Cuba is set to return to the Miss Universe beauty pageant in 2024 after a 57-year hiatus. From the early years when Cuban contestants made their mark in the competition, to the interruption of their participation following the Cuban Revolution, and the efforts of the Cuban exile community to keep the representation alive on international stages, Cuba's journey at Miss Universe is filled with memorable moments and notable figures.
This retrospective explores the milestones, trailblazers, and challenges that have defined the path of Cuban queens in one of the world's most prestigious beauty contests. The International Pageant of Pulchritude, held in 1927, was one of the earliest international beauty contests, considered a forerunner to modern pageants like Miss Universe and Miss World. This event took place in Galveston, Texas, attracting participants from various countries and establishing itself as the first genuinely international beauty contest.
Contestants were evaluated not only on their physical appearance but also on their poise, grace, and personality. The winner was crowned "Miss Universe," a title exclusive to this event at the time and not associated with the current pageant we know today. The pageant continued until the 1930s, but was halted due to the Great Depression and other economic factors, leaving a significant legacy in the history of international beauty contests.
Early Participation and Notable Figures
Cuba participated in the pageant for three consecutive years with Angelina Anduiza in 1927, Nila Garrido in 1928, and Elvira Moreno in 1929. There is no record of another Cuban participation in such contests until 1952, when the Miss Universe pageant was officially founded. In that year, Gladys López, the winner of the Miss Cuba title at the contest held at the Teatro Blanquita (now known as Karl Marx Theater), became the island's first representative.
In 1954, Cuba was represented by Isis Margarita Finlay, the great-granddaughter of renowned Cuban doctor and epidemiologist Carlos J. Finlay. She had four children and traveled to 51 countries over the next 53 years, passing away in Miami. Gilda Marín Montero, the 1955 representative, did not place but finished as the third runner-up in the Miss World pageant held in London, marking Cuba's first participation in that contest.
Memorable Achievements and Political Changes
Marcia Rodríguez Echevarría made history in 1956 by reaching the top 15 semifinalists in Miss Universe and also becoming a semifinalist in Miss World that same year. In 1957, María Rosa Gamio Fernández achieved the highest position for a Cuban contestant by finishing as the third runner-up in Miss Universe. Arminia Pérez y González, a television model, represented Cuba in 1958, followed by Irma Buesa Más, daughter of famed poet José Ángel Buesa, in 1959.
The participation of Flora Laughten Hoyos in 1960 marked the end of Cuba's involvement in the pageant from the island after Fidel Castro's rise to power. Castro dismissed the pageant as a "superficial whim," asserting that national efforts should focus on more significant matters. Flora later pursued a career as an actress and theater director. With the change in power, events like Miss Cuba and international participation were prohibited, leaving the country without representation in the global pageant.
The Exile Community's Efforts
Despite the restrictions, the Cuban exile community in Miami created Miss Cuba Free, a contest for Cuban women residing in the city who would later compete in Miss Universe. Sponsored by the political exile community, this event allowed participants to represent the thousands of Cubans who had fled the island. Between 1961 and 1967, six Cuban women competed under the title of Miss Cuba Libre in Miss Universe: Martha García Vieta (1961), Aurora Prieto García (1962), Alicia Margit Chía (1963), Alina De Varona Rodríguez (1965), Lesbia Murrieta Martí (1966), and Elina Salavarría De Mora, who was the last Miss Free Cuba contestant in 1967.
A special mention goes to the famous Cuban actress and singer María Conchita Alonso, born in Cienfuegos, who represented Venezuela in 1975 and finished as the seventh runner-up in the Miss World contest held in London. In that same competition, Cuban Maricela Maxie Clark secured the third runner-up position representing Cuba, with two Cuban women competing in the same pageant for different countries.
A New Chapter in 2024
Five decades later, Cubans will finally witness the participation of Marianela Ancheta, who will proudly represent Cuba in the 73rd edition of Miss Universe, set to take place in Mexico City on November 16, 2024. This event promises to be an exciting opportunity for the island to shine once again on the international stage.