It all started way back in 1951 as part of that year's Festival of Britain celebrations. Officially titled the "Festival Bikini Contest," it was the British press who dubbed it "Miss World." The media frenzy welcomed a global audience bigger than international events like the World Cup and the Olympic Games.
Fifty years later, it attracts an annual audience of 2.5 billion people. Founder Eric Morley, a former bingo hall manager, originally intended the contest to be a one-time event. But when the Miss Universe Pageant entered the equation the following year, he decided to make his show an annual one.
Who could have guessed that it would also become one of the country's biggest generators of money for children's charities? It has now raised an incredible $250,000,000 thanks to the theme "Beauty with a Purpose," that was created by Julia Morley 25 years ago. This incredible success is largely because of the extremely strong and popular Miss World brand that has developed over the last 53 years - success that can be measured, by the fact that Miss World is now franchised in more than 140 countries.
For Eric and his wife, Julia, it then became a life's work and passion. Here's a brief look at the title holders of the pageant over the years.
{{/usCountry}}For Eric and his wife, Julia, it then became a life's work and passion. Here's a brief look at the title holders of the pageant over the years.
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