PICTURE OF THE WEEK

"The Universe Diverse"

February is Black History Month in the USA, and to celebrate, we are proud to present two pictures of one of our all-time favorite Miss Universe contestants, Anne Marie Braafheid, Miss Curaçao 1968. Anne Marie was the first black woman to make the finals at Miss Universe, and what's more, she was the first black woman to make it to the final two.

In the picture on the left, we see Bob Barker, in his second year as host, interviewing Anne Marie. Isn't Anne Marie's trendy Sassoon hair cut simply shagadelic?

Anne Marie's beauty and charm wowed the judges at the 1968 Miss Universe Pageant...and wowed those of us watching at home, too.

In the end, though, she lost the title of Miss Universe 1968 to another woman of beauty and charm, Martha Vasconcellos of Brazil. In the picture on the right, we see Anne Marie smiling at Martha. On Anne Marie's right is second runner-up, Miss Finland, Leena Marketta Brusiin.

Today, thirty-two years later, Anne Marie remains one of the most radiant and elegant women to grace the Universal stage, and it is difficult to imagine that her star will ever be eclipsed.

For more on Anne Marie, visit the Beauty School Pantheon.