Official regions (3)
Costa Oriental del Lago (East lake coast (Maracaibo Lake))
Distrito Capital (Capital District)
Dependencias Federales ("Federal Dependencies" Venezuelan islands)
Peninsula Goajira (Venezuelan part of the Goajira peninsula)
Costa Oriental and Peninsula Goajira are regions of Zulia state and are titles handed out at the Miss Zulia preliminary. As of 2003 Costa Oriental has its own preliminary.
Together, these 26 regions form the "base" of the Miss Venezuela contest. However, at times other regions and territories have been represented. If there are 27 sashes, the 27th candidate is Miss Dependencias Federales (representing the Venezuelan islands). If there are 28 sashes, either Canaima (a national park in Bolivar state) or Peninsula de Paraguaná (a region of Falcon state) is represented. In 2003, additional titles of Península de Araya (a region of Sucre state) and Roraima (a national park in Bolivar state) were created to bring the pageant to its highest ever number of contestants: 32. Surprisingly, in 2008 Península de Araya was used again, and there was no Miss Península Goajira or Miss Costa Oriental that year. In the mid-1990s, the districts of Municipio Libertador and Municipio San Francisco were also represented, the last one only in 1997 and 1998. Also, only in 2003, Guayana Esequiba (Part of Guyana that historically Venezuela claims of its own) was represented. Vargas state, the most recent modification in Venezuela's map (1999) was always present in the pageant, but with other names: Departamento Vargas (until 1986) Municipio Vargas (1987 to 1997) Territorio Federal Vargas(1998) and Vargas State since 1999.
Regional rankings
Dayana Mendoza - Miss Universe 2008
State/Region
Titles
Years
Guárico
8
1963, 1966, 1976*, 1978, 1982, 1985, 2004, 2006
Capital District
7
1956, 1957 and 1960**, 1961***, 1965, 1968, 2001
Miranda
5
1955, 1964, 1981, 1988, 1999
Nueva Esparta
4
1972, 1975, 1976*, 1987
Carabobo
1953, 1970, 1973, 1996
Vargas
1967, 1969****, 1977, 1979*****
Aragua
3
1969****, 1992, 2002
Lara
1980, 1989, 2003
Trujillo
2
1986, 2008
Amazonas
1991, 2007
Sucre
1958, 2005
Apure
1993, 2000
Bolívar
1952, 1990
Zulia
1974, 1984
Delta Amacuro
1
1998
Táchira
1997
Yaracuy
1995
Costa Oriental
1994
Portuguesa
1983
Monagas
1971
Anzoátegui
1962
*Resigned after 36 hours; Miss Nueva Esparta declared new winner
**Won as Miss Federal District
***Won as Miss Caracas
****Resigned; Miss Department of Vargas declared new winner
*****All titles won as Miss Department of Vargas
The rest of Venezuela's major international titleholders represented the following states or department during their Miss Venezuela competition (indicates year of international victory): Miss Universe: Vargas Department (1979), Miranda (1981), Trujillo (1986), Yaracuy (1996) and Amazonas (2008); Miss World: Miranda (1955; 1984), Aragua (1981), Zulia (1991) and Nueva Esparta (1995); and Miss International: Monagas (1985), Miranda (1997), Costa Oriental (2000), Carabobo (2003) and Barinas (2006). Miss Earth 2005, Alexandra Braun Waldeck competed in Miss Venezuela 2005 as Miss Nueva Esparta but was sent to the Miss Earth pageant by Sambil Organization (the owners of Miss Earth Venezuela franchise) not by the Miss Venezuela organization.
Training
Once a candidate is shortlisted for the pageant, she begins an intensive training program which can last for six months. She receives coaching in speech, physical fitness, make-up, modelling, and all the other skills required for the competition. Plastic surgery and cosmetic dentistry is optional and some delegates use padding. As the Miss Venezuela broadcast lasts up to four hours long, with countless musical numbers and dances, rehearsals require weeks of preparation. Contestants also participate in official photoshoots (lately done by Ivan Dumont, after several years by Daniel Alonso) and also fittings by fashion designers. The evening gowns worn by candidates are a major source of politicking by Venezuela's domestic fashion houses, with top designers such as Mayela Camacho, Ángel Sanchez, Durant & Diego, and Jose Maria Almeida selecting candidates that they will dress for the final night, while other, newer designers compete to present designs for the pageant.[citation needed] As a general rule the evening gowns are always custom-designed for each of the candidates on the final night, and always by a Venezuelan designer. By tradition, Nidal Nouaihed dresses the representatives of his home state of Zulia (Miss Costa Oriental, Miss Peninsula Goajira, Miss Zulia); Ángel Sanchez designs the gown for Miss Trujillo; Jose Maria Almeida designs the dress for Miss Merida and the national costume for Miss Venezuela to Miss Universe. Only in 1999, 26 different designers took part of the evening gown competition, one candidate for each one. Also, in 2006, for the first time ever, the designers appeared on stage with the delegates, showing their fabulous creations. For the first time, in 2008, a "best evening gown" prize was given to a designer; the winner was Gionni Stracia for Miss Monagas's dress. He also made the gownfor Dayana Mendoza in the Miss Universe finals.
The winners chosen to represent Venezuela in the major pageants undergo continuous preparation before they compete internationally. These efforts are funded by corporate sponsors like Pepsi Cola, Palmolive, Colgate, Ebel and Lux who were attracted to the pageant by its high ratings.
Participation in international pageants
Between 1983 and 2003, Miss Venezuela placed into the Miss Universe semifinals each consecutive year, and placed in the top six or higher every year from 1991 to 2003. This streak was ended in 2004 when Ana Karina Áñez was not chosen as a semi-finalist at Miss Universe 2004. Venezuela has also twice held the Miss Universe and Miss World titles simultaneously: in 1981-1982 with Irene Saez (Miss Universe) and Pilin Leon (Miss World), and again in 1995-1996 with Alicia Machado (Miss Universe) and Jacqueline Aguilera (Miss World). It is said that Osmel Sousa will retire from his two decades of directing the pageant after seeing a Venezuelan crown another Venezuelan as Miss Universe, in a pageant where no country has ever won on consecutive years.
However, India has achieved the same record as Venezuela. In 1994, Miss India winners Sushmita Sen (miss Universe) and Aishwarya Rai (Miss World) won both contests; and in 2000, Lara Dutta won Miss Universe, Priyanka Chopra won Miss World and Dia Mirza won Miss Asia Pacific.[citation needed] In total, Venezuela has won over seventy international crowns under the guidance of the pageant, and the country's representatives have won at least one international title each year.
Success in other fields
Competing in the pageant can get a contestant noticed and launched on a successful television or print career. At least a dozen well sought models come out of the pageant. Virtually all of Venezuela's female top models and television personalities are alumni of the pageant, including Maite Delgado (who competed in 1986 against future Miss Universe Bárbara Palacios, Alexandra Braun (Miss Earth 2005) and Dominika van Santen (Top Model of the World 2005).[citation needed] In fact, only Gaby Espino and several other entertainment figures stand out as never having competed in the pageant. Many of today's top young models, such as Onelises Brochero and Wendy Medina, have repeatedly been rejected by Miss Venezuela; on the other hand, Goizeder Azua and Desiree Pallota, who have variously been considered the top domestic supermodels in the country, joined the pageant after establishing their careers.
Nowadays, familiar faces on Spanish TV networks around the world include Catherine Fulop, Carolina Perpetuo, Norkys Batista, Daniela Kosán, Viviana Gibelli, Marjorie de Sousa, Chiquinquirá Delgado and Natalia Streignard. Two of the Latin world's most famous personalities, supermodel Patricia Velásquez and singer/actress Maria Conchita Alonso, also participated, in 1989 and 1975, respectively. Miss Universe 1981, Irene Saez, is perhaps most famous as the beauty queen who became mayor of part of metropolitan Caracas, governor, and then a presidential candidate in 1998.
Miss Venezuela and other countries
Some delegates in the pageant have been able to use their training to achieve success in other national pageants. Natascha Börger became the first Venezuelan to switch countries, when she won the Miss Deutschland title in 2002 after placing 14th at Miss Venezuela 2000. She went on to place sixth at Miss Universe 2002 behind Miss Venezuela Cynthia Lander. In 2006, Francys Sudnicka, who placed in the top 10 representing Trujillo in Miss Venezuela 2003, won the Miss Poland Universe title. She represented Poland at Miss Universe 2006.
Three Venezuelans who have won the Miss Italia nel Mondo (Miss Italy in the World) pageant placed in the final five of Miss Venezuela: Barbara Clara (Miss Amazonas 2004), Valentina Patruno (Miss Miranda 2003) and Silvana Santaella (Miss Península de Paraguaná 2003). Patruno, though born Venezuelan, represented the United States.
