Miss World#By number of wins

In 1951, Eric Morley organised a bikini contest as part of the Festival of Britain celebrations that he called the Festival Bikini Contest.{{cite book |first1=Elissa |last1=Stein |first2=Lee |last2=Meriwether |title=Beauty Queen |page=[https://archive.org/details/beautyqueenheres0000stei/page/45 45] |publisher=Chronicle Books |year=2006 |isbn=978-0-8118-4864-0 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/beautyqueenheres0000stei/page/45 }} The event was popular with the press, which dubbed it "Miss World". The swimsuit competition was intended as a promotion for the bikini,{{cite book|first=Susan|last=Dewey|title=Making Miss India Miss World|page=[https://archive.org/details/makingmissindiam0000dewe/page/46 46]|publisher=Syracuse University Press|year=2008|isbn=978-0-8156-3176-7|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/makingmissindiam0000dewe/page/46}} which had only recently been introduced to the market and was still widely regarded as immodest. When the 1951 Miss World pageant winner, Kerstin "Kiki" Hakansson from Sweden, was crowned in a bikini, it added to the controversy.

The pageant was originally planned as a Pageant for the Festival of Britain, but Morley decided to make the Miss World pageant annual.{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/nigeria/1950s.html |title=Frontline World: A Pageant is Born |publisher=Pbs.org |access-date=24 May 2011}}{{cite web |url=http://www.covers.com/articles/articles.aspx?theArt=166289&article&t=0 |title=Bet on Miss World Pageant |publisher=Covers.com |access-date=24 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716192717/http://www.covers.com/articles/articles.aspx?theArt=166289&article&t=0 |archive-date=16 July 2011 |url-status=dead}} He registered the "Miss World" name as a trademark,{{cite book|first=Keith|last=Lovegrove|title=Pageant: The Beauty Contest|page=[https://archive.org/details/pageantbeautycon0000love/page/1967 1967]|publisher=teNeues|year=2002|isbn=978-3-8238-5569-9|url=https://archive.org/details/pageantbeautycon0000love/page/1967}} and all future pageants were held under that name. But because of the controversy arising from Håkansson's crowning in a bikini, countries with religious traditions threatened not to send delegates to future events, and the bikini was condemned by the Pope.{{cite book |title=Selvedge: The Fabric of Your Life|page=39|publisher= Selvedge Ltd. |year=2005}} Objection to the bikini led to its replacement in all future pageants{{cite book|first1=Ben |last1=Marcus|first2=Jeff |last2=Divine |title=Surfing USA!: An Illustrated History of the Coolest Sport of All Time |page=60|publisher=MVP Books|year=2005|isbn= 978-0-89658-690-1}}{{cite news|last=Magnanti|first=Brooke|title=Miss World bikini ban: why it's no victory for feminists|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/sex/10105935/Miss-World-2013-bikini-ban-why-its-no-victory-for-feminists.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/sex/10105935/Miss-World-2013-bikini-ban-why-its-no-victory-for-feminists.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|newspaper=Telegraph|access-date=22 August 2013 |date=7 June 2013}}{{cbignore}} with more modest swimwear, and from 1976 swimsuits were replaced by evening gowns for the crowning.{{cite book|first=Han |last=Shin |title=Beauty with a Purpose|page= 193 |publisher=iUniverse|year=2004|isbn= 978-0-595-30926-9}} Håkansson remains the only Miss World crowned in a bikini. In Miss World 2013 all participants wore a one-piece swimsuit plus a traditional sarong below the waist as a compromise with local culture.{{cite web |url=http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2013/06/08/bikini-ban-miss-world-pageant.html |title=Bikini ban at Miss World pageant |access-date=8 June 2013}}

Morley announced the Miss World winners in the order No. 3, No. 2 and No. 1. This was intended to keep the tension up, and avoid the anticlimax if Nos. 2 and 3 are announced after the winner.{{cite book |last=Rees |first= Nigel |title=The Bloomsbury Dictionary of Popular Phrases |year=1990 |publisher= Bloomsbury |location=London |isbn=978-0747503446 |page=116}}

In 1959, the BBC began to broadcast the pageant. Its popularity grew with the advent of television. During the 1960s and 1970s, Miss World was among the most watched programs of the year on British television.{{cite news |title=Miss World gets a makeover |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/167816.stm |date=9 September 1998 |website=news.bbc.co.uk |publisher=BBC News |access-date=9 October 2013}} In 1970, the contest in London was disrupted by women's liberation protesters armed with flour bombs, stink bombs, and water pistols loaded with ink.{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/womanshour/timeline/1960.shtml |title=BBC Radio 4 – Woman's Hour – Women's History Timeline: 1960 – 1969 |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |access-date=8 March 2014}} The 1970 contest was also controversial when South Africa sent two contestants (one black and one white). Henceforth, South Africa was banned from the contest until apartheid was abolished. More than 18 million people watched the pageant at its peak during the late 1970s and early 1980s.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1015014.stm|title=Miss World founder dies|date=9 November 2000|work=BBC News|access-date=18 February 2019}}

