Miriam Stevenson became the first American to win Miss Universe, also holding Miss USA simultaneously, at the third edition of the pageant.
Key Facts
- Edition
- 3rd Miss Universe pageant
- Date
- 24 July 1954
- Winner
- Miriam Stevenson, United States
- Countries competing
- 33
- Star of the Universe crown value
- 500,000 USD
- Crown composition
- 1,000 Oriental cultured and black pearls, gold and platinum
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Following two consecutive Miss Universe victories by non-American contestants, the 1954 pageant drew representatives from thirty-three countries and territories to Long Beach, California, continuing the annual international beauty competition established in 1952.
Held on 24 July 1954 at the Long Beach Municipal Auditorium and hosted by Bob Russell, the pageant concluded with outgoing titleholder Christiane Martel of France crowning Miriam Stevenson of the United States as Miss Universe 1954. The event introduced the Star of the Universe crown, valued at $500,000 and featuring one thousand Oriental cultured and black pearls set in solid gold and platinum.
Stevenson became both the first American winner in the pageant's history and the first titleholder to concurrently hold the Miss USA and Miss Universe crowns. The newly introduced Star of the Universe crown was retained for use in the following six editions of the competition.