The most prestigious of all pageants, Miss World pageant, completes its 64 years today. Exactly 64 years ago, on July 29’ 1951, the first Miss World finale was held at the Lyceum Ballroom in London, England. 26 girls competed for the title of Miss World, out of which 5 girls were from Denmark, France, Sweden, United States of America and Holland while the rest were British nationals. Kiki Håkansson from Sweden was the first winner of the pageant.

The pageant which started off with 26 contestants is now a grand success which attracts the largest number of contestants. The pageant is also popular for the values that it celebrates as part of its Beauty with a Purpose mission. The pageant was originally called “Festival Bikini Contest” and it was organized as mid-century advertisement for swimwear at the festival of Britain.

However, Bikinis from Miss World were banned in the year 1952 as condemned by the Pope and countries with religious traditions. And Håkansson is the only Miss World to be crowned in a bikini. Later, Bikini round did become a part of the Miss World pageant again, which has been again put to an end, as announced on December 2014.

So much ahs changed for the Miss World pageant in these 64 years. The pageant now seeks participation form more than 100 countries and held in different parts of the world. The pageant sets the perfect example of how even the greatest of things have modest beginnings.