CB'S HOMAGE TO GLADYS ZENDER

FIFTY YEARS AGO

William Prendiz de Jurado on the Golden Coronation Anniversary
of Gladys Zender as Miss Universe

       It is hard to believe, that it has been 50 years since July 19, 1957, that the first Latina, Gladys Zender of Peru, became MISS UNIVERSE 1957.

       It was considered the most hectic MU pageant ever staged in its 6 year history, in Long Beach, California.

       We all know the story that Miss Maryland, Leona Gage, was married and what a scandal it caused. It was on the headlines of newspapers for 48 hours around the world. This incident actually put the pageant on the world map. When Leona spilled the beans, this was probably the very first LIVE Breaking News covered on television.

       Two days later, Gladys was found out not to be 18 years old.

       Here are some facts about Gladys Zender:

       She was crowned Miss Peru on July 7, 1957 and had difficulties getting traveling documents out of Peru, even though one of her uncles had a high powering job in the Peruvian government. Because of this, she was the last contestant to arrive in Long Beach. When a hostess-at-large, Mrs. Arnold B. Berg met Gladys at Los Angeles International Airport, Mrs. Berg told me, in 1964, that when she saw Gladys walking off the plane, she knew she would become Miss Universe 1957!

       Back in the 1950s and early 1960s, during the Long Beach era, the runner-ups and winners were announced backstage before they were announced to the LIVE television and auditorium audience to assure their composure on stage. Gladys: "My head was swimming when I heard I was Miss Universe," she exclaimed. "I thought my head was on the ground and my feet in the air."

       When on stage, she burst into tears, with the ovation of the audience, and she was given two hankies to dry her tears of happiness. News of her winning hit Peru like an atom bomb, stated her hostess, Mrs. Roy J. Miller.

       The following morning, her true age was disclosed, and she and her father were sequestered until the pageant officials would decide what to do about this matter.

       During the contract negotiations, overseas calls were interrupting the meeting. All of the important people in Peru were calling to congratulate Gladys; the calls started coming in the night before when she was crowned. One was from Hollywood television legend Ed Sullivan to ask her to appear on his Sunday night program, which she did a week or so later.

       During this time, her father, Eduardo Zender, went through her contract with a fine-tooth-comb, becoming somewhat demanding, and what she would do and not do! One demand was that his wife Rosa Zender would be her official chaperone on whatever trips her contract would demand, and she would NOT appear in a swimsuit in any of her personal appearances. Dad: "It is not fitting for my daughter to become a swimsuit model." He also opposed an acting career for her. You see, back then, Latin fathers were very protective with their daughters, and that daughters would never do anything to displease their parents. Not like in today's world. Gladys had not even had a date before she came to Long Beach, and would just go out with friends and a chaperone always in toe.

       After the smoke cleared - Gladys danced serenely through the confusion at her Coronation Ball in the Lafayette Hotel. (In 1952 and 1953, the MU winners were also 17 years of age.)

       One of her prizes was a 1957 Chevrolet automobile valued at $3,700.00. She told me, a few years ago, that she had sold it years ago to get a newer model automobile and that it is now a taxi in Lima.

       A few days later, Gladys and a few of the other contestants and a few chaperones were the guest of Conrad Hilton (Paris Hilton's grandfather), at his Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills and were treated to a five-star dinner and dancing, with a live orchestra, in the Hotel French restaurant, L'Escoiffe. Each contestant was given orchid corsages.

       Peru proclaimed a national holiday in her honor!

       During the Latin American tour for Max Factor, the cosmetic company, a Hollywood publicist said, "Miss Zender's triumphant procession can be compared with a combination of a Rose Bowl game, the coronation of Elizabeth II and an afternoon in the Madrid bullring."

       When she arrived in Mexico City in the wake of a devasting earthquake, she was greeted by these headlines in a leading daily: "ANOTHER EARTHQUAKE. IT'S A QUAKE OF CURVES!"

       During her year of reign, she was honored at cocktail parties, diplomatic receptions, met presidents, ambassadors, merchant princes and other hand kissers.

       During her reign, the press reported that she was linked romantically to this or that man - all not true. For her very young age, she was most sophisticated and glamorous and looked like a real Miss Universe. She met the British Captain Peter Townsend to whom she taught the Peruvian national dance "marinera." Townsend happened to be Princess Margaret's true love, though their relationship was never consummated because Townsend had been divorced: this was a no-no to the royal family. Jealous of Gladys, the Princess demanded that Townsend stop dancing the minuet with the newly crowned beauty queen. Townsend kissed Gladys' forehead in accordance with local custom; she practiced her English since he did not speak Spanish.

      Towards the end of the pageant, on July 25, 1958 at the Lafayette Hotel, the room where Gladys was staying had been robbed. Stolen were an $800 wrist watch, a $500.00 ring, and $30.00 in cash. All items were recovered, which made Gladys very happy. When she retuned in 1958 to reign over the pageant, she spoke more English than the year before. Her evening gowns that she wore during the 1958 pageant were her own creations. She had a very strong, friendly personality, and spoke very well when interviewed over television. After the pageant, she returned back to Lima to resume her life with her family and doing charity work.

      During the 1960s she would appear as an invited guest at the Miss Universe pageants that were held in Miami Beach, Florida. In 1967, on her 10th anniversary as Miss Universe, she was a judge in Miami Beach, wore a multicolored sequined dress, with big hair - looking like the glamour queen that she was. Her last appearance was as a judge again at the 1982 Miss Universe pageant held in Lima, Peru and she was awarded a special trophy for her 25th coronation anniversary. She wore a pink evening gown and looked ravishing.

      Today she lives happily married since 1965 to Antonio Meier, a mother of 4 children and 12 grandchildren. Her wedding was a secret; her guests were driven to the event in taxis so as not to tip off the press. She wore a short, white dress and went to Rio de Janeiro for their honeymoon which was cut short when the press learned about her presence. Ahhhh... the woes of a former Miss Universe!

      For her 50th anniversary, I got a Special Proclamation from Mayor Bob Foster of Long Beach, California!

      Whereas Gladys is considered by many as one of the most beautiful Miss Universe contestants of all time - upholding the poise, grace, style and prestige of a true Miss Universe.

      From me: Congratulations Gladys Zender for being such a wonderful and beautiful Miss Universe 1957 and for all the golden memories that I have of you, in 1957 and 1958!

      GOD bless you and yours.

WILLIAM PRENDIZ DE JURADO
7.18.2007

Comments? Write to William at WilliamsIBC@cs.com

Left: Gladys posing in her official Max Factor photo. Right: A pensive Gladys during a candid shot

Outside her house in San Isidro months before she would be crowned Miss Universe

Photo Credits: Bellezas Peruanas, Caretas

From Beauty School: The 1957 Miss Universe Pageant: Succès de Scandale

---

© Copyright 2007. Critical Beauty.