the pageant on TV. This made it much more popular. By the 1960s and 1970s, Miss World was one of the most-watched shows in the UK.

Changes and Challenges

In 1970, during the contest in London, some women's rights protesters caused a stir. They threw things like flour to show their disagreement with the pageant. Also in 1970, there was a big discussion because South Africa sent two contestants, one white and one black. Because of this, South Africa was not allowed to compete again until apartheid, a system of racial separation, ended.

By the 1980s, Miss World changed its focus to "Beauty With a Purpose." This meant that contestants were also judged on their intelligence and personality, not just their looks. The pageant also started raising money for charity.

However, in the late 1980s and early 1990s, fewer people watched the show on mainstream TV. It moved to satellite channels like Sky One and then Channel 5.

When Eric Morley died in 2000, his wife Julia took over running the Miss World organization.

Miss World in the 21st Century

In 2001, Agbani Darego from Nigeria became the first black African Miss World winner. The pageant also started new ways for viewers to get involved, like voting for their favorite contestants by phone or online.

In 2002, the final event was planned for Abuja, Nigeria. This caused some debate because of a legal case in Nigeria involving a woman named Amina Lawal. Miss World used its platform to bring attention to her situation. Some countries decided not to send contestants to the pageant in Nigeria. Because of safety concerns and riots that broke out, the event was moved to London. Azra Akın from Turkey won that year, becoming the first winner from a mostly Muslim country since 1954.

In 2013, protests by some groups in Indonesia led to the pageant's final events being held only in Bali, which has a Hindu majority.

In 2015, Anastasia Lin, who was Miss World Canada, was not allowed to travel to China for the pageant. This was because she had spoken out about human rights issues in China. She was later allowed to compete in Miss World 2016.

The Miss World 2020 pageant, planned for Phuket, Thailand, was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Miss World 2021 event was also delayed due to the pandemic. Many contestants and staff tested positive for COVID-19, so the final show was postponed. It eventually took place on March 16, 2022, in Puerto Rico.

The Miss World Organization

Ivian sar.
Ivian Sarcos, Miss World 2011 helping out at a school in Mumbai, India.

The Miss World Organization runs the yearly Miss World competition. Since it began in 1951, the organization has raised over £1 billion for charities that help children with disabilities and those who are less fortunate. Miss World has partners in more than 100 countries around the world.

Past Challenges and Controversies

The Miss World pageant has faced various challenges over the years:

  • In 1970, protesters interrupted the live show in London.
  • The winner of 1973, Marjorie Wallace, lost her title because she did not complete the duties required for the role.
  • In 1976, some countries refused to take part because South Africa had both a white and a black contestant. South Africa stopped competing until apartheid ended.
  • The winner of 1980, Gabriella Brum from Germany, gave up her title just one day after winning.

Recent Miss World Winners

For full list and details, see List of Miss World titleholders.
Year Representing Miss World National Title Location Number of Entrants
2019  Jamaica Toni-Ann Singh Miss Jamaica World 2019 London, England 111
2020 No pageant held due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021  Poland Karolina Bielawska Miss Polonia 2019 San Juan, Puerto Rico 97
2022 No pageant held due to the delay of the 2021 pageant
2023  Czech Republic Krystyna Pyszková Miss Czech Republic 2022 Mumbai, India 112

Winners Gallery

Special Competitions at Miss World

Miss World has special "fast-track" events. Winners of these events automatically get a spot in the semifinals. These events help show off different skills and talents of the contestants. The main fast-track categories are: Beauty With a Purpose, Multimedia Challenge, Sports Challenge, Talent, and Top Model.

Beauty With a Purpose

This event started in 1972. It celebrates the contestant who has the best and most important charity project in her home country. For example, Manushi Chhillar, who won Miss World in 2017, was also the first and only Beauty With a Purpose winner to win the main Miss World title.

Miss World Talent

In this competition, contestants show off their special talents, like singing, dancing, or poetry. This event helps show the artistic side of the contestants.

Miss World Top Model

This is a modeling competition. It helps find the contestant with the best modeling skills and runway presence.

Miss World Sports Challenge

This event tests the contestants' athletic abilities. It's a way to show that beauty also includes being strong and active.

Discontinued Event: Miss World Beach Beauty

The Miss World Beach Beauty event used to be a swimsuit competition. It was stopped in 2015 because some countries found it controversial.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Miss Mundo para niños

  • Beauty with a Purpose – a charity linked to Miss World that raises money for good causes around the world.
  • Big Four beauty pageants – the four largest international beauty pageants.
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