Miss Universe 1975 was the 24th Miss Universe pageant, held on 19 July 1975 at the National Gymnasium in San Salvador, El Salvador. Anne Marie Pohtamo won the title for Finland, thus making her the second Finnish woman to win the Miss Universe crown after Armi Kuusela, who was the first Miss Universe winner, in 1952. After Spain's Amparo Muñoz resigned the previous year, her successor was crowned by Miss Universe 1972, Kerry Anne Wells of Australia.
| Miss Universe 1975 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Date | 19 July 1975 |
| Presenters | Bob Barker |
| Venue | National Gymnasium, San Salvador, El Salvador |
| Broadcaster | |
| Entrants | 71 |
| Placements | 12 |
| Debuts | |
| Withdrawals | |
| Returns | |
| Winner | Anne Marie Pohtamo  Finland |
| Congeniality | Christine Mary Jackson  Trinidad and Tobago |
| Best National Costume | Emy Elivia Abascal  Guatemala |
| Photogenic | Martha Echeverry  Colombia Summer Bartholomew  United States |
Background
Location and date
According to the New York Times, August 5, "while a worldwide television audience saw El Salvador’s sunny beaches before the “Miss Universe” finals July 19, off-camera heavily armed troops were called out to halt demonstrations by students protesting the Government's expenditure of $1-million on the contest." Protests took place in Santa Ana and San Salvador, resulting in a student massacre with far-reaching consequences for the country. Again, from the NY Times: "According to the military Government, which contended that the march was part of a “Communist plot”, one person was killed, five wounded, and 11 arrested. But according to the students, at least 12 persons were killed, 20 wounded, and 40 arrested".[1]
Selection of participants
Sirikwan Nantasiri, Miss Thailand Universe 1975 (not to be confused with Miss Universe Thailand), refused to compete in order to achieve acting career. The pageant authorities decided to send Wanlaya Thonawanik, her 3rd runner-up to compete instead.[2]
Results
Placements
| Placement | Contestant |
|---|---|
| Miss Universe 1975 | |
| 1st runner-up |
|
| 2nd runner-up | |
| 3rd runner-up |
|
| 4th runner-up |
|
| Top 12 |
|
Contestants
References
- ^ "Unrest Growing in El Salvador: Demonstrations Put Down After Protest Against Beauty Contest", New York Times, August 5, 1975.
- ^ "Miss Thailand Universe 1974 - 1983 era" (in Thai).