The first South African to win Miss Universe, the ever-glamorous and insightful Margaret Gardiner, is set to join the judging panel for Miss Universe 2024!
Global (29 October 2024) — The ever-glamorous and formidable force that is Margaret Gardiner is set to join the judging panel for the Miss Universe 2024 pageant later this year in a full-circle moment for her and South Africa.
Back in the late 70s, Margaret made history when she became the first South African to win the coveted Miss Universe crown while she was still a teenager. Now, decades later, she will be judging a new generation of Miss Universe hopefuls in the very same country where she won her crown—Mexico.
Margaret may have made history, but her story hardly ended in the history books. Instead, she went on to contribute four decades of influence in and beyond the realms of beauty and entertainment through her career as a journalist and advocate for social rights and women’s rights.
Here, she built up a fantastic reputation and unique insight into the challenges women face against glamorous backgrounds. Much of her insight is set to be unpacked in her upcoming book, ‘Damaged Beauty: Joey Superstar’, which is set to hit shelves early next year; described to be an exploration of the hidden struggles faced by women in a thought-provoking and powerful narrative.
As for her role in the Miss Universe pageant, Margaret shares that it’s an honour to “empower and change the life of a young woman.”
The Miss Universe pageant praised her selection, adding that “her elegance, experience, and knowledge in the entertainment and beauty industry makes her an iconic and respected figure in the world of international beauty. Her legacy inspires a new generation of women.
Miss Universe will be taking place on 16 November 2024, in Mexico City.
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