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Gladys Zender"Miss Peru" in 1957
Date of Birth: 19.10.1938
Country:  Peru |
Content:
Miss Peru and Miss Universe
In 1957, Gladys Zender won the Miss Peru pageant and became the first Latin American woman to be crowned Miss Universe.
Early Life
Zender was born to a Swiss father and a Peruvian mother. At the age of 17, she competed in the Miss Universe pageant in Long Beach, California, and won. Despite being under the minimum age requirement, the judges allowed her to keep the crown since in Peru, people are considered to be a year older after only six months have passed since their birthdate.
Miss Universe Controversy
That same year, Miss USA Leonna Gage was disqualified from both the Miss Universe and Miss USA pageants for being married and having two children. Miss Argentina, Mónica Lamas, took Gage's place in the Miss Universe semi-finals.
Personal Life
In 1965, Zender married Antonio Meier and retired from public life. Together, they had four children, one of whom, Christian Meier, became a renowned actor and singer in Peru and gained some recognition in other Latin American countries.
Later Years
In 2003, Zender allowed magazine Caretas to photograph her and her husband at their home, showcasing their collection of Inca art.
