Miss World 1985

Holmfriour Karlsdóttir
ICELAND

Bets were on either Jamaica's Alison Barnett or Iceland's Hofi Karlsdottir to win the title - Miss Iceland won, while Miss Jamaica placed fifth. Journalist Ricardo Guiraldes, who covered the pageant for a Chilean newspaper in 1985, commented: "When we journalists put our eyes on Miss Iceland there was no doubt that she would become Miss World. She's one of the most stunning women I've ever seen!". Among the semi-finalists was Brazil's Leila Leal Bittencourt, who had better success in the next year, winning the title of Maja International 1986. Zaire's Benita Mureka, who had made a great impression in the previous Miss Universe pageant where she was in third place, was not only a semi-finalist but also won the Miss Photogenic award.