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Miss Universe
Miss Universe is an annual international beauty contest, and the title for the winner of the contest, founded in 1952 by California clothing company Pacific Mills. The pageant became part of Kayser-Roth and then Gulf and Western Industries, before being acquired by Donald Trump in 1996. Despite its historical rivalry with the Miss World contest, Miss Universe retains unparalleled prestige in many parts of the world, particularly Asia and Latin America[citation needed]. The reigning Miss Universe is Zuleyka Jerris Rivera Mendoza, representing Puerto Rico. This event is sometimes referred to as the World Cup of Beauty.
History
The winner of 1950's "Miss America 1951" pageant, Yolande Betbeze, refused to pose in a swimsuit from major sponsor Catalina swimwear. As a result, the brand's manufacturer Pacific Mills withdrew from Miss America and set up the Miss USA and Miss Universe contests. The first Miss Universe Pageant was held in Long Beach, California in 1952. It was won by Armi Kuusela from Finland, who gave up her title to get married to a Filipino tycoon, Virgilio Hilario, shortly before her year was complete. Until 1958 the Miss Universe title (like Miss America) was post-dated, so at the time Ms. Kuusela's title was Miss Universe 1953.
The pageant was first televised in 1955. CBS began nationally broadcasting the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants combined from 1960, and separately from 1965. In 2003, NBC took over the television rights.
The main pageant was held in the United States until 1972, when it was held in Dorado, Puerto Rico. Since then it has usually been held in a different city each year, though Manila, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Bangkok, and Panama City have each hosted it twice.
The Crown
Design by Mikimoto. The official jewelry sponsor of the Miss Universe Organization.[1] Kept by the Miss Universe Organization to be used in the crowning of the new Miss Universe every year. Valued at $250,000. 800 diamonds, almost 18 carats. 120 pearls South Sea and Akoya pearls, ranging in size from 3.0 - 18 mm. Design depicts the phoenix rising, which signifies status, power and beauty. The Crown was designed specifically for the pageant on Mikimoto Pearl Island in Japan, Mikimoto crown and tiara first used for Miss Universe 2002.
Miss Universe 2006
The 2006 Miss Universe Pageant took place in Los Angeles, California on Sunday, July 23rd in the Shrine Auditorium. This was the first time since 1998 that the pageant was held in the United States and it was also the second time to have been held in Los Angeles.
Puerto Rico's Zuleyka Jerris Rivera Mendoza won the crown.
The first runner-up was Japan's Kurara Chibana, followed by Switzerland's Lauriane Gillieron. The third runner-up was Paraguay's Lourdes Arevalos and the fourth runner-up was USA's Tara Conner.
Miss Philippines, Lia Andrea Ramos, was chosen as Miss Photogenic; Japan's Kurara Chibana as Best National Costume; and Ghana's Angela Asare as Miss Congeniality.
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