Margaret Gardiner has been all things Miss Universe this year with her role as a judge at the 2024 pageant and now her upcoming book; she sat down to reflect on her own reign as Miss Universe in 1978 and how much the industry has changed for the better.
South Africa (09 December 2024) – Margaret Gardiner is getting excited to celebrate her upcoming book
Damaged Beauty: Joey Superstar. She sat down to share some of the big moments during her reign, including what she is proudest of and how she continued her legacy once she handed the crown over to Maritza Sayalero of Venezuela.
In her latest interview, Margaret gets candid about life after Miss Universe and her history-making win. She has had a busy year adding finishing touches to her memoir, which is out early next year, and the honour of judging the Miss Universe 2024.
Speaking of her proudest accomplishment during her reign, she shares that it was her rise above politics at the time and her embrace of her friendship with Miss Universe 1977, which the press often challenged due to South Africa’s apartheid regime.
“Being there. The scenario was like a movie. SA was not welcomed by the world. I entered to help publicise the first multi-racial pageant. Won it. The pageant was held at a time of strained relations for SA, although the people accepted me and loved me as an individual.
I was up against the favourite, Miss USA. When I won, the international press made a thing about me being crowned by the first black Miss Universe winner, Janelle, Miss Universe 1977 and we hit it off the moment we met and I was lucky enough to get to have some great conversations with her before the pageant.
Politics was never an issue between us and we derided the fuss each had to endure because of the framing. There was a lot of stuff not worth going into. That I held it together and pulled off the win was miraculous.
I think I helped to establish that a beauty queen could walk and talk at the same time.”
Margaret’s reign was at the height of the women’s movement around the world. She faced many challenges but, with the help of books, was able to honour the traditions and protocols of each country she visited.
“I wanted to honour the countries I visited. There’s tradition and protocol. I travelled with a World Almanac. It’s books that were printed before computers that you could carry in your purse. They had the history of each country so I’d read up on the plane. Almost always someone in the press would ask about a political hot potato at my reception at the airport upon arrival. I was never caught off guard.”
Speaking on her legacy after her reign, Margaret shares that in those days, it was different, you bowed out with grace and went on to live your life in private.
“In those days, it wasn’t really thought of. You had your turn in the spotlight, and you stepped aside so the next person could shine as you went about your life.
I do believe that in how I’ve conducted myself, that the ideals of inclusion, advocacy and representation have been delivered. I’ve always tried to be authentic and encourage the idea that we are more than others projections. I’ve also tried to be a social ambassador for South Africa. We are a world in one nation. We’ve done things few countries have been able to do. If the world invested in us our expertise would deliver at the highest level.”
As for her book, Margaret pulled many of her own life experiences to write it. She shares some beautiful nuggets, which are truly inspiring!
“It is kind of ironic reflecting back that these themes that are sewn into the psychology of Damaged Beauty: Joey Superstar – the subtext to the glamor and glitter of the world of movies and modeling – are actually themes I’ve spent my life proving. Do not be defined by others. Be your authentic self. Do not crumble in the face of adversity. Important themes that I’ve lived and that I hope resonate with women. Laughter. Of course that Joey Superstar is a wild woman with no understanding that that is what she needs to do and sets the world on fire as she fights to find herself is the fuel of the story. But the stuff will infiltrate your heart and your psyche is this theme I’ve lived my life by.”
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