Other countries such as Colombia, Philippines, and Brazil have sent their titleholders to be trained by Osmel Souza and the Venezuela pageant organization. In 2003, Amelia Vega of the Dominican Republic received training from them before going on to win the Miss Universe pageant; Mariangel Ruiz, Miss Venezuela 2002 placed second behind her. The result was a ban from Venevision executives on the training of any foreign contestants.[citation needed] Nevertheless, designers of the Miss Venezuela pageant have provided support to other countries, including the new Miss Latvia Universe pageant which is run by Venezuelans (Latvia's first entry in the pageant was a top 10 finalist).
In recent years the pageant organization has begun to "import" expatriates who have been working as international models. Miami has produced Valentina Patruno (Miss World Venezuela 2003), Andrea Gomez (Miss International Venezuela 2004), Monica Spear (Miss Venezuela 2004), Ileana Jimenez (Miss Portuguesa 2005), and Alessandra Villegas (Miss Península de Paraguaná 2008).
Further notes of interest
Between 2000 and 2002, the Miss Venezuela pageant was split into two contests: the Miss World Venezuela pageant, to elect the representative to Miss World, from which a reduced group of contestants would go on to compete in Miss Venezuela to go to the Miss Universe contest. In 2002, the organization merged the Miss World Venezuela contest with the Gala de Belleza, making the final "state cut" before the election of the Miss World representative. The two pageants were rejoined in 2003.
The most coveted symbol of the pageant, its crown, is a specially designed masterpiece by engineer George Wittels. It is changed about every five years, and is currently a heavy piece made out of white gold, platinum, silver, Austrian crystals and pearls. Since 2000 Miss World Venezuela carries a crown inlaid with turquoise. Winners retain their sash but are not allowed to keep the costly crowns which are passed from year to year and held in the headquarters at La Quinta Miss Venezuela.
The great pride the organization carries in its winners is never in dispute, although there remains, according to popular legend, regret for only one "stolen" crown: Carolina Izsak, Miss Venezuela 1991, considered by some the greatest winner produced. She was considered all but assured the Miss Universe 1992 crown when a mediocre interview score dropped her out of the final three. Interestingly, Michelle McLean of Namibia won the title that year, but was only a finalist several months before at Miss World 1991 which was won by Ninibeth Leal, who in turn lost the Miss Venezuela 1991 title to Carolina.
The thousands of Venezuelan pageants fans agree that the country has had a lot of "stolen crowns" lately in the Miss Universe; such as Milka Chulina (1993), Minorka Mercado (1994), Marena Bencomo (1997), Veruska Ramirez (1998), and Ly Jonaitis (2007).
Order of succession
There has been considerable controversy in a number of major national pageants as to how to direct their contestants to Miss Universe, Miss World, and the other international contests. The reason for this issue is the dispute between the international pageants, who generally desire that the winner of a national contest be sent. Although many nations such as Italy and Germany have completely separate pageants for Miss Universe and Miss World, in the case of Miss Venezuela the national pageant organization must field candidates to almost all of the major world contests.
As of 2003, when the current system was put into place, the winners of the Miss Venezuela title (who goes to Miss Universe) and Miss World Venezuela are equal in rank. Nevertheless, the representative to Miss Universe is still announced last, and she is still considered the holder of the one single Miss Venezuela title. Nowadays, the final five finalists are announced during the telecast, followed by the elimination of the second and first runner-ups, then Miss Venezuela to Miss International, Miss Venezuela to Miss World, and Miss Venezuela to Miss Universe.
While this system is similar to that of Mexico and India, in Mexico the first runner-up is known as the "substitute" and in the order of succession automatically fills into any title above her that is emptied. For example, if "Nuestra Belleza Mexico Mundo" (Miss Mexico to Miss World) is unable to fulfill her duties, the first runner-up assumes her title. While the Miss Universe representative is similarly considered the "greater of the two equals", if her position is vacated, the first runner-up ascends to her crown, instead of Miss Mexico-World becoming Miss Mexico-Universe and the first runner-up going to Miss World. In India, however, the succession does follow the other option: the top three titles go Earth->World->Universe in rising order of importance (although they are also emphasized as "equals") and when Miss India World was dethroned in 2004, Miss India Earth replaced her, and the first runner-up was appointed to go to Miss Earth.
Mariangel Ruiz, Miss Venezuela 2002 and Miss Universe 2003, 1st runner up
In Venezuela, neither policy of succession is explicitly laid down. Osmel Sousa makes the final decisions as to who is appointed when a vacancy arises; i.e. in 2003, there were significant rumors that Mariangel Ruiz might be replaced by Amara Barroeta, the first runner-up, to Miss Universe (and not Goizeder Azua, who was Miss World Venezuela). In fact, in 2003, the Miss International Pageant was concurrent with Miss Venezuela,
meaning that it would be impossible to send a "fresh" contestant, and Osmel actually opted not to send Amara, who should have gone (as the first runner-up then was almost always automatically titled Miss Venezuela International) and instead replaced her with Goizeder Azua, who won Miss International 2003. Due to scheduling conflicts between Miss International and Miss Venezuela, a similar situation occurred in 2002 when Cynthia Lander, Miss Venezuela (Universe), gave up her crown to the next Miss Venezuela and immediately boarded a flight for Japan to participate in Miss International. The reasoning was that her first runner-up had already participated the year before, and it would have been ridiculous to crown a Miss Venezuela (International) and immediately send her on a plane to her contest with no specific preparation whatsoever. Incidentally in 2006 the Miss World pageant shifted its pageant date from its usual November-December timeframe to September when the organization announced Poland as the competition venue. Due to the change in dates; it resulted to a timing conflict with the Miss Venezuela pageant. The Miss Venezuela organization decided to hold a snap pageant called "Miss Venezuela Mundo" to elect a representative for Miss World 2006. The said competition was composed of former Miss Venezuela contestants from previous editions. At the end of the night Federica Guzman who represented the state of Miranda in 2001 was the winner. Thus, both Miss Venezuela World and Miss Venezuela International now competes in the year after her coronation.
Ironically, the only time in the "modern" pageant that the famous "if the winner should not fulfill her duties, the first runner-up will take over" statement was made for Miss Venezuela was in 1999. The decision was made to send whoever won to Miss World first, and then to Miss Universe if she did not win. This policy was adopted after the consecutive eliminations of Cristina Dieckmann and Veronica Schneider in 1997 and 1998, both of whom were considered amongst the strongest Miss World Venezuelas in history and whose eliminations were seen by the organization as a signal that it needed to send its winner to Miss World. Therefore, in 1999, there were no Miss World Venezuela or Miss Venezuela International titles, only an official Miss Venezuela, who was Martina Thorogood. Her first runner-up, Norkys Batista, was told that she would become Miss Venezuela to Miss Universe only if Martina won the Miss World crown outright. Martina came in second at Miss World and she was expected continue on to Miss Universe 2000 the next year. However, due to a number of major controversies, she was barred from Miss Universe 2000 on the grounds that as the first runner-up to Miss World, she was contracted to the organization and would have to succeed to that title if Yukta Mookhey, the winner that year, did not complete her reign. Osmel also declared that Miss Universe demanded a winner from Venezuela, thereby barring Norkys Batista from succeeding to the title. The only option for Norkys to go was for Martina to renounce the Miss Venezuela title, which neither she nor the organization was willing to do. Therefore, a new emergency (and temporary pageant) was held, called Miss Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, which was conducted among ten former contestants (some semifinalists and other no finalists) from the previous five years. The winner, Claudia Moreno, had placed as seventh in the semifinals behind Martina and Norkys in Miss Venezuela 1999, and she ended up performing excellently and becoming first runner-up to Miss Universe 2000. In years to come, 2002's first runner-up Amara Barroeta would join Norkys Batista as one of several runners-ups to be "denied" the chance to compete at a "big three" pageant.
In the USA and many other countries, an occasion when the order of succession comes into play is when the reigning titleholder wins her international contest, e.g. in 1997 when Brook Mahealani Lee became Miss Universe and her first runner-up Brandi Sherwood became Miss USA. Interestingly, however, Venezuela does not have this official provision, even when the two "equal" winners both win Miss Universe and Miss World. In 1981, Miriam Quintana was considered somewhat unofficially as the serving Miss Venezuela, because both Irene Saez and Pilin Leon had won their respective pageants. However, in 1995-1996, when Alicia Machado took the Miss Universe title and Jacqueline Aguilera the Miss World crown, no new "Miss Venezuela" was appointed to hold the crown while they reigned internationally, though some newspapers said that Carla Steinkopf, Miss International Venezuela 1995, would give the crown to the 1996 winner. In general, all times when Venezuela has won the Miss Universe Pageant, is Miss Universe herself who gives the crown to the new Miss Venezuela, not Miss World Venezuela or another finalist.
