International Pageant of Pulchritude

Gedeon Manlulu
Miss Universe
Lineup of the winners at the 1930 competition.
The winners of the 1930 competition.
Date1926 (1926)–1935 (1935)
LocationGalveston, Texas, U.S.
Also known asMiss Universe

The International Pageant of Pulchritude, also known as Miss Universe or the International Beauty Contest, was a beauty contest that began in 1920, featuring contestants from multiple nations. This pageant originated the title "Miss Universe" and was the first international contest. The last pageant event in the United States was held in 1931 and additional Miss Universe events were held until 1935. The contest served as a model for modern contests that began after World War II.

The contest originated in Galveston, Texas, United States. The last Miss Universe event of this pre-World War II era was held in Brussels, Belgium. Though this contest served as a model and inspiration for the modern Miss Universe contests, the modern organization has no direct affiliation with these older contests.