In the 1980s, the pageant repositioned itself with the slogan "Beauty With a Purpose", with added tests of intelligence and personality.{{cite web|url=http://www.tiza.com/pageant-archives/Miss_World/ |title=Tiza.com. Miss World |publisher=Tiza.com |access-date=24 May 2011}} In 1984, BBC1 controller Michael Grade announced that the corporation would cease to broadcast beauty pageants the next January, after it had shown Miss Great Britain, saying, "I believe these contests no longer merit national air time." He added, "They are an anachronism in this day and age of equality and verging on the offensive."{{Cite news|last=Ap|date=18 November 1984|title=BBC to Stop Televising Beauty Pageants|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/11/18/arts/bbc-to-stop-televising-beauty-pageants.html|access-date=28 July 2021|issn=0362-4331}} Thames Television broadcast Miss World between 1980 and 1988, when ITV dropped it.{{cite web|last=Gibson|first=Janine|date=7 October 1999|title=Miss World pageant set for TV return|url=http://www.theguardian.com/media/1999/oct/07/channelfive.mondaymediasection|access-date=28 July 2021|website=the Guardian|language=en}}{{cite web|title=Eric Morley – The History of Miss World|url=http://www.liveindia.com/missworld/1.html|access-date=28 July 2021|website=www.liveindia.com}}

During the early 1990s, mainstream television broadcasts of the event declined in popularity after it became "increasingly unfashionable" in the late 1980s. The pageant returned on satellite channel Sky One in 1997,{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/2855671/Morleys-global-vision-for-Miss-World.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/2855671/Morleys-global-vision-for-Miss-World.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Morley's global vision for Miss World|date=21 June 2003|access-date=18 February 2019|via=www.telegraph.co.uk}}{{cbignore}}{{cite web | url=https://www.himalmag.com/miss-third-world/ | title=Miss (Third) World) | date=31 October 1998 }} before moving to Channel 5 for three years (1998–2000).{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/222108.stm|title=BBC News – Entertainment – Miss World goes PC?|work=BBC News|date=26 November 1998|access-date=18 February 2019}}

Eric Morley died in 2000, and his wife, Julia, succeeded him as chair of the Miss World organisation.[https://web.archive.org/web/20080630205834/http://www.missworld.com/history_of_contest Miss World Contest History]

The first black African Miss World winner, Agbani Darego of Nigeria, was crowned in 2001. As part of its marketing strategy, Miss World came up with a "Vote For Me" television special during that edition, featuring the delegates behind the scenes and on the beach, and allowing viewers to phone in or vote online for their favourites. It also sells broadcasters its Talent, Beach Beauty and Sports events as television specials.{{cite web |url=http://www.worldcountrylink.com/miss_world.htm |title=Miss World facts |publisher=Worldcountrylink.com |access-date=24 May 2011 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100522022524/http://www.worldcountrylink.com/miss_world.htm |archive-date=22 May 2010 }} ITV broadcast the 2001 pageant from South Africa on digital channel ITV2, with the special airing a week earlier on the main ITV channel.{{cite web|url=http://www.c21media.net/itv-to-host-miss-world/|title=ITV to host Miss World|publisher=C21Media|date=25 October 2001|access-date=18 February 2019}}

In 2002, the pageant was slated to host its final in Abuja, Nigeria. This choice was controversial, as a northern Nigerian woman, Amina Lawal, was awaiting death by stoning for adultery under Sharia law there, but Miss World used the publicity surrounding its presence to bring greater global awareness and action to Lawal's plight.{{cite web|url=http://www.democracynow.org/2002/11/27/miss_world_2002_will_be_the|title=Miss World Riots in Nigeria|publisher=Democracynow.org |access-date=24 May 2011}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2116540.stm|title=Nigerian woman fights stoning |work=BBC News |date=8 July 2002|access-date=24 May 2011}} No British channel agreed to broadcast the event,{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2002/dec/07/fashion.gender|title=Dogged by criticism and ridicule, the Miss World pageant continues|first=Hadley|last=Freeman|date=7 December 2002|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=13 April 2019}} and there were objections to the contest.{{cite news|date=9 December 2002|title=Should the Miss World pageant have gone ahead?|work=BBC News|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/talking_point/2553049.stm|access-date=24 May 2011}}{{cite news|date=26 November 2002|title=Mayor's frosty reception for Miss World|work=BBC News|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/uk_news/england/2515189.stm|access-date=24 May 2011}}

Former Miss World Aishwarya Rai attended the Miss World 2014 ceremony with her husband Abhishek Bachchan, daughter Aaradhya and mother Brinda Rai.{{cite web | title=Aishwarya Rai: most successful Miss World ever | website=MSN | date=18 December 2014 | url=https://www.msn.com/en-gb/entertainment/celebrity/aishwarya-rai-most-successful-miss-world-ever/ss-BBgZPYt | access-date=19 October 2016}} The pageant has been broadcast on local TV channel London Live since 2014.

