Miss World 1954
- an amalgam
of news reports -
Brown eyed Antigone Costanda, of Alexandria, Egypt - as full of curves as a
scenic railway - won the title of Miss World over a bunch of beauties from
15 other countries. “I am very pleased. So happy,” she said when the
decision was announced. She received 500 pounds ($1,400).
Karin Hultman of
the U.S. was second and Efi Mela of Greece third. They received 100 pounds
and 75 pounds respectively.
Claudine Bleuse of
France was fourth, Frauke Walther of Germany fifth and Grete Hoffenblad of
Denmark sixth. They received 60 pounds, 50 pounds and 25 pounds
respectively.
The Egyptian winner
also received a large silver bowl.
Miss Costanda, the
20-year-old Greek-born winner, shouted “hurrah for Antigone” in French when
her name was announced.
“I hoped to get
into the first three,” she said, “but first was more than I expected. I am
going out on the town for the next few days before making plans,” she added.
Miss Egypt could
hardly be called Little Egypt, for she weighs 132 pounds, her height is 5
feet 5 inches, her bust 36 inches and her hips, which she swung to the
whistling delight of the Lyceum Theater audience, measured 36 inches also.
She appeared first
in a low-cut, clinging gown and later in a bathing suit. Her bathing suit
was made of gold cloth and was so thin that had Miss Egypt stooped to pick
up a rose bud there’s no telling what would have happened.
Said Miss United
States: “Gosh, I’m jinxed. I’m always second.”
Miss Hultman placed
second in a Miss U.S.A. contest in California earlier this year.
She was the first
to congratulate the gorgeous girl from Alexandria. And she did so with a
big kiss on her right cheek.
Little Miss France,
Claudine Bleuse, 17, who many spectators thought should have won, looked as
if she were going to weep any moment.
