First Miss Universe runner-up from Greece, Daisy Mavraki, passes away aged 83

Daisy Mavraki, who was the second runner up at the first Miss Universe pageant in 1952 had dies aged 83, state reports. Mavraki represented Greece in the contest. She was declared the most beautiful Greek woman in the first beauty contest that was hosted at the Greek capital post the Second World War. [caption id=“attachment_5638591” align=“alignnone” width=“825”] Daisy Mavraki at the Miss Universe pageant. Image from Facebook[/caption] The 1952 ceremony was hosted at the Grand Britannia Hotel on Syntagma Square at the time. The event was attended by most of Athenian high society, that included the then prime minister, Alexandros Papagos. It was hosted by popular Greek actress, singer and politician Melina Merkouri. The first Miss Universe pageant was held in California and was won by Armi Kuusela from Finland. Kuusela gave up her title shortly after receiving it, in order to get married. The tradition for the contest, till 1958, was that the title would be dated by the following year. Thus, Kuusela was declared, Miss Universe 1953. The contest airs in more than 190 countries worldwide and viewed by over half a billion people annually. Miss Universe, along with Miss World, Miss International, and Miss Earth, comprise of the Big Four international beauty pageants. Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters of South Africa presently holds the title and was crowned on 26 November, 2017 in Las Vegas, United States.