First Miss Universe from Brazil, Ieda Maria Vargas, dies at 80

First Miss Universe from Brazil Ieda Maria Vargas passed away at the age of 80. (Picture Credit: Instagram/@ieda_maria_vargas_oficial)

• Ieda Maria Vargas, Brazil's first Miss Universe, died on Dec 22 in Gramado.
• She won Miss Universe in 1963 at 18, later becoming a model and TV presenter.
• Miss Universe honored Vargas, praising her pioneering legacy.

Did our AI summary help?

First Miss Universe from Brazil Ieda Maria Vargas is no more. She died on December 22 in Gramado at the age of 80 and the cause of her death remains unknown. As per ND Mais, Vargas was reportedly admitted to Hospital Arcanjo Sao Miguel. It was in the ICU that the model breathed her last. Her death was confirmed by family members and her daughter Fernanda Vargas, as per reports.

About Ieda Maria Vargas

Vargas was born on December 31, 1944, in Porto Alegre. Before winning Miss Universe 1963 pageant, she had participated in other beauty pageants and won the title of the Queen of the Swimming Pools of Rio Grande do Sul in 1962, Miss Porto Alegre and Miss Brazil. Then in the year 1963, Vargas participate in Miss Universe pageant and made her country proud by bringing the crown home.

Also read: Prada to launch Rs 85,000 'Make in India' sandals, collaborates with Maharashtra and Karnataka artisans

She was 18 at the time when she won the Miss Universe crown. "I was not prepared, but the serenity helped me. I never thought I would win," she said in her winning speech.

After winning the crown of Miss Universe, she continued to work as a model and eventually went on to don many hats of a businesswoman, art curator and television presenter.

She married a businessman whose name was Jose Carlos Athansio and together the couple had two kids - Enzo and Fernanda. Her husband had an untimely death in the year 2009.

Vergas' health deteriorated when she suffered a stroke in the year 2000. She was 55 at the time. Her heart-related problems also affected her speech and memory.

Also read: World's heaviest gold dress is priced at a whopping Rs 9.65 crore; Details inside

What Miss Universe Organisation said

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Miss Universe (@missuniverse)

Condoling the demise of the model, the Miss Universe organization wrote, "The Miss Universe Organization extends its deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and all who were touched by the life of Iêda Maria Vargas, Miss Universe 1963." It also added, "As the first woman from Brazil to hold the Miss Universe crown, her grace and pioneering spirit left an indelible mark on our history. May her legacy continue to inspire generations to come."