"Miss Venezuela" Winners
The following women have been crowned Miss Venezuela:[1]
Year
Miss Venezuela
State
Venue
1952
Sofía Silva Inserry
Bolívar
Valle Arriba Golf Club, Caracas
1953-54
Gisela Bolaños Scarton
Carabobo
Valle Arriba Golf Club, Caracas
1955
Carmen Susana Duijm Zubillaga
Miranda
Hotel Tamanaco, Caracas
1956
Blanca "Blanquita" Heredia Osío
Distrito Federal
Hotel Tamanaco, Caracas
1957
Consuelo Leticia Nouel Gómez
Distrito Federal
Hotel Tamanaco, Caracas
1958-59
Ida Margarita Pieri
Sucre
Hotel Ávila, Caracas
1960
Gladys "Laly" Ascanio Arredondo
Distrito Federal
Hotel Tamanaco, Caracas
1961
Anasaria "Ana" Griselda Vegas Albornoz
Caracas
Hotel Tamanaco, Caracas
1962
Olga "Olguita" Antonetti Núñez
Anzoátegui
Teatro París, Caracas
1963
Irene Amelia Morales Machado
Guárico
Teatro París, Caracas
1964
Mercedes Revenga De La Rosa
Miranda
Teatro París, Caracas
1965
María Auxiliadora De Las Casas Mc. Gill
Distrito Federal
Teatro del Círculo Militar, Caracas
1966
Magaly Beatriz Castro Egui
Guárico
Teatro del Este, Caracas
1967
Mariela Pérez Branger
Departamento Vargas
Teatro de la Escuela Militar, Caracas
1968
Peggy Kopp Arenas
Distrito Federal
Teatro Altamira, Caracas
1969
María José de las Mercedes Yellici Sánchez (resigned)
Aragua
Teatro París, Caracas
Marzia Rita Gisela Piazza Suprani
Departamento Vargas
1970
Bella Mercedes La Rosa De La Rosa
Carabobo
Teatro Nacional de Venezuela, Caracas
1971
Jeanette Amelia de la Coromoto Donzella Sánchez
Monagas
Teatro Nacional de Venezuela, Caracas
1972
María Antonieta Cámpoli Prisco
Nueva Esparta
Teatro París, Caracas
1973
Ana Paola Desirée Facchinei Rolando
Carabobo
Club de Sub-Oficiales, Caracas
1974
Neyla Chiquinquirá Moronta Sangronis
Zulia
Club de Sub-Oficiales, Caracas
1975
Maritza Pineda Montoya
Nueva Esparta
Poliedro de Caracas, Caracas
1976
Elluz Coromoto Peraza González (resigned)
Guárico
Teatro París, Caracas
Judith Josefina Castillo Uribe
Nueva Esparta
1977
Cristal del Mar Montañez Arocha
Departamento Vargas
Teatro París, Caracas
1978
Marisol Alfonzo Marcano
Guárico
Teatro del Club de Sub-Oficiales, Caracas
1979
Maritza Sayalero Fernández
Departamento Vargas
Hotel Caracas Hilton, Caracas
1980
María Xavier "Maye" Brandt Angulo
Lara
Hotel Macuto Sheraton, Caraballeda, Vargas
1981
Irene Lailín Sáez Conde
Miranda
Hotel Macuto Sheraton, Caraballeda, Vargas
1982
Ana Teresa Oropeza Villavicencio
Guárico
Hotel Macuto Sheraton, Caraballeda, Vargas
1983
Paola Laura Ruggeri Ghigo
Portuguesa
Hotel Macuto Sheraton, Caraballeda, Vargas
1984
Carmen María Montiel Ávila
Zulia
Hotel Macuto Sheraton, Caraballeda, Vargas
1985
Silvia Cristina Martínez Stapulionis
Guárico
Hotel Macuto Sheraton, Caraballeda, Vargas
1986
Bárbara Palacios Teyde
Trujillo
Teatro Municipal de Caracas, Caracas
1987
Inés María Calero Rodríguez
Nueva Esparta
Teatro Municipal de Caracas, Caracas
1988
Yajaira Cristina Vera Roldán
Miranda
Teatro Municipal de Caracas, Caracas
1989
Eva Lisa Larsdotter Ljung
Lara
Poliedro de Caracas, Caracas
1990
Andreína Katarina Goetz Blohm
Bolívar
Poliedro de Caracas, Caracas
1991
Carolina Eva Izsak Kemenify
Amazonas
Poliedro de Caracas, Caracas
1992
Milka Yelisava Chulina Urbanich
Aragua
Poliedro de Caracas, Caracas
1993
Minorka Marisela Mercado Carrero
Apure
Teresa Carreño Cultural Complex, Caracas
1994
Denyse del Carmen Floreano Camargo
Costa Oriental
Teresa Carreño Cultural Complex, Caracas
1995
Yoseph Alicia Machado Fajardo
Yaracuy
Poliedro de Caracas, Caracas
1996
Marena Josefina Bencomo Giménez
Carabobo
Poliedro de Caracas, Caracas
1997
Veruska Tatiana Ramírez
Táchira
Poliedro de Caracas, Caracas
1998
Lucbel Carolina Indriago Pinto
Delta Amacuro
Poliedro de Caracas, Caracas
1999
Martina Thorogood Heemsen
Miranda
Poliedro de Caracas, Caracas
2000
Eva Mónica Anna Ekvall Johnson
Apure
Poliedro de Caracas, Caracas
2001
Cynthia Cristina Lander Zamora
Distrito Capital
Poliedro de Caracas, Caracas
2002
Mariángel Ruiz Torrealba
Aragua
Poliedro de Caracas, Caracas
2003
Ana Karina Áñez Delgado
Lara
Estudio 1, Venevisión, Caracas
2004
Mónica Spear Mootz
Guárico
Poliedro de Caracas, Caracas
2005
Jictzad Nakarhyt Viña Carreño
Sucre
Poliedro de Caracas, Caracas
2006
Lidymar Carolina "Ly" Jonaitis Escalona
Guárico
Poliedro de Caracas, Caracas
2007
Dayana Sabrina Mendoza Moncada
Amazonas
Poliedro de Caracas, Caracas
2008
Stefanía Fernández Krupij
Trujillo
Poliedro de Caracas, Caracas
Venezuelan representatives to International pageants
The following women have represented Venezuela in international pageants:
Representatives to Miss Universe
Year
Representatives to Miss Universe
State
Ranking
1952
Sofía Silva
Bolivar
1953
Gisela Bolaños
Carabobo
1954
-
1955
Susana Duijm
Miranda
Semi-Finalist
1956
Blanca Heredia
Distrito Federal
Semi-Finalist
1957
Consuelo Nouel
Distrito Federal
1958
Ida Margarita Pieri
Sucre
1959
-
1960
Mary Quiroz
Yaracuy
1961
Ana Griselda Vegas
Caracas
1962
Virginia Bailey
Nueva Esparta
1963
Irene Morales
Guarico
1964
Mercedes Revenga
Miranda
Semi-Finalist
1965
María de las Casas
Distrito Federal
1966
Magaly Castro Egui
Guarico
1967
Mariela Pérez Branger
Departamento Vargas
1st runner-up
1968
Peggy Kopp
Distrito Federal
3rd runner-up
1969
María José Yéllici
Aragua
1970
Bella La Rosa
Carabobo
Semi-Finalist
1971
Jeannette Donzella
Monagas
1972
María Antonieta Cámpoli
Nueva Esparta
2nd runner-up
1973
Desireé Rolando
Carabobo
1974
Neyla Moronta
Zulia
1975
Maritza Pineda
Nueva Esparta
1976
Judith Castillo*
Nueva Esparta
1st runner-up
1977
Cristal Montañez
Departamento Vargas
Semi-Finalist
1978
Marisol Alfonzo
Guarico
1979
Maritza Sayalero
Departamento Vargas
MISS UNIVERSE 1979
1980
Maye Brandt†
Lara
1981
Irene Sáez
Miranda
MISS UNIVERSE 1981
1982
Ana Teresa Oropeza
Guarico
1983
Paola Ruggeri
Portuguesa
Semi-Finalist
1984
Carmen María Montiel
Zulia
2nd runner-up
1985
Silvia Martínez
Guarico
3rd runner-up
1986
Bárbara Palacios
Trujillo
MISS UNIVERSE 1986
1987
Inés María Calero
Nueva Esparta
3rd runner-up
1988
Yajaira Vera
Miranda
Semi-Finalist
1989
Eva Lisa Ljung
Lara
Semi-Finalist
1990
Andreína Goetz
Bolivar
Semi-Finalist
1991
Jackeline Rodríguez
Miranda
Finalist (Top 6)
1992
Carolina Izsak
Amazonas
Finalist (Top 6)
1993
Milka Chulina
Aragua
2nd runner-up
1994
Minorka Mercado
Apure
2nd runner-up
1995
Denyse Floreano
Costa Oriental
Finalist (Top 6)
1996
Alicia Machado
Yaracuy
MISS UNIVERSE 1996
1997
Marena Bencomo
Carabobo
1st runner-up
1998
Veruska Ramirez
Tachira
1st runner-up
1999
Carolina Indriago
Delta Amacuro
