Former Miss Universe Margaret Gardiner set for homecoming to ...
Margaret Gardiner (Supplied)
South African-born journalist Margaret Gardiner, who was Miss Universe in 1978, is set for a homecoming in August to attend the Miss SA crowning.
Gardiner will return to SA during the week of 8 August, with the crowning event happening on 10 August at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria.
Gardiner was the first South African to be crowned Miss Universe and celebrates 46 years of her win on 24 July, when she received the honour in Mexico.
Other South Africans who have won Miss Universe are Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters in 2017 and Zozibini Tunzi in 2019.
"This July I celebrate a huge honour in representing my country in Mexico 46 years ago and becoming the first Miss Universe from South Africa," Gardiner wrote on Instagram.
"An honour that stood for almost 40 years before I was joined by two incredible women Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters in 2017 and Zozibini Tunzi in 2019," she wrote.
"Representing South Africa in the Miss Universe Pageant held in Mexico allowed me to be adopted by the people of Mexico which I visited so many times during my reign," Gardiner wrote in a separate post.
"As I look back at the many wonderful people and countries over the past 46 years, I feel like the luckiest person in the world to represent South Africa," she said.
Gardiner, who is based in Los Angeles, frequents red-carpet events in the US.
Her fictional novel, Damaged Beauty: Joey Superstar, is set to hit SA shelves in March 2025, followed by US and UK releases.
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