File:Ivian sar..jpg, Miss World 2011 at a school in Mumbai, India]]

The Miss World Organization owns and manages the annual Miss World Finals, a competition that has grown into one of the world's biggest.{{cite web|url=http://www.eleconomista.es/empresas-finanzas/noticias/60487/06/06/Miss-World-Organisation-and-Mauj-Telecom-Ink-Global-Deal-on-Mobile-Content-and-Applications.html |title=ElEconomista.es. Miss World Organisation and Mauj Telecom Ink Global Deal on Mobile Content and Applications |work=El Economista |date=6 June 2006 |access-date=24 May 2011}} Since its launch in 1951, the Miss World organisation has raised more than £1 billion for children's charities{{cite web|url=http://www.philanthropymagazine.com/Articles/11-1-miss-world.htm|title=philanthropymagazine.com|access-date=19 June 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016202427/http://www.philanthropymagazine.com/Articles/11-1-miss-world.htm|archive-date=16 October 2015}} that help disabled and underprivileged children.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1291&dat=19861114&id=sBdVAAAAIBAJ&pg=5834,4513645&hl=en|title=Miss Trinidad and Tobago is new Miss World|date=14 November 1986|newspaper=Boca Raton News|access-date=26 January 2016}} Miss World is franchised in more than 100 countries.{{cite web|url=http://www.economist.com.na/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=17097:newly-crowned-miss-namibia-2009-happie-ntelamo-&catid=542:headlines&Itemid=62 |title=Newly crowned Miss Namibia 2009, Happie Ntelamo |work=The Economist .na |date=19 June 2009 |access-date=24 May 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.warsaw-life.com/poland/miss-world-2006 |title=Warsaw-life.com. Miss World comes to Warsaw |publisher=Warsaw-life.com |access-date=24 May 2011}}

The Miss World pageant has been the target of many controversies since its inception.

• In 1970, feminist protesters threw flour bombs during the live event at London's Royal Albert Hall, momentarily alarming the host, Bob Hope.{{cite web|url=http://www.mw2006.pl/index.php?id=216&eng |title=Miss World 2006 |access-date=26 January 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080803200450/http://www.mw2006.pl/index.php?id=216&eng |archive-date= 3 August 2008 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/7-29-2003-43584.asp |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20090316054040/http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/7-29-2003-43584.asp |url-status=usurped |archive-date=16 March 2009 |title=L–ast milestone on a record-breaking comedy Road ... Bob Hope dies at 100 |publisher=Buzzle.com |date=29 July 2003 |access-date=24 May 2011 }}
• The 1973 winner, Marjorie Wallace, was stripped of her title on 8 March 1974 because she had failed to fulfill the basic requirements of the job. Miss World's organizers did not elect someone to serve in her place.{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2206&dat=19740307&id=vsIlAAAAIBAJ&pg=5690,3958787|title=Miss World is stripped of her title|access-date=12 October 2020|archive-date=18 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818213908/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2206&dat=19740307&id=vsIlAAAAIBAJ&pg=5690,3958787|url-status=dead}}
• In 1976, several countries boycotted the pageant because it included both a white and a Black contestant from South Africa.{{cite web|url=http://www.pageantopolis.com/international/world_1976.htm |title=Miss World 1976 |publisher=Pageantopolis |access-date=24 May 2011 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110623082606/http://www.pageantopolis.com/international/world_1976.htm |archive-date=23 June 2011 }} South Africa competed for the last time in 1977, before returning in 1991 as apartheid disintegrated.{{cite web|url=http://www.pageantopolis.com/international/world_1977.htm |title=Miss World 1977 |publisher=Pageantopolis |access-date=24 May 2011 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903002634/http://www.pageantopolis.com/international/world_1977.htm |archive-date=3 September 2011 }}
• The 1980 winner, Gabriella Brum of Germany, resigned one day after winning, initially claiming her boyfriend disapproved. A few days later it emerged that she had been forced to resign after it was discovered that she had posed naked for a magazine.{{cite web|url=http://www.pageantopolis.com/international/world_1980.htm |title=Miss World 1980 |publisher=Pageantopolis |access-date=24 May 2011 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008201347/http://www.pageantopolis.com/international/world_1980.htm |archive-date= 8 October 2014 }}

