Gladys Zender became the first Peruvian to win Miss Universe, retaining her crown despite being below the minimum age requirement.
Key Facts
- Edition
- 6th Miss Universe pageant
- Date
- 19 July 1957
- Winner
- Gladys Zender, Peru
- Countries competing
- 32
- Winner's age at crowning
- 17 years old (5 months under minimum)
- Host
- Bob Russell (6th consecutive time)
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The annual Miss Universe competition, established in 1952, brought together contestants from thirty-two countries and territories to compete in Long Beach, California. Peru's Gladys Zender entered the pageant, though she was seventeen years old at the time, five months short of the official minimum age of eighteen.
The sixth Miss Universe pageant was held on 19 July 1957 at the Long Beach Municipal Auditorium. Gladys Zender of Peru was crowned by outgoing titleholder Carol Morris of the United States, making Zender the first Peruvian to win the competition. The event was hosted by Bob Russell for the sixth consecutive time.
After her victory, Zender's age was revealed to fall below the contest's minimum requirement. Pageant officials allowed her to retain the crown after the Peruvian ambassador, Fernando Berckemeyer Pazos, explained that an old Peruvian custom considered her to be of legal adult age in her home country, setting a notable precedent in pageant history.