Finalist (Top 5)
2000
Claudia Moreno**
Distrito Federal
1st runner-up
2001
Eva Ekvall
Apure
3rd runner-up
2002
Cynthia Lander
Distrito Capital
4th runner-up
2003
Mariangel Ruiz
Aragua
1st runner-up
2004
Ana Karina Áñez
Lara
2005
Mónica Spear
Guarico
4th runner-up
2006
Jictzad Viña
Sucre
2007
Ly Jonaitis
Guarico
2nd runner-up
2008
Dayana Mendoza
Amazonas
MISS UNIVERSE 2008
2009
Stefanía Fernández
Trujillo
TBA
Representatives to Miss World
Year
Representatives to Miss World
State
Ranking
1955
Carmen Susana Duijm Zubillaga
Miranda
MISS WORLD 1955
1956
Celsa Drucila Pieri
Sucre
1957
Consuelo Leticia Nouel Gómez
Distrito Federal
1958
Ida Margarita Pieri
Sucre
1959
-
1960
Miriam Maritza Estévez Acevedo
Caracas
WITHDREW
1961
Bexi Cecilia Romero Tosta
Aragua
1962
Betzabé Franco Blanco
Aragua
Semi-Finalist
1963
Milagros Galíndez Castillo
Miranda
1964
Mercedes Hernández Nieves
Portuguesa
Semi-Finalist
1965
Nancy Elizabeth González Aceituno
Anzoategui
1966
Jeannette Kopp Arenas
Distrito Federal
1967
Irene Margarita Böttger González
Bolivar
1968
María Dolores (Cherry) Núñez Rodríguez
Miranda
1969
Marzia Rita Gisela Piazza Suprani
Nueva Esparta
4th RUNNER-UP
1970
Tomasa Nina (Tomasita) de las Casas Mata
Miranda
1971
Ana María Padrón Ibarrondo
Carabobo
Semi-Finalist
1972
Amalia del Carmen Heller Gómez
Sucre
1973
Edicta de los Angeles García Oporto
Zulia
1974
Alicia Rivas Serrano
Departamento Vargas
1975
María de la Concepción (María Conchita) Alonso Bustillos
Distrito Federal
Finalist
1976
Maria Genoveva Rivero Giménez
Lara
Semi-Finalist
1977
Jacqueline van den Branden
Distrito Federal
1978
Katy Patricia Tóffoli Andrade
Falcon
Semi-Finalist
1979
Tatiana Capote Abdel
Barinas
DISQUALIFIED
1980
Hilda Astrid Abrahamz Navarro
Departamento Vargas
Semi-Finalist
1981
Carmen Josefina (Pilín) León Crespo
Aragua
MISS WORLD 1981
1982
Michelle Marie Shoda Belloso
Falcon
1983
Carolina del Valle Cerruti Duijm
Apure
1984
Astrid Carolina Herrera Irazábal
Miranda
MISS WORLD 1984
1985
Ruddy Rosario Rodríguez de Lucía
Anzoategui
Finalist
1986
Maria Begoña Juaristi Mateo
Zulia
Finalist
1987
Albany Josefina Lozada Jiménez
Portuguesa
1st RUNNER-UP
1988
Emma Irmgard Marina Rabbe Ramírez
Distrito Federal
Finalist
1989
Fabiola Chiara Candosín Marchetti
Distrito Federal
1990
Sharon Raquel Luengo González
Costa Oriental
2nd RUNNER-UP
1991
Ninibeth Beatriz Leal Jiménez
Zulia
MISS WORLD 1991
1992
Francis del Valle Gago Aponte
Bolivar
2nd RUNNER-UP
1993
Mónica Lei Scaccia
Distrito Federal
Finalist
1994
Irene Esther Ferreira Izquierdo
Miranda
2nd RUNNER-UP
1995
Jacqueline María Aguilera Marcano
Nueva Esparta
MISS WORLD 1995
1996
Anna Cepinska Miszczak
Nueva Esparta
Finalist
1997
Christina Dieckmann Jiménez
Nueva Esparta
1998
Verónica Schneider Rodríguez
Monagas
1999
Martina Thorogood Heemsen
Miranda
1st RUNNER-UP
2000
Vanessa Maria Cárdenas Bravo
Zulia
2001
Andreina del Carmen Prieto Rincón
Zulia
2002
Goizeder Victoria Azua Barrios
Carabobo
TOP 10 Finalist
2003
Valentina Patruno Macero
Miranda
Semi-Finalist
2004
Andrea Maria Milroy Díaz
Trujillo
2005
Berliz Susan Carrizo Escandela
Costa Oriental
2006
Alexandra Federica Guzmán Diamante****
Miranda
Semi-Finalist
2007
Claudia Paola Suárez Fernández
Merida
Semi-Finalist
2008
Hannelly Zulami Quintero Ledezma
Cojedes
Semi-Finalist
2009
María Milagros Véliz Pinto
Anzoátegui
TBA
Representatives to Miss International
Year
Representatives to Miss International
State
Ranking
1960
Gladys (Laly) Ascanio Arredondo
Distrito Federal
Semi-finalist
1961
Gloria Lilué Chaljub
Distrito Federal
1962
Olga Antonetti Nuñez†
Anzoategui
Semi-finalist
1963
Norah Luisa Duarte Rojas
Carabobo
1964
Lisla Vilia Silva Negrón
Zulia
Semi-finalist
1965
Thamara Josefina Leal
Zulia
1966
No Pageant
1967
Cecilia Picón-Febres
Merida
1968
Jovann Navas Ravelo
Aragua
1969
Cristina Mercedes Keusch Pérez
Miranda
Semi-finalist
1970
Marzia Rita Gisela Piazza Suprani
Nueva Esparta
1971
Sonia Zaya Ledezma Corvo
Monagas
1972
Marilyn Plessmann Martínez
Guarico
Semi-finalist
1973
Hilda Elvira Carrero García†
Tachira
Semi-finalist
1974
Marisela Carderera Marturet
Distrito Federal
1975
María del Carmen Yamel Díaz Rodríguez
Carabobo
1976
Betzabeth Ayala
Miranda
Semi-finalist
1977
Betty Paredes
Lara
1978
Dora Maria (Doris) Fueyo Moreno
Anzoategui
1979
Nilza Josefina Moronta Sangronis
Zulia
1980
Graciela Lucía Rosanna La Rosa Guarneri
Amazonas
Semi-finalist
1981
Miriam Quintana
Distrito Federal
Semi-finalist
1982
Amaury Martínez Macero
Amazonas
1983
Donnatella (Donna) Bottone Tiranti
Miranda
1984
Miriam Leyderman Eppel
Nueva Esparta
1st RUNNER-UP
1985
Alejandrina "Nina" Sicilia Hernandez
Monagas
MISS INTERNATIONAL 1985
1986
Nancy Josefina Gallardo Quiñones
Portuguesa
Semi-finalist
1987
Begoña Victoria (Vicky) García Varas
Departamento Libertador
Semi-finalist
1988
María Eugenia Duarte Lugo
Peninsula Goajira
1989
Beatriz Carolina Omaña Trujillo
Nueva Esparta
2nd RUNNER-UP
1990
Vanessa Cristina Holler Noel
Portuguesa
Semi-finalist
1991
Niurka Auristela Acevedo
Monagas
1992
Maria Eugenia Rodríguez Noguera
Portuguesa
Semi-finalist
1993
Rina Faviola Mónica Spitale Baiamonte
Yaracuy
Semi-finalist
1994
Milka Yelisava Chulina Urbanich
Aragua
Semi-finalist
1995
Ana Maria Amorer Guerrero
Apure
1st RUNNER-UP
1996
Carla Andreína Steinkopf Struve
Costa Oriental
Semi-finalist
1997
Consuelo Adler Hernández
Miranda
MISS INTERNATIONAL 1997
1998
Daniela Kosán Montcourt
Aragua
1st RUNNER-UP
1999
Andreína Mercedes Llamozas González
Vargas
Semi-finalist
2000
Vivian Ines Urdaneta Rincón
Costa Oriental
MISS INTERNATIONAL 2000
2001
Aura Consuelo Zambrano Alejos
Tachira
1st RUNNER-UP
2002
Cynthia Cristina Lander Zamora
Distrito Capital
2003
Goizeder Victoria Azua Barrios
Carabobo
MISS INTERNATIONAL 2003
2004
Eleidy María Aparicio Serrano
Costa Oriental
2005
María Andrea Gómez Vásquez
Distrito Capital
Semi-finalist
2006
Daniela Anette di Giacomo di Giovanni
Barinas
MISS INTERNATIONAL 2006
2007
Vanessa Jacqueline Gómez Peretti
Sucre
Semi-finalist
2008
Dayana Carolina Colmenares Bocchieri
Carabobo
Semi-finalist
2009
Laksmi Rodríguez de la Sierra
Monagas
TBA
Costa Oriental del Lago (East lake coast (Maracaibo Lake))
Distrito Capital (Capital District)
Dependencias Federales ("Federal Dependencies" Venezuelan islands)
Peninsula Goajira (Venezuelan part of the Goajira peninsula)
Costa Oriental and Peninsula Goajira are regions of Zulia state and are titles handed out at the Miss Zulia preliminary. As of 2003 Costa Oriental has its own preliminary.