{{Main|Miss World 2002}}

In the year leading up the finals in Nigeria, several European title holders lobbied their governments and the EU parliament to support Amina Lawal's cause.{{cite web|url=http://www.thenation.com/doc/20021223/pollitt |title=As Miss World Turns |work=The Nation |access-date=24 May 2011}} A number of contestants followed the lead of Kathrine Sørland of Norway in boycotting the contest (despite the controversy, Sørland became a semifinalist in both the Miss World and Miss Universe contests), while others, such as Costa Rica, were instructed by their national governments and parliaments not to attend. Among the other boycotting nations were Denmark, Spain, Switzerland, Panama, Belgium and Kenya. There was further controversy over the possibly suspended participation of France and South Africa, which might or might not have been due to the boycott.{{cite web|url=http://www.pageantopolis.com/international/World_2002.htm |title=Miss World 2002 |publisher=Pageantopolis |access-date=24 May 2011 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101124032347/http://www.pageantopolis.com/international/World_2002.htm |archive-date=24 November 2010 }} Lawal asked that contestants not suspend their participation in the contest, saying that it was for the good of her country and that they could, as the representative of Sweden had earlier remarked, make a much stronger case for her on the ground in Nigeria.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/africa/09/25/nigeria.stoning/ |title=Woman sentenced to stoning freed |publisher=CNN |date=26 September 2003 |access-date=24 May 2011}}

Despite the increasing international profile the boycott was garnering in the world press, the contest proceeded in Nigeria after being rescheduled to avoid taking place during Ramadan, with many prominent nations sending delegates. Osmel Sousa of Venezuela, one of the world's most influential national directors, said, "there is no question about it [the participation of Miss Venezuela in the contest]." But the trouble did not end there. A ThisDay (Lagos, Nigeria) newspaper editorial suggesting that Muhammad would probably have chosen one of his wives from among the contestants had he been alive to see it resulted in inter-religious riots that started on 22 November in which over 200 people were killed in the city of Kaduna and many houses of worship were burned by religious zealots.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2508131.stm |title=Nigeria riots toll 'passes 200' |work=BBC News |date=24 November 2002 |access-date=24 May 2011}} Because of these riots, the 2002 pageant was moved to London, following widely circulated reports that Canada's and Korea's representatives had withdrawn from the contest and returned to their respective countries out of safety concerns. A fatwa urging the beheading of the woman who wrote the offending words, Isioma Daniel, was issued in Nigeria, but was declared null and void by the relevant Saudi Arabian authorities.{{cite web|url=http://www.isioma.net/sds03002.html |title=Miss World 2002 – The World at their Feet |publisher=Isioma.net |access-date=24 May 2011}}{{cite news|author=Isioma Daniel |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/feb/17/gender.pressandpublishing |title=Nigerian journalist Isioma Daniel tells her story |work=The Guardian |location=UK |access-date=24 May 2011 |date=17 February 2003}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2518977.stm |title=Nigeria's journalist on the run |work=BBC News |date=27 November 2002 |access-date=24 May 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://nigeriaworld.com/columnist/brisibe/112602.html |title=Miss World and Islam: "Fatwa" and Isioma Daniel a Nigerian "Fatwa" |publisher=Nigeria World |date=26 November 2002 |access-date=24 May 2011}} Upon the pageant's return to Britain, many of the boycotting contestants chose to attend, including Miss Norway, Kathrine Sørland, who was ironically tipped in the last few days as the favourite for the crown she had previously boycotted.{{cite web |url=http://www.moderngent.com/articles/miss_world_2002.php |title=Contestants boycott Miss World |work=Modern Gent |access-date=24 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110102230137/http://www.moderngent.com/articles/miss_world_2002.php |archive-date=2 January 2011 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2002/10/27/wstone27.xml |title=– Don't boycott Nigeria's Miss World contest, begs mother facing stoning |publisher=Telegraph.co.uk |date=7 December 2013 |access-date=8 March 2014}}{{dead link|date=July 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2002/09/01/wmiss01.xml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030218082920/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2002/09/01/wmiss01.xml |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 February 2003 |title=– Contestants threaten Miss World boycott over stoning |publisher=Telegraph.co.uk |date=7 December 2013 |access-date=8 March 2014}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/2219661.stm |title=Nigeria faces Miss World boycott threat |work=BBC News |date=27 August 2002 |access-date=24 May 2011}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2240790.stm |title=Miss World Nigeria boycott spreads |work=BBC News |date=6 September 2002 |access-date=24 May 2011}}

The eventual winner of the pageant was Azra Akın of Turkey, the first predominantly Muslim country to hold the title since Egypt in 1954.{{cite web|url=http://www.pageantopolis.com/international/world.htm |title=Miss World |publisher=Pageantopolis |access-date=24 May 2011 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110623084339/http://www.pageantopolis.com/international/world.htm |archive-date=23 June 2011 }}

