Miss World 1961
- an amalgam of news reports -

Rosemarie Frankland, an 18-year-old brunette beauty from Great Britain, was chosen as Miss World from among contestants from 36 countries.

She had come in second in the Miss Universe contest in Miami, Fla.

Welsh-born, she is 5 feet, 6 inches tall, weighs 124 pounds and her measurements are a perfect 36-22-36.  She is a professional model and had wanted to become an actress. 

“Hooray, I’m Miss World and I’m rich,” exclaimed Miss Frankland when her name was announced as the winner.  She was presented with a trophy, crown and scepter from comedian Bob Hope, one of the seven judges.  In addition, she won $7,000 in prize money.

“You’re the most beautiful girl I ever saw,” said Hope.

She had been favored for the title with blonde Romy Marz, 20, of Germany and brown-haired Jo Ann Odum, 19, Miss U.S.A. of Huntington, W. Va., who placed sixth.

Second place and $1,400 went to Miss Free China - Grace Li, 19, with vital statistics of 35-22-35.  She is a student.

Third place was won by Miss Spain - green-eyed Carmen Cervera, 18, another student.

Miss France, Michele Wargnier, 19 - who sprained her ankle the day before the finals - took fourth place.

Inge Jorgensen, 19, won fifth place as Miss Denmark.

Commenting on the fact that no American girl has won the title here in 11 years, Alfred Patricelli, 49, of Bridgeport, Conn., sponsor of the Miss U.S.A. contest said:

“Our girls are the sweet, flowery type generally.  They are lovely - don’t get me wrong.  But foreign women know how to project sex appeal, how to get the eye of a man they’re interested in.”

Patricelli said, “American girls are too reserved.  They won’t put themselves out to please a man and make themselves beautiful to him ...”

MISS WORLD 1961

1961 November 9
London, England
37 entries

Results
1  United Kingdom  Rosemarie Frankland (1st RU Universe-Wales '61)
2  Republic of China  Grace Li Shiu-ying 
3  Spain  Maria del Carmen Cervera Fernández (2nd RU International '61, 2nd RU Europe '61)
4  France  Michèle Wargnier (International '62)
5  Denmark  Inge Jörgensen 

Finalists
6  U.S.A.  Jo Ann Odum 
7  New Zealand  Leone Mary Main (International '61)

Semi-finalists
Argentina  Susana Julia Pardal 
Austria  Hella Wolfsgrubej 
Finland  Ritva Tuulikki Wächter (Universe '61, Europe '61)
Germany  Romy März 
Ireland  Olive Ursula White (SF International '63)
Japan  Chie Nurakami 
South Africa  Yvonne Brenda Hulley 
Turkey  Güler Samuray 

Remainder
Belgium  Jacqueline Oroi (International '61, Europe '62)
Bolivia  Nancy Cortez Justiniano (2nd RU Sugar Cane '62)
Brazil  Alda Maria Coutinho de Moraes
Ceylon  Sushila Perera
Cyprus   Andreava "Rita" Polydorou
Ecuador  Magdalena Dávila Varela (International '60)
Greece  Efstathia "Efi" Karaiskaki
Holland  Ria van Zuiden
Iceland  Johanna Kolbrun Kristjansdóttir
India  Verónica Leonora Torcato
Israel  Er'ela Hod
Italy  Franca Cattaneo (Europe '62)
Korea  Chang-ae Hyun
Lebanon  Leila Antaki (Universe '61)
Luxembourg  Vicky Schoos (Universe '61, Europe '61)
Madagascar  Jeanne Rakotomahanina
Nicaragua  Thelma Arana
Rhodesia & Nyasaland  Angela Joyce Moorcroft
Surinam  Kitty Essed
Sweden  Ingrid Margaretha Lundquist
Uruguay  Roma Spadaccini Aguerre
Venezuela  Bexy Romero Tosta

Did not compete
Tahiti  Tahia Piehi