Together, these 26 regions form the "base" of the Miss Venezuela contest. However, at times other regions and territories have been represented. If there are 27 sashes, the 27th candidate is Miss Dependencias Federales (representing the Venezuelan islands). If there are 28 sashes, either Canaima (a national park in Bolivar state) or Peninsula de Paraguaná (a region of Falcon state) is represented. In 2003, additional titles of Península de Araya (a region of Sucre state) and Roraima (a national park in Bolivar state) were created to bring the pageant to its highest ever number of contestants: 32. Surprisingly, in 2008 Península de Araya was used again, and there was no Miss Península Goajira or Miss Costa Oriental that year. In the mid-1990s, the districts of Municipio Libertador and Municipio San Francisco were also represented, the last one only in 1997 and 1998. Also, only in 2003, Guayana Esequiba (Part of Guyana that historically Venezuela claims of its own) was represented. Vargas state, the most recent modification in Venezuela's map (1999) was always present in the pageant, but with other names: Departamento Vargas (until 1986) Municipio Vargas (1987 to 1997) Territorio Federal Vargas(1998) and Vargas State since 1999.
Regional rankings
Dayana Mendoza - Miss Universe 2008
State/Region
Titles
Years
Guárico
8
1963, 1966, 1976*, 1978, 1982, 1985, 2004, 2006
Capital District
7
1956, 1957 and 1960**, 1961***, 1965, 1968, 2001
Miranda
5
1955, 1964, 1981, 1988, 1999
Nueva Esparta
4
1972, 1975, 1976*, 1987
Carabobo
1953, 1970, 1973, 1996
Vargas
1967, 1969****, 1977, 1979*****
Aragua
3
1969****, 1992, 2002
Lara
1980, 1989, 2003
Trujillo
2
1986, 2008
Amazonas
1991, 2007
Sucre
1958, 2005
Apure
1993, 2000
Bolívar
1952, 1990
Zulia
1974, 1984
Delta Amacuro
1
1998
Táchira
1997
Yaracuy
1995
Costa Oriental
1994
Portuguesa
1983
Monagas
1971
Anzoátegui
1962
*Resigned after 36 hours; Miss Nueva Esparta declared new winner
**Won as Miss Federal District
***Won as Miss Caracas
****Resigned; Miss Department of Vargas declared new winner
*****All titles won as Miss Department of Vargas
The rest of Venezuela's major international titleholders represented the following states or department during their Miss Venezuela competition (indicates year of international victory): Miss Universe: Vargas Department (1979), Miranda (1981), Trujillo (1986), Yaracuy (1996) and Amazonas (2008); Miss World: Miranda (1955; 1984), Aragua (1981), Zulia (1991) and Nueva Esparta (1995); and Miss International: Monagas (1985), Miranda (1997), Costa Oriental (2000), Carabobo (2003) and Barinas (2006). Miss Earth 2005, Alexandra Braun Waldeck competed in Miss Venezuela 2005 as Miss Nueva Esparta but was sent to the Miss Earth pageant by Sambil Organization (the owners of Miss Earth Venezuela franchise) not by the Miss Venezuela organization.
Training
Once a candidate is shortlisted for the pageant, she begins an intensive training program which can last for six months. She receives coaching in speech, physical fitness, make-up, modelling, and all the other skills required for the competition. Plastic surgery and cosmetic dentistry is optional and some delegates use padding. As the Miss Venezuela broadcast lasts up to four hours long, with countless musical numbers and dances, rehearsals require weeks of preparation. Contestants also participate in official photoshoots (lately done by Ivan Dumont, after several years by Daniel Alonso) and also fittings by fashion designers. The evening gowns worn by candidates are a major source of politicking by Venezuela's domestic fashion houses, with top designers such as Mayela Camacho, Ángel Sanchez, Durant & Diego, and Jose Maria Almeida selecting candidates that they will dress for the final night, while other, newer designers compete to present designs for the pageant.[citation needed] As a general rule the evening gowns are always custom-designed for each of the candidates on the final night, and always by a Venezuelan designer. By tradition, Nidal Nouaihed dresses the representatives of his home state of Zulia (Miss Costa Oriental, Miss Peninsula Goajira, Miss Zulia); Ángel Sanchez designs the gown for Miss Trujillo; Jose Maria Almeida designs the dress for Miss Merida and the national costume for Miss Venezuela to Miss Universe. Only in 1999, 26 different designers took part of the evening gown competition, one candidate for each one. Also, in 2006, for the first time ever, the designers appeared on stage with the delegates, showing their fabulous creations. For the first time, in 2008, a "best evening gown" prize was given to a designer; the winner was Gionni Stracia for Miss Monagas's dress. He also made the gownfor Dayana Mendoza in the Miss Universe finals.
The winners chosen to represent Venezuela in the major pageants undergo continuous preparation before they compete internationally. These efforts are funded by corporate sponsors like Pepsi Cola, Palmolive, Colgate, Ebel and Lux who were attracted to the pageant by its high ratings.
Participation in international pageants
Between 1983 and 2003, Miss Venezuela placed into the Miss Universe semifinals each consecutive year, and placed in the top six or higher every year from 1991 to 2003. This streak was ended in 2004 when Ana Karina Áñez was not chosen as a semi-finalist at Miss Universe 2004. Venezuela has also twice held the Miss Universe and Miss World titles simultaneously: in 1981-1982 with Irene Saez (Miss Universe) and Pilin Leon (Miss World), and again in 1995-1996 with Alicia Machado (Miss Universe) and Jacqueline Aguilera (Miss World). It is said that Osmel Sousa will retire from his two decades of directing the pageant after seeing a Venezuelan crown another Venezuelan as Miss Universe, in a pageant where no country has ever won on consecutive years.
However, India has achieved the same record as Venezuela. In 1994, Miss India winners Sushmita Sen (miss Universe) and Aishwarya Rai (Miss World) won both contests; and in 2000, Lara Dutta won Miss Universe, Priyanka Chopra won Miss World and Dia Mirza won Miss Asia Pacific.[citation needed] In total, Venezuela has won over seventy international crowns under the guidance of the pageant, and the country's representatives have won at least one international title each year.
Success in other fields
Competing in the pageant can get a contestant noticed and launched on a successful television or print career. At least a dozen well sought models come out of the pageant. Virtually all of Venezuela's female top models and television personalities are alumni of the pageant, including Maite Delgado (who competed in 1986 against future Miss Universe Bárbara Palacios, Alexandra Braun (Miss Earth 2005) and Dominika van Santen (Top Model of the World 2005).[citation needed] In fact, only Gaby Espino and several other entertainment figures stand out as never having competed in the pageant. Many of today's top young models, such as Onelises Brochero and Wendy Medina, have repeatedly been rejected by Miss Venezuela; on the other hand, Goizeder Azua and Desiree Pallota, who have variously been considered the top domestic supermodels in the country, joined the pageant after establishing their careers.
Nowadays, familiar faces on Spanish TV networks around the world include Catherine Fulop, Carolina Perpetuo, Norkys Batista, Daniela Kosán, Viviana Gibelli, Marjorie de Sousa, Chiquinquirá Delgado and Natalia Streignard. Two of the Latin world's most famous personalities, supermodel Patricia Velásquez and singer/actress Maria Conchita Alonso, also participated, in 1989 and 1975, respectively. Miss Universe 1981, Irene Saez, is perhaps most famous as the beauty queen who became mayor of part of metropolitan Caracas, governor, and then a presidential candidate in 1998.
Miss Venezuela and other countries
Some delegates in the pageant have been able to use their training to achieve success in other national pageants. Natascha Börger became the first Venezuelan to switch countries, when she won the Miss Deutschland title in 2002 after placing 14th at Miss Venezuela 2000. She went on to place sixth at Miss Universe 2002 behind Miss Venezuela Cynthia Lander. In 2006, Francys Sudnicka, who placed in the top 10 representing Trujillo in Miss Venezuela 2003, won the Miss Poland Universe title. She represented Poland at Miss Universe 2006.
Three Venezuelans who have won the Miss Italia nel Mondo (Miss Italy in the World) pageant placed in the final five of Miss Venezuela: Barbara Clara (Miss Amazonas 2004), Valentina Patruno (Miss Miranda 2003) and Silvana Santaella (Miss Península de Paraguaná 2003). Patruno, though born Venezuelan, represented the United States.