{{Main|Miss World 2013}}

In Miss World 2013, protests by Islamic groups began a few weeks before the contest began, resulting in the pageant's finale and all pre-pageant activities being isolated to Hindu-majority Bali.{{cite news|title=Religious fury alters Miss World in Indonesia|website=CNN|date=27 September 2013|url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/27/world/asia/miss-world-pageant/index.html}}

{{Main|Miss World 2015}}

Anastasia Lin, Miss World Canada, was not given a visa to travel in China and hence missed the official deadline of 20 November 2015 for entry to the 2015 pageant, and was declared persona non grata by the Chinese Embassy in Ottawa for openly criticizing China's human rights violations. The Miss World Organization later allowed her to compete at Miss World 2016.{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com//news/national/miss-world-canada-blocked-from-contest-due-to-china-visa-denial/article27471171|title=Miss World Canada blocked from contest due to China visa denial|newspaper=The Globe and Mail|date=24 November 2015|access-date=19 June 2016|last1=Offman|first1=Craig}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/miss-world-canada-deemed-unwelcome-by-china-ending-contest-hopes/article27476426/|title=China declares Miss World Canada contestant 'persona non grata'|access-date=29 December 2018}}

{{see also|COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand}}

After the 2019 pageant, the organization chose Thailand as the host country of Miss World 2020, to be held in Phuket. But due to the spread of COVID-19, most national organizations and the Miss World organization agreed to cancel the 2020 pageant to assure the delegates' safety.

{{Main|Miss World 2021}}{{see also|COVID-19 pandemic in Puerto Rico}}

The edition was originally scheduled for the end of 2020 but postponed indefinitely due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web|url=https://www.caribbeanlifenews.com/jamaicas-miss-world-2020-will-reign-again/|title=Jamaica's Miss World 2020 will reign again|first=Vinette K.|last=Pryce|date=7 August 2020|website=Caribbean Life News}} On 8 March 2021, the date was set for 16 December 2021.{{cite web|last=|first=|title=Celebrarán concurso internacional de Miss Mundo en Puerto Rico!|url=https://www.metro.pr/pr/entretenimiento/2021/03/08/confirmado-celebraran-concurso-internacional-miss-mundo-puerto-rico.html|access-date=9 March 2021|website=Metro|date=8 March 2021|language=es}} The threat of the Omicron variant had already been detected in some parts of the world during the pre-pageant activities, as the disease started swept across the island. On 14 December, Miss World Indonesia Carla Yules tested positive for COVID-19. As a precaution, her roommate Miss World India Manasa Varanasi and five others were classified as suspected cases. Miss World Organization chair Julia Morley confirmed that the delegates were isolated and quarantined and would not be onstage for the final show if they did not produce a negative PCR test.{{cite web|url=https://www.elnuevodia.com/entretenimiento/farandula/notas/investigan-posibles-casos-de-covid-19-entre-siete-concursantes-de-miss-mundo-2021/|title=Investigan casos sospechosos de COVID-19 entre siete concursantes de Miss Mundo 2021|date=14 December 2021|website=El Nuevo Día|accessdate=16 December 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://california18.com/seven-candidates-for-miss-world-isolated-due-to-possible-contagion-of-covid-19/2067242021/|title=Seven candidates for Miss World isolated due to possible contagion of covid-19|date=15 December 2021|accessdate=16 December 2021|archive-date=15 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211215022545/https://california18.com/seven-candidates-for-miss-world-isolated-due-to-possible-contagion-of-covid-19/2067242021/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.inews.id/lifestyle/seleb/kabar-terbaru-carla-yules-di-miss-world-2021-ini-penjelasan-liliana-tanoesoedibjo|title=Kabar Terbaru Carla Yules di Miss World 2021, Ini Penjelasan Liliana Tanoesoedibjo|date=15 December 2021|website=iNews.ID|accessdate=16 December 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/miss_world_malaysia/|title=Miss World Malaysia|website=Instagram|accessdate=16 December 2021}} On 15 December, the Puerto Rico Department of Health confirmed 17 positive cases for COVID-19 related to the Miss World pageant activities, including contestants and technical personnel.{{cite web|url=https://thegoaspotlight.com/2021/12/16/they-identify-positive-cases-of-covid-19-related-to-miss-world-activities/|title=They identify positive cases of COVID-19 related to Miss World activities | The Goa Sportlight|date=16 December 2021|accessdate=16 December 2021|archive-date=16 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211216043951/https://thegoaspotlight.com/2021/12/16/they-identify-positive-cases-of-covid-19-related-to-miss-world-activities/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://ngoisao.net/17-nguoi-o-miss-world-duong-tinh-covid-19-4403981.html|title=17 người ở Miss World dương tính Covid-19|first=Ngôi|last=sao|website=Ngoisao|accessdate=16 December 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/lifestyle/fashion/2021/12/16/17-people-at-miss-world-2021-pageant-test-positive-for-covid-19-in-puerto-rico/|title=17 people at Miss World 2021 pageant test positive for Covid-19 in Puerto Rico|date=16 December 2021|website=The National|accessdate=16 December 2021}} On 16 December, it was announced that Miss World Malaysia Lavanya Sivaji had tested positive for COVID-19. She was required to be isolated for 10 days and not permitted onstage during the finals. The finale, originally slated for 16 December, was postponed.{{cite web|date=17 December 2021|title=Miss World 2021 temporarily postponed after several Covid-19 positive cases|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/fashion/miss-world-2021-temporarily-postponed-after-several-covid-19-positive-cases-101639708067082.html|access-date=17 December 2021|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}} During a 16 December Puerto Rico Department of Health press conference, epidemiologist Melissa Marzán confirmed 15 staff and 23 contestant positive cases associated with Miss World. She added that pageant organizers, not the island's authorities, decided to postpone.{{cite web|date=17 December 2021|title=Miss World 2021 postponed hours before finale amid Covid-19 outbreak|url=https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/miss-world-2021-postponed-covid-19/index.html|access-date=17 December 2021|website=CNN|language=en}} The rescheduled 70th Miss World pageant took place on 16 March 2022, at Puerto Rico's Coca-Cola Music Hall.{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CXw7H3HDDLG/ |title=Miss World on Instagram: "Press Release – 21st December 2021 Miss World announces new Pageant Finale and Coronation Date; Globally Televised event stays in Puerto..." |publisher=Instagram.com |date=21 December 2021 |accessdate=3 March 2022}}https://www.facebook.com/stories/1742997399111394/UzpfSVNDOjMyNzA0OTY5ODY1MTE1ODU=?view_single=true {{User-generated source|certain=yes|date=March 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/life-style/miss-world-2021-pageant-finale-rescheduled-date-puerto-rico-manasa-varanasi-india-7684505/ |title=Miss World 2021 new pageant finale date has been announced |publisher=Indianexpress.com |date=22 December 2021 |accessdate=3 March 2022}}

