Terry Meeuwsen facts for kids

Terry Anne Meeuwsen Friedrich (born March 2, 1949) is an American TV personality, author, and singer. She is most famous for co-hosting The 700 Club. This show is on the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN). Terry has been a co-host since 1993. She also started Orphan’s Promise. This group helps children in need around the world. They especially focus on helping orphans in Ukraine.

Terry Meeuwsen was also a beauty pageant winner. She was Miss Appleton in 1972. Then she became Miss Wisconsin in 1972. In 1973, she won the Miss America pageant. She was the first Miss Wisconsin to win the Miss America title. She won both the talent and swimsuit parts of the competition.

Terry Meeuwsen's Early Life

Terry Meeuwsen was born in 1949 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Her parents were Joseph and Beverly. She was the oldest of four children. Her father worked for a power company. Her mother worked for the phone company. Later, her mother worked for the Superintendent of Schools.

High School and College Years

At De Pere High School, Terry was very popular. She was chosen as homecoming queen. She was also a cheerleader for three years. After high school, she went to St. Norbert College in 1967. She studied music and drama there. However, she did not finish her degree.

From 1969 to 1971, Terry sang with a group. The group was called The New Christy Minstrels. She traveled and performed with them. She left the group to enter the Miss America contests.

Winning Miss America 1973

Terry won the Miss Appleton and Miss Wisconsin contests in 1972. After that, she competed in the Miss America 1973 pageant. Other contestants included Cynthia Sikes and Jane Badler. Both of them later became actresses.

During the Miss America competition, Terry won two awards. She won the Lifestyle and Fitness award. She also won the Talent award. Finally, she was crowned Miss America 1973.

Terry Meeuwsen's Career

After being Miss America, Terry started working in television.

Early TV Work

In 1978, Terry began working at WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She co-hosted a morning news show. It was called "A New Day." She worked there until 1986.

Joining the Christian Broadcasting Network

In 1981, Terry joined The Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN). This was in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She became a co-host for a new show. It was called United States Mornings ("USAM"). This show was 30 minutes long. It was sold to other TV networks.

Terry appeared on The 700 Club many times. She was a guest co-host in the late 1980s and early 1990s. In 1993, she became a permanent co-host. She worked alongside CBN founder Pat Robertson. Since 2000, she has also co-hosted Living the Life. This show is with comedian Louise DuArt. Both shows are shown on Freeform.

While on The 700 Club, Terry has interviewed many people. She has talked to women like Barbara Bush.

Orphan's Promise: Helping Children

In 2006, Terry Meeuwsen started Orphan’s Promise. This is a non-profit group. It helps children who do not have parents. The group works in 69 countries. This includes Ukraine. Terry and her husband adopted three children from Ukraine.

In 2022, Orphan's Promise had helped 114,000 children. Orphan's Promise is part of the Christian Broadcasting Network. It is their way of doing good in the world.

Terry Meeuwsen's Family Life

Terry Meeuwsen was married to Thomas A. Camburn from 1974 to 1979.

In 1981, Terry married her second husband, Andy Friedrich. They were married until he passed away. Andy died on July 29, 2023, at age 76. He had Parkinson's disease. Terry and Andy strongly believe in adoption. Most of their children are adopted. Their three youngest girls were adopted from Ukraine. The couple has seven children in total.