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Only 4 countries have won all Big Four pageant titles - and SA is halfway there!

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Catriona Gray, Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters (Photo:Getty)
Catriona Gray, Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters (Photo:Getty)

When it comes to international beauty pageants for women, Miss World, Miss Universe, Miss Earth and Miss International are the four titles which reign supreme.

In pageantry, these competitions are referred to as the "Big Four". 

Although hundreds of contestants from all over the world take part in the prestigious competitions every year, only four countries have managed to secure all four titles. 

ALSO READ: From Miss Universe to Miss World: The 'Big Four' beauty pageant titleholders right now!

Even though South Africa has failed to join this elite club (just yet!), we're halfway there - having secured victories at Miss World (Penelope Coelen, Anneline Kriel, Rolene Strauss) and Miss Universe (Margaret Gardiner, Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, Zozibini Tunzi). 

Ongoing coronavirus concerns have pushed the pause button on many pageants this year, due to the restrictions on social gatherings - although regional qualifiers across the world, have adapted and gone digital, including Miss South Africa and Miss England. 

ALSO READ: Miss SA 2020 will go forward with 'new format' amid coronavirus concerns

FOUR COUNTRIES WHICH HAVE WON ALL FOUR TITLES:

1. BRAZIL (6 WINS)

The first country to win all four major international pageant titles was Brazil, when Priscilla Meirelles won Miss Earth in 2004. Overall the country has six victories spread out between the four pageants: 

Two: Miss Universe (1963, 1968)

One: Miss World (1971)

One: Miss International (1968)

Two: Miss Earth (2004, 2009)

2. VENEZUELA (23 WINS)

While Brazil might have been the first country to obtain a Big Four win, Venezuela is the undisputed queen of the pageant world with a whopping 130 placements and 23 wins. 

Seven: Miss Universe (1979, 1981, 1986, 1996, 2008, 2009, 2013)

Six: Miss World (1955, 1981, 1984, 1991, 1995, 2011)

Eight: Miss International (1985, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2010, 2015, 2018)

Two: Miss Earth (2005, 2013)

3. PHILIPPINES (15 WINS)

After Megan Young took home the title of Miss World 2013, the Philippines became the third country to reach the impressive feat, winning titles at all of the Big Four pageants,

The country also has the longest winning streak (six years), having held the titles of Miss World 2013, Miss International 2013, Miss Earth 2014, Miss Earth 2015, Miss Universe 2015, Miss International 2016, Miss Earth 2017, and Miss Universe 2018. 

Four: Miss Universe (1969, 1973, 2015, 2018)

One: Miss World (2013)

Six: Miss International (1964, 1970, 1979, 2005, 2013, 2016)

Four: Miss Earth (2008, 2014, 2015, 2017)

4. PUERTO RICO (10 WINS) 

Puerto Rico is the latest country to join Brazil, Venezuela, and the Philippines after their 2019 victory at Miss Earth.

Although Puerto Rico was the last to nab a seat at the table, the country beats Brazil with number of wins, coming in with a total of 10 victories,  

Five: Miss Universe (1970, 1985, 1993, 2001, 2006)

Two: Miss World (1975, 2016)

Two: Miss International (1987, 2014)

One: Miss Earth (2019)

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