{{For|full list and details|List of Miss World titleholders}}

Krystyna Pyszková (cropped).png|Miss World 2023
Krystyna Pyszková
{{flag|Czech Republic}}

Karolina Bielawska P3202042 (52230263929).jpg|Miss World 2021
Karolina Bielawska
{{flag|Poland}}

File:Toni Ann-Singh Miss World 2019.jpg|Miss World 2019
Toni-Ann Singh
{{flag|Jamaica}}

File:Miss Mexico, Vanessa Ponce in 2018.jpg|Miss World 2018
Vanessa Ponce
{{flag|Mexico}}

File:Manushi-Chhillar snapped at a press meet in St. Regis, Mumbai (cropped).jpg|Miss World 2017
Manushi Chhillar
{{flag|India}}

File:Miss World 2016 (cropped).jpg|Miss World 2016
Stephanie Del Valle
{{flag|Puerto Rico}}

File:Mireia Lalaguna (48520628511) (cropped).jpg|Miss World 2015
Mireia Lalaguna
{{flag|Spain}}

File:Rolene Strauss at the annual Citron Polo event, 2018.jpg|Miss World 2014
Rolene Strauss
{{flag|South Africa}}

File:Miss World 2013 Megan Young (cropped).jpg|Miss World 2013
Megan Young
{{flag|Philippines}}

File:Yu Wenxia in Mumbai Airport.jpg|Miss World 2012
Yu Wenxia
{{flag|China}}

File:Ivian sar. (cropped).jpg|Miss World 2011
Ivian Sarcos
{{flag|Venezuela}}

File:Alexandria Mills at Robley Rex VAMC.jpg|Miss World 2010
Alexandria Mills
{{flag|United States}}

File:Freedom of the City - Kaiane Aldorino - September 2011 (cropped).jpg|Miss World 2009
Kaiane Aldorino
{{flag|Gibraltar}}

File:MissWorld 2008 (cropped).jpg|Miss World 2008
Ksenia Sukhinova
{{flag|Russia}}

File:Miss World 2007 - Zhang Zilin (3243539382) (cropped).jpg|Miss World 2007
Zhang Zilin
{{flag|China}}

File:Taťána Gregor Brzobohatá (2018).jpg|Miss World 2006
Taťána Kuchařová
{{flag|Czech Republic}}

File:MajuMantillaHuanchaco (cropped).jpg|Miss World 2004
María Julia Mantilla
{{flag|Peru}}

File:2016-02-01 Rosanna Davison.jpg|Miss World 2003
Rosanna Davison
{{flag|Ireland}}

File:Azra Akın (2004).jpg|Miss World 2002
Azra Akin
{{flag|Turkey}}

File:Agbani Darego Miss World 2001.jpg|Miss World 2001
Agbani Darego
{{flag|Nigeria}}

