In the early 1950s, the world witnessed its first international beauty pageant, which would later become one of the most famous events in the industry. The winner of the inaugural competition was a young Swede, Kerstin “Kiki” Håkansson, whose name would forever be etched into history.

The first Miss World pageant took place in London in 1951. Initially, the event’s organizer, Eric Morley, planned to hold it only once. However, the overwhelming public interest and extensive press coverage made the show so popular that it was decided to hold it annually. It was then that British journalists proposed the name “Miss World,” which quickly became known worldwide.

The main title at the first pageant was won by 22-year-old Swedish representative Kerstin Margaretha Håkansson, better known as Kiki. Her victory brought her not only international fame but also a cash prize of one thousand pounds sterling and an expensive piece of jewelry. Thanks to her sudden popularity, she became a sought-after guest in newspapers and magazines. Kiki holds a special place in the pageant’s history for another reason: she remains the only titleholder to be crowned in a bikini. After numerous comments and criticism from public and religious figures, the organizers decided to abandon this format for subsequent competitions.

The future beauty queen was born on July 23, 1929, in Stockholm to a police officer. A year after winning the pageant, she married Norwegian engineer Ole Hartner and moved to Norway. However, this marriage was short-lived and ended in divorce.

In 1962, Håkansson found happiness again, marrying American sculptor Dallas Anderson. The couple lived in Denmark for a time, then moved to Seattle, USA, where they settled for many years. They had three children, and the marriage lasted almost half a century, until her husband died in 2009. In addition to modeling, Kiki created clothing and established herself as a designer. Despite her international fame, she preferred a quiet family life away from high-profile social events.

Kerstin “Kiki” Håkansson passed away on November 4, 2024, at the age of 95. Her name will forever remain etched in history as the first Miss World titleholder and the woman who ushered in a new era of international beauty pageants.