Other countries such as Colombia, Philippines, and Brazil have sent their titleholders to be trained by Osmel Souza and the Venezuela pageant organization. In 2003, Amelia Vega of the Dominican Republic received training from them before going on to win the Miss Universe pageant; Mariangel Ruiz, Miss Venezuela 2002 placed second behind her. The result was a ban from Venevision executives on the training of any foreign contestants.[citation needed] Nevertheless, designers of the Miss Venezuela pageant have provided support to other countries, including the new Miss Latvia Universe pageant which is run by Venezuelans (Latvia's first entry in the pageant was a top 10 finalist).
In recent years the pageant organization has begun to "import" expatriates who have been working as international models. Miami has produced Valentina Patruno (Miss World Venezuela 2003), Andrea Gomez (Miss International Venezuela 2004), Monica Spear (Miss Venezuela 2004), Ileana Jimenez (Miss Portuguesa 2005), and Alessandra Villegas (Miss Península de Paraguaná 2008).
Further notes of interest
Between 2000 and 2002, the Miss Venezuela pageant was split into two contests: the Miss World Venezuela pageant, to elect the representative to Miss World, from which a reduced group of contestants would go on to compete in Miss Venezuela to go to the Miss Universe contest. In 2002, the organization merged the Miss World Venezuela contest with the Gala de Belleza, making the final "state cut" before the election of the Miss World representative. The two pageants were rejoined in 2003.
The most coveted symbol of the pageant, its crown, is a specially designed masterpiece by engineer George Wittels. It is changed about every five years, and is currently a heavy piece made out of white gold, platinum, silver, Austrian crystals and pearls. Since 2000 Miss World Venezuela carries a crown inlaid with turquoise. Winners retain their sash but are not allowed to keep the costly crowns which are passed from year to year and held in the headquarters at La Quinta Miss Venezuela.
The great pride the organization carries in its winners is never in dispute, although there remains, according to popular legend, regret for only one "stolen" crown: Carolina Izsak, Miss Venezuela 1991, considered by some the greatest winner produced. She was considered all but assured the Miss Universe 1992 crown when a mediocre interview score dropped her out of the final three. Interestingly, Michelle McLean of Namibia won the title that year, but was only a finalist several months before at Miss World 1991 which was won by Ninibeth Leal, who in turn lost the Miss Venezuela 1991 title to Carolina.
The thousands of Venezuelan pageants fans agree that the country has had a lot of "stolen crowns" lately in the Miss Universe; such as Milka Chulina (1993), Minorka Mercado (1994), Marena Bencomo (1997), Veruska Ramirez (1998), and Ly Jonaitis (2007).
Order of succession
There has been considerable controversy in a number of major national pageants as to how to direct their contestants to Miss Universe, Miss World, and the other international contests. The reason for this issue is the dispute between the international pageants, who generally desire that the winner of a national contest be sent. Although many nations such as Italy and Germany have completely separate pageants for Miss Universe and Miss World, in the case of Miss Venezuela the national pageant organization must field candidates to almost all of the major world contests.
As of 2003, when the current system was put into place, the winners of the Miss Venezuela title (who goes to Miss Universe) and Miss World Venezuela are equal in rank. Nevertheless, the representative to Miss Universe is still announced last, and she is still considered the holder of the one single Miss Venezuela title. Nowadays, the final five finalists are announced during the telecast, followed by the elimination of the second and first runner-ups, then Miss Venezuela to Miss International, Miss Venezuela to Miss World, and Miss Venezuela to Miss Universe.
While this system is similar to that of Mexico and India, in Mexico the first runner-up is known as the "substitute" and in the order of succession automatically fills into any title above her that is emptied. For example, if "Nuestra Belleza Mexico Mundo" (Miss Mexico to Miss World) is unable to fulfill her duties, the first runner-up assumes her title. While the Miss Universe representative is similarly considered the "greater of the two equals", if her position is vacated, the first runner-up ascends to her crown, instead of Miss Mexico-World becoming Miss Mexico-Universe and the first runner-up going to Miss World. In India, however, the succession does follow the other option: the top three titles go Earth->World->Universe in rising order of importance (although they are also emphasized as "equals") and when Miss India World was dethroned in 2004, Miss India Earth replaced her, and the first runner-up was appointed to go to Miss Earth.
Mariangel Ruiz, Miss Venezuela 2002 and Miss Universe 2003, 1st runner up
In Venezuela, neither policy of succession is explicitly laid down. Osmel Sousa makes the final decisions as to who is appointed when a vacancy arises; i.e. in 2003, there were significant rumors that Mariangel Ruiz might be replaced by Amara Barroeta, the first runner-up, to Miss Universe (and not Goizeder Azua, who was Miss World Venezuela). In fact, in 2003, the Miss International Pageant was concurrent with Miss Venezuela,
meaning that it would be impossible to send a "fresh" contestant, and Osmel actually opted not to send Amara, who should have gone (as the first runner-up then was almost always automatically titled Miss Venezuela International) and instead replaced her with Goizeder Azua, who won Miss International 2003. Due to scheduling conflicts between Miss International and Miss Venezuela, a similar situation occurred in 2002 when Cynthia Lander, Miss Venezuela (Universe), gave up her crown to the next Miss Venezuela and immediately boarded a flight for Japan to participate in Miss International. The reasoning was that her first runner-up had already participated the year before, and it would have been ridiculous to crown a Miss Venezuela (International) and immediately send her on a plane to her contest with no specific preparation whatsoever. Incidentally in 2006 the Miss World pageant shifted its pageant date from its usual November-December timeframe to September when the organization announced Poland as the competition venue. Due to the change in dates; it resulted to a timing conflict with the Miss Venezuela pageant. The Miss Venezuela organization decided to hold a snap pageant called "Miss Venezuela Mundo" to elect a representative for Miss World 2006. The said competition was composed of former Miss Venezuela contestants from previous editions. At the end of the night Federica Guzman who represented the state of Miranda in 2001 was the winner. Thus, both Miss Venezuela World and Miss Venezuela International now competes in the year after her coronation.Ironically, the only time in the "modern" pageant that the famous "if the winner should not fulfill her duties, the first runner-up will take over" statement was made for Miss Venezuela was in 1999. The decision was made to send whoever won to Miss World first, and then to Miss Universe if she did not win. This policy was adopted after the consecutive eliminations of Cristina Dieckmann and Veronica Schneider in 1997 and 1998, both of whom were considered amongst the strongest Miss World Venezuelas in history and whose eliminations were seen by the organization as a signal that it needed to send its winner to Miss World. Therefore, in 1999, there were no Miss World Venezuela or Miss Venezuela International titles, only an official Miss Venezuela, who was Martina Thorogood. Her first runner-up, Norkys Batista, was told that she would become Miss Venezuela to Miss Universe only if Martina won the Miss World crown outright. Martina came in second at Miss World and she was expected continue on to Miss Universe 2000 the next year. However, due to a number of major controversies, she was barred from Miss Universe 2000 on the grounds that as the first runner-up to Miss World, she was contracted to the organization and would have to succeed to that title if Yukta Mookhey, the winner that year, did not complete her reign. Osmel also declared that Miss Universe demanded a winner from Venezuela, thereby barring Norkys Batista from succeeding to the title. The only option for Norkys to go was for Martina to renounce the Miss Venezuela title, which neither she nor the organization was willing to do. Therefore, a new emergency (and temporary pageant) was held, called Miss Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, which was conducted among ten former contestants (some semifinalists and other no finalists) from the previous five years. The winner, Claudia Moreno, had placed as seventh in the semifinals behind Martina and Norkys in Miss Venezuela 1999, and she ended up performing excellently and becoming first runner-up to Miss Universe 2000. In years to come, 2002's first runner-up Amara Barroeta would join Norkys Batista as one of several runners-ups to be "denied" the chance to compete at a "big three" pageant.
In the USA and many other countries, an occasion when the order of succession comes into play is when the reigning titleholder wins her international contest, e.g. in 1997 when Brook Mahealani Lee became Miss Universe and her first runner-up Brandi Sherwood became Miss USA. Interestingly, however, Venezuela does not have this official provision, even when the two "equal" winners both win Miss Universe and Miss World. In 1981, Miriam Quintana was considered somewhat unofficially as the serving Miss Venezuela, because both Irene Saez and Pilin Leon had won their respective pageants. However, in 1995-1996, when Alicia Machado took the Miss Universe title and Jacqueline Aguilera the Miss World crown, no new "Miss Venezuela" was appointed to hold the crown while they reigned internationally, though some newspapers said that Carla Steinkopf, Miss International Venezuela 1995, would give the crown to the 1996 winner. In general, all times when Venezuela has won the Miss Universe Pageant, is Miss Universe herself who gives the crown to the new Miss Venezuela, not Miss World Venezuela or another finalist.