File:Priyanka At Nikon Camera Launch.jpg|Miss World 2000
Priyanka Chopra
{{flag|India}}

File:Yukta at an event in Mangiamo restaurant, Mumbai (cropped).jpg|Miss World 1999
Yukta Mookhey,
{{flag|India}}

File:Linor (cropped).jpg|Miss World 1998
Linor Abargil,
{{flag|Israel}}

File:Diana Hayden walks for Manish Malhotra & Shaina NC's show for CPAA 17 (cropped).jpg|Miss World 1997
Diana Hayden,
{{flag|India}}

File:Miss Mundo 1995, Jacqueline Aguilera.jpg|Miss World 1995
Jacqueline Aguilera,
{{flag|Venezuela|1930}}

File:Rai Aishwarya.jpg|Miss World 1994
Aishwarya Rai,
{{flag|India}}

File:Lisa Hanna (cropped).jpg|Miss World 1993
Lisa Hanna,
{{flag|Jamaica}}

File:Gina Tolleson.jpg|Miss World 1990
Gina Tolleson,
{{flag|United States}}

File:Mariasela Álvarez (cropped).jpg|Miss World 1982
Mariasela Álvarez,
{{flag|Dominican Republic}}

File:Silvana Suárez.jpg|Miss World 1978
†Silvana Suárez,
{{flag|Argentina|alt}}

File:Mary Stavin.jpg|Miss World 1977
Mary Stävin,
{{flag|Sweden}}

File:Jennifer Hosted, Miss Grenada as Miss World 1970.jpg|Miss World 1970
Jennifer Hosten,
{{flag|Grenada|1967}}

File:Bob Hope with Eva Rueber-Staier during USO tour on USS Saratoga (CVA-60) 1969 (cropped).jpg|Miss World 1969
Eva Rueber-Staier,
{{flag|Austria}}

File:Penelope Plummer (cropped).jpg|Miss World 1968
Penelope Plummer,
{{flag|Australia}}

File:Madeleine Hartog Bel (cropped).jpg|Miss World 1967
Madeline Hartog-Bel,
{{flag|Peru}}

File:Miss World 1966, Dr. Reita Faria in Africa.jpg|Miss World 1966
Reita Faria,
{{flag|India}}

File:Ann Sidney 1965.jpg|Miss World 1964
Ann Sidney,
{{flag|United Kingdom}}

File:Rina Lodders (1963).jpg|Miss World 1962
Catharina Lodders,
{{flag|Netherlands}}

File:Norma Cappagli in Argentina (cropped).jpg|Miss World 1960
†Norma Cappagli,
{{flag|Argentina|alt}}

File:Corine Rottschäfer (miss World 1959).jpg|Miss World 1959
†Corine Rottschäfer,
{{flag|Netherlands}}

File:Penelope Anne Coelen, Miss South Africa.jpg|Miss World 1958
Penelope Coelen,
{{flag|South Africa|1928}}

File:Marita Lindahl, Miss Suomi 1957 (2) (cropped).jpg|Miss World 1957
†Marita Lindahl,
{{flag|Finland}}

File:Petra Schürmann 5179.jpg|Miss World 1956
†Petra Schürmann,
{{flag|Germany}}

File:Miss Venezuela 1955 titleholder, Susana Duijm.jpg|Miss World 1955
†Susana Duijm,
{{flag|Venezuela|1930}}

File:Miss World 1954, Antigone Costanda (close up).jpg|Miss World 1954
Antigone Costanda,
{{flag|Egypt|1922}}

File:Miss World 1953, Denise Perrier, Frankrijk.jpg|Miss World 1953
Denise Perrier,
{{flag|France}}

File:May Louise Flodin a (cropped).jpg|Miss World 1952
†May-Louise Flodin,
{{flag|Sweden}}

File:Kiki Håkansson in 1950.jpg|Miss World 1951
†Kiki Håkansson,
{{flag|Sweden}}

Fast-track events of Miss World is a set of competition to decide the semifinalist or the placement of Miss World. Fast-track events was one of deciding factor to choose semifinalist beside Preliminary Interview by combining those rounds with using points system table. Prior to 2016 the winner of the fast-track events received huge amount of points but not securing semifinalist spot, however since 2016 the points system table in fast-track were abolished. Since then the winners of the "fast-track" competitions automatically make it to the quarter- or semifinals.{{cite book | last=Billings | first=S. | title=Language, Globalization and the Making of a Tanzanian Beauty Queen | publisher=Channel View Publications | series=Encounters (Bristol, England) | year=2013 | isbn=978-1-78309-075-4 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Oz0YAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA186 | page=186}} The Miss World fast-track categories are: Beauty With a Purpose, Multimedia Challenge, Sports Challenge, Talent, and Top Model. Miss World Talent added in 2001, Miss World Sports added in 2003, Miss World Top Model added in 2004, Miss World Beauty With a Purpose added in 2005, and Miss World Multimedia added in 2012. There was a fast-track named Miss World Beach Beauty (2003–2015) but it is a discontinued event due to dissatisfaction and cons in many conservative countries, this event was replacing Miss World Best in Swimsuit.

