Miss USA Pageant History and Winners

In 1952, the Catalina swimsuit company stages the first "Miss USA" beauty contest in Long Beach, California as part of its new "Miss Universe" pageant to promote its line of swimsuits. Thirty American contestants compete to be named the first Miss USA and represent the USA in the sister Miss Universe contest. Miss New York USA, Jackie Lougherty, wins the USA laurels and competes for the first Miss Universe title, but loses to Miss Finland, Armi Kuusela.

In 1957, the Miss USA pageant is embroiled in controversy when the newly-crowned Miss USA, Leona Gage, an 18-year-old beauty, is discovered to be not only married to an Air Force sergeant, but the mother of two little boys. She is dethroned. The emotional winner, who ironically has been turned in by her mother-in-law, explains that she entered the competition because she needed the prize money to supplement her family's meager military salary.

In 1965, the combined Miss USA - Miss Universe beauty contest officially separates into two televised pageants -- Miss USA and Miss Universe -- beginning a tradition that would become one of the highest rated television specials in the world. Apasra Hongsakula, Miss Thailand, and Sue Downey, Miss Ohio, win the Miss Universe and Miss USA titles, respectively.

In 1967, Sylvia Hitchcock, Miss Alabama USA, becomes the first Miss USA to capture the coveted Miss Universe title in seven years.  Miss Florida, Cheryl Ann Patton, assumes the Miss USA title.

In 1972, the Miss USA Pageant was broadcast live via satellite for the first time from Puerto Rico. The following year, the event launched the tradition of Miss USA pageants being broadcast from various cities throughout the country, unlike the rival Miss America pageant, which was exclusively held in the same city, Atlantic City, for almost a century.  

In 1995, Chelsi Smith, Miss Texas USA, became the first bi-racial Miss USA® to be named Miss Universe®.

In 2002, Halle Berry, who competed as Miss Ohio USA and finished as first runner-up to Christie Fitchner in 1986 Miss USA Pageant, becomes the first African American women to win an Academy Award (2002) for Best Actress, for her role in the film Monster's Ball.

In 2006, Tara Connor, Miss USA 2006, is nearly dethroned after reports are published claiming she has been partying at bars and nightclubs, underage drinking (in New York, the legal drinking age is 21), kissing Miss Teen USA, and other unspecified "misbehavior". On December 15th, 2006, in a  packed press conference, pageant owner Donald Trump announces that Connor will be given "a second chance".  He explains that Conner will complete a rehabilitation program and eventually resume her duties... and that if she slips up, she "will be immediately replaced." Connor attends rehab and completes her reign as Miss USA 2006 without a problem.

View all Miss USA Pageant winners

Pageant Results > Miss USA

• 2014 Miss USA Pageant - Nia Sanchez, Miss Nevada USA
• 2013 Miss USA Pageant - Erin Brady, Miss Connecticut USA
• 2012 Miss USA - Olivia Culpo, Nana Meriwether
• 2011 Miss USA - Alyssa Campanella, Miss California USA
• 2010 Miss USA -  Rima Fakih, Miss Michigan USA
• 2009 Miss USA Pageant - Kristen Dalton, Miss North Carolina USA, wins. Miss California USA, Carrie Prejean, was the first runner-up.
• 1982 Miss USA Pageant - Terri Utley, Miss Arkansas USA, wins

Related:

• 2014 Miss USA Pageant Facts - Nia Sanchez, Miss Nevada USA, wins crown
• Miss USA Pageant 2014 recap
• Miss USA 2013 is Erin Brady Miss Connecticut USA
• Erin Brady’s victory creates pageant history as queens from the Northeast now hold the triple crown – Miss USA, Miss Universe and Miss America
• Recap of the 2013 Miss USA Pageant
• Top 5 at Miss USA Pageant 2013 [PHOTO]
• The final two at 2013 Miss USA Pageant [PHOTO]
• Miss Utah’s bad pageant answer may have cost her the 2013 Miss USA crown!
• Nana Meriwether Miss USA 2012 shines during at 2013 pageant telecast

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