"Miss Venezuela" Winners
The following women have been crowned Miss Venezuela:[1]
Year
Miss Venezuela
State
Venue
1952
Sofía Silva Inserry
Bolívar
Valle Arriba Golf Club, Caracas
1953-54
Gisela Bolaños Scarton
Carabobo
Valle Arriba Golf Club, Caracas
1955
Carmen Susana Duijm Zubillaga
Miranda
Hotel Tamanaco, Caracas
1956
Blanca "Blanquita" Heredia Osío
Distrito Federal
Hotel Tamanaco, Caracas
1957
Consuelo Leticia Nouel Gómez
Distrito Federal
Hotel Tamanaco, Caracas
1958-59
Ida Margarita Pieri
Sucre
Hotel Ávila, Caracas
1960
Gladys "Laly" Ascanio Arredondo
Distrito Federal
Hotel Tamanaco, Caracas
1961
Anasaria "Ana" Griselda Vegas Albornoz
Caracas
Hotel Tamanaco, Caracas
1962
Olga "Olguita" Antonetti Núñez
Anzoátegui
Teatro París, Caracas
1963
Irene Amelia Morales Machado
Guárico
Teatro París, Caracas
1964
Mercedes Revenga De La Rosa
Miranda
Teatro París, Caracas
1965
María Auxiliadora De Las Casas Mc. Gill
Distrito Federal
Teatro del Círculo Militar, Caracas
1966
Magaly Beatriz Castro Egui
Guárico
Teatro del Este, Caracas
1967
Mariela Pérez Branger
Departamento Vargas
Teatro de la Escuela Militar, Caracas
1968
Peggy Kopp Arenas
Distrito Federal
Teatro Altamira, Caracas
1969
María José de las Mercedes Yellici Sánchez (resigned)
Aragua
Teatro París, Caracas
Marzia Rita Gisela Piazza Suprani
Departamento Vargas
1970
Bella Mercedes La Rosa De La Rosa
Carabobo
Teatro Nacional de Venezuela, Caracas
1971
Jeanette Amelia de la Coromoto Donzella Sánchez
Monagas
Teatro Nacional de Venezuela, Caracas
1972
María Antonieta Cámpoli Prisco
Nueva Esparta
Teatro París, Caracas
1973
Ana Paola Desirée Facchinei Rolando
Carabobo
Club de Sub-Oficiales, Caracas
1974
Neyla Chiquinquirá Moronta Sangronis
Zulia
Club de Sub-Oficiales, Caracas
1975
Maritza Pineda Montoya
Nueva Esparta
Poliedro de Caracas, Caracas
1976
Elluz Coromoto Peraza González (resigned)
Guárico
Teatro París, Caracas
Judith Josefina Castillo Uribe
Nueva Esparta
1977
Cristal del Mar Montañez Arocha
Departamento Vargas
Teatro París, Caracas
1978
Marisol Alfonzo Marcano
Guárico
Teatro del Club de Sub-Oficiales, Caracas
1979
Maritza Sayalero Fernández
Departamento Vargas
Hotel Caracas Hilton, Caracas
1980
María Xavier "Maye" Brandt Angulo
Lara
Hotel Macuto Sheraton, Caraballeda, Vargas
1981
Irene Lailín Sáez Conde
Miranda
Hotel Macuto Sheraton, Caraballeda, Vargas
1982
Ana Teresa Oropeza Villavicencio
Guárico
Hotel Macuto Sheraton, Caraballeda, Vargas
1983
Paola Laura Ruggeri Ghigo
Portuguesa
Hotel Macuto Sheraton, Caraballeda, Vargas
1984
Carmen María Montiel Ávila
Zulia
Hotel Macuto Sheraton, Caraballeda, Vargas
1985
Silvia Cristina Martínez Stapulionis
Guárico
Hotel Macuto Sheraton, Caraballeda, Vargas
1986
Bárbara Palacios Teyde
Trujillo
Teatro Municipal de Caracas, Caracas
1987
Inés María Calero Rodríguez
Nueva Esparta
Teatro Municipal de Caracas, Caracas
1988
Yajaira Cristina Vera Roldán
Miranda
Teatro Municipal de Caracas, Caracas
1989
Eva Lisa Larsdotter Ljung
Lara
Poliedro de Caracas, Caracas
1990
Andreína Katarina Goetz Blohm
Bolívar
Poliedro de Caracas, Caracas
1991
Carolina Eva Izsak Kemenify
Amazonas
Poliedro de Caracas, Caracas
1992
Milka Yelisava Chulina Urbanich
Aragua
Poliedro de Caracas, Caracas
1993
Minorka Marisela Mercado Carrero
Apure
Teresa Carreño Cultural Complex, Caracas
1994
Denyse del Carmen Floreano Camargo
Costa Oriental
Teresa Carreño Cultural Complex, Caracas
1995
Yoseph Alicia Machado Fajardo
Yaracuy
Poliedro de Caracas, Caracas
1996
Marena Josefina Bencomo Giménez
Carabobo
Poliedro de Caracas, Caracas
1997
Veruska Tatiana Ramírez
Táchira
Poliedro de Caracas, Caracas
1998
Lucbel Carolina Indriago Pinto
Delta Amacuro
Poliedro de Caracas, Caracas
1999
Martina Thorogood Heemsen
Miranda
Poliedro de Caracas, Caracas
2000
Eva Mónica Anna Ekvall Johnson
Apure
Poliedro de Caracas, Caracas
2001
Cynthia Cristina Lander Zamora
Distrito Capital
Poliedro de Caracas, Caracas
2002
Mariángel Ruiz Torrealba
Aragua
Poliedro de Caracas, Caracas
2003
Ana Karina Áñez Delgado
Lara
Estudio 1, Venevisión, Caracas
2004
Mónica Spear Mootz
Guárico
Poliedro de Caracas, Caracas
2005
Jictzad Nakarhyt Viña Carreño
Sucre
Poliedro de Caracas, Caracas
2006
Lidymar Carolina "Ly" Jonaitis Escalona
Guárico
Poliedro de Caracas, Caracas
2007
Dayana Sabrina Mendoza Moncada
Amazonas
Poliedro de Caracas, Caracas
2008
Stefanía Fernández Krupij
Trujillo
Poliedro de Caracas, Caracas
Venezuelan representatives to International pageants
The following women have represented Venezuela in international pageants:
Representatives to Miss Universe
Year
Representatives to Miss Universe
State
Ranking
1952
Sofía Silva
Bolivar
1953
Gisela Bolaños
Carabobo
1954
-
1955
Susana Duijm
Miranda
Semi-Finalist
1956
Blanca Heredia
Distrito Federal
Semi-Finalist
1957
Consuelo Nouel
Distrito Federal
1958
Ida Margarita Pieri
Sucre
1959
-
1960
Mary Quiroz
Yaracuy
1961
Ana Griselda Vegas
Caracas
1962
Virginia Bailey
Nueva Esparta
1963
Irene Morales
Guarico
1964
Mercedes Revenga
Miranda
Semi-Finalist
1965
María de las Casas
Distrito Federal
1966
Magaly Castro Egui
Guarico
1967
Mariela Pérez Branger
Departamento Vargas
1st runner-up
1968
Peggy Kopp
Distrito Federal
3rd runner-up
1969
María José Yéllici
Aragua
1970
Bella La Rosa
Carabobo
Semi-Finalist
1971
Jeannette Donzella
Monagas
1972
María Antonieta Cámpoli
Nueva Esparta
2nd runner-up
1973
Desireé Rolando
Carabobo
1974
Neyla Moronta
Zulia
1975
Maritza Pineda
Nueva Esparta
1976
Judith Castillo*
Nueva Esparta
1st runner-up
1977
Cristal Montañez
Departamento Vargas
Semi-Finalist
1978
Marisol Alfonzo
Guarico
1979
Maritza Sayalero
Departamento Vargas
MISS UNIVERSE 1979
1980
Maye Brandt†
Lara
1981
Irene Sáez
Miranda
MISS UNIVERSE 1981
1982
Ana Teresa Oropeza
Guarico
1983
Paola Ruggeri
Portuguesa
Semi-Finalist
1984
Carmen María Montiel
Zulia
2nd runner-up
1985
Silvia Martínez
Guarico
3rd runner-up
1986
Bárbara Palacios
Trujillo
MISS UNIVERSE 1986
1987
Inés María Calero
Nueva Esparta
3rd runner-up
1988
Yajaira Vera
Miranda
Semi-Finalist
1989
Eva Lisa Ljung
Lara
Semi-Finalist
1990
Andreína Goetz
Bolivar
Semi-Finalist
1991
Jackeline Rodríguez
Miranda
Finalist (Top 6)
1992
Carolina Izsak
Amazonas
Finalist (Top 6)
1993
Milka Chulina
Aragua
2nd runner-up
1994
Minorka Mercado
Apure
2nd runner-up
1995
Denyse Floreano
Costa Oriental
