Margaret Gardiner (born 21 August 1959) is a South African journalist and beauty queen who was the winner of the Miss Universe 1978, the first South African woman to win the Miss Universe title. She was 18 years old when she won the pageant.[1][2] After the three semi-final competitions, she was in fourth place among the five finalists, but ended up winning the pageant after answering the final question.
During the event held in Acapulco, she received her crown from Janelle Commissiong, the first black titleholder of the pageant.[1] She was the only Miss Universe titleholder from South Africa until Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters was crowned Miss Universe 2017.
She holds a BA in psychology from the College of Charleston, is the author of two books on health and beauty and attended St. George's Cathedral where Desmond Tutu preached. She is now working as a print and television journalist in Los Angeles. She is married to Andre Nel, a professor of Pediatrics and Public Health at UCLA.[3][4]
References
- ^ a b (25 July 1978). Judges Name Capetown Woman Country's First Miss Universe Archived 27 April 2020 at the Wayback Machine, Palm Beach Post (Associated Press)
- ^ (25 July 1978). Miss Universe Title Goes to Tall South African, St. Joseph Gazette (UPI)
- ^ "Andre Nel | California NanoSystems Institute". 20 July 2017.
- ^ "André Nel | Jonathan and Karin Fielding School of Public Health".
Miss South Africa winners in the Big Four beauty pageants | ||
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| Miss Universe |  | |
| Miss World | ||
| Miss International |
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| Miss Earth |
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