The pageant that crowns the most beautiful woman in the universe has become a part of Filipino culture. TBH, the Miss Universe fever in the Philippines is on a different level, so much so that it is celebrated like a special holiday without any exaggeration. Well, next to Manny Pacquiao's fight.
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The Filipinos love it so much that for the past couple of years, the Philippines is considered one of the strongest countries with a sash factor in the pageant. The Philippines has won the Miss Universe title four times: Gloria Diaz in 1969, Margarita Moran in 1973, Pia Wurtzbach in 2015, and Catriona Gray in 2018. Along with these four Miss Universe titleholders, the Philippines has also produced several runners-up and top-placing finalists.
The Philippines is one of the most prosperous countries in the pageant's history, but did you know that a Filipino man won the first Miss Universe?
Meet, Virgilio Hilario
Armi Kuusela from Finland was the first Miss Universe titleholder in 1952. After winning the pageant, she returned to her home country and returned to school but was persuaded to continue her reign by Pacific Knitting Mills, the company that owned the Miss Universe brand then.
After her reign, she traveled around the world as a "goodwill ambassador" for the Miss Universe organization. During her tour in the Philippines, she met and fell in love with Virgilio Hilario, a Filipino businessman, and they married in 1953. Kuusela had to relinquish her Miss Universe crown to her 1st runner-up since she was already married and couldn't continue with her Miss Universe duties.
The couple settled in the Philippines, raised a family, and were active in their own businesses and charitable causes. Kuusela continued to be involved with the Miss Universe Organization as a judge for Miss Universe and Miss Finland and remained a popular figure in the Philippines. Kuusela-Hilario remained a beloved figure in the Philippines and represented the country in various international events.
Yes! You read that right. A Filipino won the first Miss Universe, but not in the way you think. Women are not prizes! Filipino businessman Virgilio Hilario won the heart and married the first Miss Universe, Armi Kuusela!
