Miss World 1967

Madeline Hartog Bel Houghton
PERU

Madeleine Hartog-Bel, Miss Peru, a rave-haired, flashing-eyed photographic model - statistics 35-23-35 - became Miss World 67 at London's Lyceum Ballroom on November 16 of that year. She received the crown from India's Reita Faria. The results in 1967 were a triumph for Latin America, with Miss Argentina placed second and Miss Guyana third. Miss UK, Jennifer Lewis, who was joint favorite in the betting, came in 5th and said later that she had not expected to get so far. Miss Peru, who received $2,500 + $30,000 during her year of reigning, was so overcome she fainted on stage. She had to be revived with smelling salts. The big surprise of the contest was the failure of strongly-favored Miss South Africa to advance into Top 7 from the semi-finals. All 55 contestants participated in the final event despite an illness which forced five of them - from Finland, Denmark, Italy, Lebanon and New Zealand - to rest in bed during the last-minute rehearsal. Even Miss Greece, suffering from tonsilitis, appeared on stage