24 July, 1978: Margaret Gardiner becomes 1st Saffa to win Miss Universe

24 July, 1978: Margaret Gardiner becomes 1st Saffa to win Miss Universe

- On this day in 1978, Margaret Gardiner was crowned Miss Universe in Mexico

- The then 18-year-old Gardiner became the first in South Africa and Africa to win the title

- She now works as a journalist in Hollywood and she often posts snaps of the famous people she meets on Instagram

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Today, 42 years ago, Margaret Gardiner made history when she became the first South African to ever win the Miss Universe title.

The pageant was hosted in Mexico and the then 18-year-old Gardiner walked away with the crown.

The moment paved a way for Gardiner in the entertainment industry and she now works as a journalist in Hollywood where she interviews some of the world's biggest celebs.

She is a member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and often gets the chance to attend LA's most lavish red carpets.

On her Instagram page, Gardiner often posts snaps of the A-listers she meet - including Beyonce, Chris Hemsworth and Taylor Swift, to name only a few.

Gardiner is much more than just a pretty face. She holds a BA degree in Psychology from the College of Charleston and she has written two books on health and beauty, Wikipedia reports.

As for her personal life, Gardiner is married to a professor of Pediatrics and Public Health, Andre Nel.

Nel works at the prestigious University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

24 July, 1978: Margaret Gardiner becomes 1st Saffa to win Miss Universe
Margaret Gardiner made history when she became the first South African to win Miss Universe. Photo: @margaret_gardiner.
Source: Instagram

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Since Gardiner, several other beautiful SA ladies have gone on to win the title. Most recently, Zozibini 'Zozi' Tunzi won the crown.

Zozi was crowned the 2019 Miss Universe and her success has meant a lot for women in South Africa.

Meanwhile, in other news, earlier Briefly.co.za reported Hlompho Kekana is the new owner of a Golf 7 R. Volkswagen Polokwane revealed the news on Twitter.

The post read:

"New VW Golf R for our brand ambassador Hlompho Kekana while on training, because everyone needs to be in their own car during this pandemic to help with social distancing."

The turbocharged 2.0-litre German beast boasts with an impressive price tag of over R700 000.

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Source: Briefly News

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