Margaret Gardiner (Miss Universe)

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Margaret Gardiner
Born
Margaret Gardiner

(1959-08-21) 21 August 1959 (age 62)
Height5 ft 10.5 in (1.79 m)
TitleMiss Republic of South Africa 1978
Miss Universe 1978
Beauty pageant titleholder
Hair colorBrown
Eye colorGreen
Major
competition(s)
Miss Republic of South Africa 1978
(Winner)
Miss Universe 1978
(Winner)

Margaret Gardiner (born 21 August 1959) is a South African journalist and beauty queen who is the winner of the Miss Universe 1978. She is the first South African woman to win the Miss Universe title. She was 18 years old when she won the pageant.[1][2] After the 3 semi-final competitions, she entered the 5 finalists in 4th place, but ended up winning the pageant after answering the final question.

During the event held in Acapulco, she received her crown from Janelle Commissiong, the first black titleholder of the pageant.[1] She was the only Miss Universe titleholder from South Africa until Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters was crowned Miss Universe 2017.

She holds a BA in Psychology from the College of Charleston and the author of two books on health and beauty and attended St. George's Cathedral where Desmond Tutu preached. She is now working as a print and television journalist in Los Angeles. She is married to Andre Nel, a professor of Pediatrics and Public Health at UCLA.[3][4]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b (25 July 1978). Judges Name Capetown Woman Country's First Miss Universe, Palm Beach Post (Associated Press)
  2. ^ (25 July 1978). Miss Universe Title Goes to Tall South African, St. Joseph Gazette (UPI)
  3. ^ "Andre Nel | California NanoSystems Institute".
  4. ^ "André Nel | Jonathan and Karin Fielding School of Public Health".
Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Trinidad and Tobago Janelle Commissiong
Miss Universe
1978
Succeeded by
Venezuela Maritza Sayalero
Retrieved from ""