Miss Universe Trophy

item details

NameMiss Universe Trophy

ProductionMiss Universe, Inc; commissioner; 1983

Classificationtrophies

Materialswood, metal

Materials SummaryMetal and wood.

DimensionsOverall: 357mm (width), 840mm (height), 357mm (depth)

Registration NumberGH024000

Credit lineGift of Lorraine Downes, 2012

Overview

This Miss Universe trophy was awarded to Miss New Zealand, Lorraine Downes at the Miss Universe pageant in July, 1983 in St. Louis, Missouri. To date Lorraines Downes was the first, and only, Miss New Zealand to ever win Miss Universe.

The three tier trophy features the Miss Universe symbol, known as 'The Mark of Beauty', which features a female figure with a sceptre being orbited by stars.

The trophy was part of Lorraine Downe’s extensive prize package. Miss Universe 1983 received $US90,000 in cash plus a Personal Appearance Contract, screen test, first class air travel and a range of luxury goods including a mink coat, a Chrysler convertible, boat, cosmetics, jewellery, clothes and shoes.

Following Lorraine Downes’ win, an Auckland Star journalist went to the trouble of interviewing staff at Inland Revenue and Customs, for a story on whether or not the young beauty queen would have to pay tax or duty on her prizes! She didn’t.