Miss World 1981

 Miss World 1981

 

Miss World 1981, the 31st Miss World pageant. was held on November 12, 1981 in the Royal Albert Hall, London, UK. The winner was Pilín León from Venezuela, the first titleholder from her country since 1955. Another Venezuelan, Irene Sáez, had been crowned Miss Universe 1981 in July, making Venezuela one of the very few countries to hold both major international titles (Miss Universe and Miss World) in the same year.

Pilin Leon - Venezuela
Chestnut-haired Pilin Leon, then, 18-year-old computer engineering student student from Venezuela, was crowned Miss World 1981 on Thrusday November 12, 1981 night and immediately vowed to serve her full year on the beauty throne - unlike her predecessor who quit in less than a day. "This is mine and I'm going to keep it," the tearful Leon told reporters after being selected from among 67 entrants at the 31st annual Miss World Contest. Despite having been made the pre-contest favourite by British bettors, the lanky brown-eyed Leon declared, "I didn't expect to win. There are so many pretty girls." Leon was also named winner of the Americas Queen of Beauty Trophy, one of five continental prizes awarded for the first time that year. To Leon went the top prize worth $51,192 including a fur coat amd a one-year employment contract. During the finals Leon was asked what kind of men she liked. "Intelligent," she answered. "Just Intelligent?" asked host Judith Chalmers. "And very tall," replied the five-foot-ten Leon. After relinquished her Miss World crown, Leon did not let her Miss World fame go to her head.  She returned to university to study and finished a degree in computer engineering. Leon since worked as a TV presenter and formed her own company organising product launches. She is now married and has a wonderful family with three sons. We last saw her at the 2002 pageant in London where she was invited to joined the show as one of the judging panel.