Friday, September 11, 2009
Miss USA 1953
Myrna Hansen--Illinois
Results
2 Myrtle Beach (SC) - Mary Kemp Griffin
3 AL - Doris Edwards
4 WA - Nancy Petraborg
5 UT - Shauna Wood
After winning the Miss Illinois USA crown, Hansen, from Chicago, went on to become Illinois's first representative to capture the Miss USA title. She was chosen a runner-up in the Miss Universe contest of 1953. Hedda Hopper reported in March 1954 that Hansen should have been awarded the Miss Universe title. The winner, Christiane Martel of France, was exposed as having been only seventeen when she won. Her minor status was disclosed when Martel applied for a marriage license to wed Ronnie Marengo.
In January 1954 Hansen accompanied Martel in the sixty-fifth annual Tournament of Roses Parade. They were aboard the float (parade) entitled American Heritage. It was an entry of the city of Long Beach, California. Adorned by cupids and thousands of white orchids and chrysanthemums, the float captured the sweepstakes prize.