The Beauty with a Purpose is an event established in 1972 that is celebrated before the Miss World pageant.{{cite web | url=https://www.prestigeonline.com/sg/people-events/owner-miss-world-julia-morley-beauty-purpose/ | title=Miss World owner Julia Morley on beauty with a purpose | date=31 October 2018 }} It awards the contestant with the most relevant and important charity project in her nation. The first winner of Beauty With a Purpose was Miss World Korea 2005 Oh Eun-young.{{cite web | url=https://www.missworld.com/news/remembering-the-first-bwp-award-winner-oh-eun-young-from-korea/ | title=Flashback to the first BWP Award winner: Oh Eun-young from Korea | date=13 February 2024 }} Miss World 2017 Manushi Chhillar is the first and only Beauty With a Purpose recipient to win Miss World.

Miss World Talent is a talent or fast-track competition in which contestants show their abilities in singing, dancing, poetry, etc.{{cite web | title=Steffi makes top 30 in Miss World talent round | website=Namibian Sun | date=4 December 2015 | url=http://www.namibiansun.com/art-and-entertainment/steffi-makes-top-30-in-miss-world-talent-round.89580 | access-date=23 June 2016 | archive-date=1 July 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701054506/http://www.namibiansun.com/art-and-entertainment/steffi-makes-top-30-in-miss-world-talent-round.89580 | url-status=dead }} Introduced in Miss World 1978, the winner of the event automatically makes it into the semifinals starting 2016. The award returned at Miss World 2001.

The Miss World Top Model is a modeling fast-track competition.{{cite web | title=Miss World Top Model announced | website=India Today | date=2 December 2009 | url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/Miss+World+Top+Model+announced/1/73274.html | access-date=23 June 2016}} It was first held in 2004, but not in 2005–2006. It has been held since 2007; since 2016 the winner of the competition automatically qualifies for the semifinals.

Miss World Sports or Sportswoman is a title and award given to the winner of a sports event at Miss World. It is a fast-track or preliminary event, giving the winner automatic entry into the semifinals. In 2005, there was no Miss Sports winner because it was held as a continental team competition. Starting in 2006, the individual competition returned.

Miss World Multimedia or Social Media Award is a title and award given to the winner of a Multimedia Challenge. It is a fast-track or preliminary event, giving the winner automatic entry into the semifinals. The score is based on the contestant's likes on Mobstar and Facebook.

Miss World Beach Beauty was a swimsuit or fast-track competition.{{cite web |last=Manago |first=Lito |title=Miss Russia wins Miss World 2008; Philippines fails to make it in semi-finals |website=Yes! |date=15 December 2008 |url=http://www.pep.ph/celeb/spotlight/17747/miss-russia-wins-miss-world-2008-philippines-fails-to-make-it-in-semi-finals |access-date=23 June 2016}} The Beach Beauty event started in 2003, when the Miss World Organization first held fast-track events to automatically give a semifinal spot to some of the delegates. This event allowed the Miss World delegates (over 100) to have a chance to be in the semifinals. The winner made the semifinals automatically. The Beach Beauty event showcased different swimsuits designed by Miss World 1975, Wilnelia Merced. In 2013,The Beach Beauty event replaced swimsuit with Balinese sarong. While in 2015, the organisation eliminated the swimsuit competition from the pageant.{{cite news |last1=Lange |first1=Maggie |title=Miss World Pageant Axes Swimsuit Portion |url=https://nymag.com/thecut/2014/12/miss-world-pageant-axes-swimsuit-portion.html |access-date=22 December 2014 |work=New York Magazine |date=18 December 2014}}

{{incomplete list|date=June 2016}}

The following is a list Miss World hosts and invited artists through the years.

{{portal|border=no|World}}

• Beauty with a Purpose – a registered charity and nonprofit organisation associated with Miss World that raises money and participates in humanitarian projects across the world
• Big Four international beauty pageants

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-16/miss-world-feminist-or-old-fashioned-objectification/7416074|title=Miss World: Old-fashioned, sexist beauty contest or advancing feminism's cause?|last=Hunters|first=Story|date=16 May 2016|publisher=ABC News|access-date=21 June 2016}}

{{Commons category|Miss World}}

• {{Official website|https://www.missworld.com/}}

{{Miss World}}

{{Miss World titleholders}}

{{Miss World countries and territories}}

{{Big Four Pageants}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:International beauty pageants

Category:Recurring events established in 1951

Category:1951 establishments in England