Who would have thought that in 1952, a local "bathing beauty" competition spearheaded by Catalina Swimwear in Long Beach, CA would transformed into an international annual tradition with countless young women around the world vying to become apart of Miss Universe history? As hundreds of millions of fans have watched around the globe, the homegrown contest has evolved into a powerful, year-round, international organization that advances and supports opportunities for these young women.

These women are savvy, goal-oriented and aware. The delegates who become part of the Miss Universe Organization display those characteristics in their everyday lives, both as individuals, who compete with hope of advancing their careers, personal and humanitarian goals, and as women who see to improve the lives of others.

The Miss Universe Organization produces the internationally-recognized MISS UNIVERSE®, MISS USA® and MISS TEEN USA® competitions. The MISS UNIVERSE® and MISS USA® competitions air as live specials and consistently rank among the most-watched television programming in the world.

MISS USA®
Since MISS USA began in 1952, titleholders and tens of thousands of women in the fifty states and the District of Columbia have contributed to making the competition a national tradition. In 1972, the 21st annual search for Miss USA was held in Puerto Rico and was broadcast live via satellite for the first time. Since then, the show has traveled to diverse American cities including:

• Las Vegas, Nevada (2010, 2009, 2008)
• Los Angeles, California (2007)
• Baltimore, Maryland (2006, 2005)
• Los Angeles, California (2004)
• San Antonio, Texas (2003)
• Gary, Indiana (2002, 2001)
• Branson, Missouri (1999, 2000)
• Shreveport - Bossier, Louisiana (1998, 1997)
• South Padre Island, Texas (1996, 1995, 1994)
• Wichita, Kansas (1990, 1991, 1992, 1993)
• Mobile, Alabama (1989)
• El Paso, Texas (1988)
• Albuquerque, New Mexico (1987)
• Miami, Florida (1986)
• Lakeland, Florida (1984, 1985)
• Knoxville, Tennessee (1983)
• Mississippi Gulf Coast (1979, 1980, 1981, 1982)
• Charleston, South Carolina (1977, 1978)
• Niagara Falls, New York (1974, 1975, 1976)
• New York, New York (1973)

MISS UNIVERSE®
Satellite developments in the 1970's allowed the Miss Universe competition to travel outside the United States, and in 1972, via satellite, for the first time from Dorado, Puerto Rico. That event inaugurated a series of annual television specials, which presented the culture and attractions of some of the most spectacular regions of the world to an international audience of hundreds of millions of people. From Puerto Rico, the competition traveled to these exciting locations:

• Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas (2009)
• Nha Trang, Vietnam (2008)
• Mexico City, Mexico (1993, 2007)
• Los Angeles, California (1990, 2006)
• Bangkok, Thailand (1992, 2005)
• Quito, Ecuador (2004)
• Puerto Rico (2001, 2002)
• Cyprus (2000)
• Trinidad & Tobago (1999)
• Honolulu, Hawaii (1998)
• Miami Beach, Florida (1997)
• Las Vegas, Nevada (1996)
• Windhoek, Namibia (1995)
• Manila, Philippines (1994)
• Las Vegas, Nevada (1991)
• Cancun, Mexico (1989)
• Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China (1988)
• Singapore (1987)
• Panama City, Panama (1986, 2003)
• Miami, Florida (1984, 1985)
• St. Louis, Missouri (1983)
• Lima, Peru (1982)
• New York, New York (1981)
• Seoul, South Korea (1980)
• Perth, Australia (1979)
• Acapulco, Mexico (1978)
• The Dominican Republic (1977)
• Hong Kong (1976)
• El Salvador (1975)
• Manila, Philippines (1974)
• Athens, Greece (1973)

MISS TEEN USA®
The Miss Teen USA competition became an annual event in 1983 after it attracted strong television ratings following its debut in Lakeland, Florida. Since then, the following cities have hosted the show:

• Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas (2009, 2008)
• Pasadena, California (2007)
• Palm Springs, California (2003, 2004, 2006)
• Baton Rouge, Louisiana (2005)
• Shreveport-Bossier, Louisiana (1998, 1999, 2000)
• South Padre Island, Texas (1997, 2001, 2002)
• Las Cruces, New Mexico (1996)
• Wichita, Kansas (1995)
• Mississippi Gulf Coast (1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994)
• San Bernadino, California (1988, 1989)
• El Paso, Texas (1987)
• Daytona Beach, Florida (1986)
• Miami, Florida (1985)
• Memphis, Tennessee (1984)

CORPORATE INFORMATION
The MISS UNIVERSE®, MISS USA® and MISS TEEN USA® Pageants are a Donald J. Trump and NBC Universal joint venture. Utilizing its nationwide grass roots infrastructure, the Miss Universe Organization is committed to increasing HIV/AIDS awareness and increasing awareness of breast and ovarian cancers. By forging relationships with organizations committed to research and education such as the Latino Commission on AIDS, Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Gilda's Club, the women who champion these causes during their reign are armed to impact women today. The titleholders of the Miss Universe Organization personify the combination of beauty and intelligence that defines the 21st Century.

Miss Universe Organization L.P., LLLP is a Donald J. Trump and NBC Universal joint venture.

Click on the past titleholders link and just look where they are now!