Finalist (Top 6)
1996
Alicia Machado
Yaracuy
MISS UNIVERSE 1996
1997
Marena Bencomo
Carabobo
1st runner-up
1998
Veruska Ramirez
Tachira
1st runner-up
1999
Carolina Indriago
Delta Amacuro
Finalist (Top 5)
2000
Claudia Moreno**
Distrito Federal
1st runner-up
2001
Eva Ekvall
Apure
3rd runner-up
2002
Cynthia Lander
Distrito Capital
4th runner-up
2003
Mariangel Ruiz
Aragua
1st runner-up
2004
Ana Karina Áñez
Lara
2005
Mónica Spear
Guarico
4th runner-up
2006
Jictzad Viña
Sucre
2007
Ly Jonaitis
Guarico
2nd runner-up
2008
Dayana Mendoza
Amazonas
MISS UNIVERSE 2008
2009
Stefanía Fernández
Trujillo
TBA
Representatives to Miss World
Year
Representatives to Miss World
State
Ranking
1955
Carmen Susana Duijm Zubillaga
Miranda
MISS WORLD 1955
1956
Celsa Drucila Pieri
Sucre
1957
Consuelo Leticia Nouel Gómez
Distrito Federal
1958
Ida Margarita Pieri
Sucre
1959
-
1960
Miriam Maritza Estévez Acevedo
Caracas
WITHDREW
1961
Bexi Cecilia Romero Tosta
Aragua
1962
Betzabé Franco Blanco
Aragua
Semi-Finalist
1963
Milagros Galíndez Castillo
Miranda
1964
Mercedes Hernández Nieves
Portuguesa
Semi-Finalist
1965
Nancy Elizabeth González Aceituno
Anzoategui
1966
Jeannette Kopp Arenas
Distrito Federal
1967
Irene Margarita Böttger González
Bolivar
1968
María Dolores (Cherry) Núñez Rodríguez
Miranda
1969
Marzia Rita Gisela Piazza Suprani
Nueva Esparta
4th RUNNER-UP
1970
Tomasa Nina (Tomasita) de las Casas Mata
Miranda
1971
Ana María Padrón Ibarrondo
Carabobo
Semi-Finalist
1972
Amalia del Carmen Heller Gómez
Sucre
1973
Edicta de los Angeles García Oporto
Zulia
1974
Alicia Rivas Serrano
Departamento Vargas
1975
María de la Concepción (María Conchita) Alonso Bustillos
Distrito Federal
Finalist
1976
Maria Genoveva Rivero Giménez
Lara
Semi-Finalist
1977
Jacqueline van den Branden
Distrito Federal
1978
Katy Patricia Tóffoli Andrade
Falcon
Semi-Finalist
1979
Tatiana Capote Abdel
Barinas
DISQUALIFIED
1980
Hilda Astrid Abrahamz Navarro
Departamento Vargas
Semi-Finalist
1981
Carmen Josefina (Pilín) León Crespo
Aragua
MISS WORLD 1981
1982
Michelle Marie Shoda Belloso
Falcon
1983
Carolina del Valle Cerruti Duijm
Apure
1984
Astrid Carolina Herrera Irazábal
Miranda
MISS WORLD 1984
1985
Ruddy Rosario Rodríguez de Lucía
Anzoategui
Finalist
1986
Maria Begoña Juaristi Mateo
Zulia
Finalist
1987
Albany Josefina Lozada Jiménez
Portuguesa
1st RUNNER-UP
1988
Emma Irmgard Marina Rabbe Ramírez
Distrito Federal
Finalist
1989
Fabiola Chiara Candosín Marchetti
Distrito Federal
1990
Sharon Raquel Luengo González
Costa Oriental
2nd RUNNER-UP
1991
Ninibeth Beatriz Leal Jiménez
Zulia
MISS WORLD 1991
1992
Francis del Valle Gago Aponte
Bolivar
2nd RUNNER-UP
1993
Mónica Lei Scaccia
Distrito Federal
Finalist
1994
Irene Esther Ferreira Izquierdo
Miranda
2nd RUNNER-UP
1995
Jacqueline María Aguilera Marcano
Nueva Esparta
MISS WORLD 1995
1996
Anna Cepinska Miszczak
Nueva Esparta
Finalist
1997
Christina Dieckmann Jiménez
Nueva Esparta
1998
Verónica Schneider Rodríguez
Monagas
1999
Martina Thorogood Heemsen
Miranda
1st RUNNER-UP
2000
Vanessa Maria Cárdenas Bravo
Zulia
2001
Andreina del Carmen Prieto Rincón
Zulia
2002
Goizeder Victoria Azua Barrios
Carabobo
TOP 10 Finalist
2003
Valentina Patruno Macero
Miranda
Semi-Finalist
2004
Andrea Maria Milroy Díaz
Trujillo
2005
Berliz Susan Carrizo Escandela
Costa Oriental
2006
Alexandra Federica Guzmán Diamante****
Miranda
Semi-Finalist
2007
Claudia Paola Suárez Fernández
Merida
Semi-Finalist
2008
Hannelly Zulami Quintero Ledezma
Cojedes
Semi-Finalist
2009
María Milagros Véliz Pinto
Anzoátegui
TBA
Representatives to Miss International
Year
Representatives to Miss International
State
Ranking
1960
Gladys (Laly) Ascanio Arredondo
Distrito Federal
Semi-finalist
1961
Gloria Lilué Chaljub
Distrito Federal
1962
Olga Antonetti Nuñez†
Anzoategui
Semi-finalist
1963
Norah Luisa Duarte Rojas
Carabobo
1964
Lisla Vilia Silva Negrón
Zulia
Semi-finalist
1965
Thamara Josefina Leal
Zulia
1966
No Pageant
1967
Cecilia Picón-Febres
Merida
1968
Jovann Navas Ravelo
Aragua
1969
Cristina Mercedes Keusch Pérez
Miranda
Semi-finalist
1970
Marzia Rita Gisela Piazza Suprani
Nueva Esparta
1971
Sonia Zaya Ledezma Corvo
Monagas
1972
Marilyn Plessmann Martínez
Guarico
Semi-finalist
1973
Hilda Elvira Carrero García†
Tachira
Semi-finalist
1974
Marisela Carderera Marturet
Distrito Federal
1975
María del Carmen Yamel Díaz Rodríguez
Carabobo
1976
Betzabeth Ayala
Miranda
Semi-finalist
1977
Betty Paredes
Lara
1978
Dora Maria (Doris) Fueyo Moreno
Anzoategui
1979
Nilza Josefina Moronta Sangronis
Zulia
1980
Graciela Lucía Rosanna La Rosa Guarneri
Amazonas
Semi-finalist
1981
Miriam Quintana
Distrito Federal
Semi-finalist
1982
Amaury Martínez Macero
Amazonas
1983
Donnatella (Donna) Bottone Tiranti
Miranda
1984
Miriam Leyderman Eppel
Nueva Esparta
1st RUNNER-UP
1985
Alejandrina "Nina" Sicilia Hernandez
Monagas
MISS INTERNATIONAL 1985
1986
Nancy Josefina Gallardo Quiñones
Portuguesa
Semi-finalist
1987
Begoña Victoria (Vicky) García Varas
Departamento Libertador
Semi-finalist
1988
María Eugenia Duarte Lugo
Peninsula Goajira
1989
Beatriz Carolina Omaña Trujillo
Nueva Esparta
2nd RUNNER-UP
1990
Vanessa Cristina Holler Noel
Portuguesa
Semi-finalist
1991
Niurka Auristela Acevedo
Monagas
1992
Maria Eugenia Rodríguez Noguera
Portuguesa
Semi-finalist
1993
Rina Faviola Mónica Spitale Baiamonte
Yaracuy
Semi-finalist
1994
Milka Yelisava Chulina Urbanich
Aragua
Semi-finalist
1995
Ana Maria Amorer Guerrero
Apure
1st RUNNER-UP
1996
Carla Andreína Steinkopf Struve
Costa Oriental
Semi-finalist
1997
Consuelo Adler Hernández
Miranda
MISS INTERNATIONAL 1997
1998
Daniela Kosán Montcourt
Aragua
1st RUNNER-UP
1999
Andreína Mercedes Llamozas González
Vargas
Semi-finalist
2000
Vivian Ines Urdaneta Rincón
Costa Oriental
MISS INTERNATIONAL 2000
2001
Aura Consuelo Zambrano Alejos
Tachira
1st RUNNER-UP
2002
Cynthia Cristina Lander Zamora
Distrito Capital
2003
Goizeder Victoria Azua Barrios
Carabobo
MISS INTERNATIONAL 2003
2004
Eleidy María Aparicio Serrano
Costa Oriental
2005
María Andrea Gómez Vásquez
Distrito Capital
Semi-finalist
2006
Daniela Anette di Giacomo di Giovanni
Barinas
MISS INTERNATIONAL 2006
2007
Vanessa Jacqueline Gómez Peretti
Sucre
Semi-finalist
2008
Dayana Carolina Colmenares Bocchieri
Carabobo
Semi-finalist
2009
Laksmi Rodríguez de la Sierra
Monagas
TBA
