Miss World Sweden - Controversies

Controversies

In the 1970 Miss World pageant, held in London, United Kingdom, controversy followed after the result was announced. Black contestant Jennifer Hosten (1948-) of Grenada won, and black contestant Pearl Jansen of South Africa placed second, after which the BBC and newspapers received numerous protests about the result, and accusations of racism were made by all sides. Four of the nine judges had given first-place votes to Miss Sweden Marjorie Christel Johansson, while Miss Grenada received only two firsts, yet Johansson finished fourth. Since the Prime Minister of Grenada, Sir Eric Gairy, was on the judging panel, inevitably there were many accusations that the contest had been rigged. Some of the audience gathered in the street outside Royal Albert Hall after the contest and chanted "Swe-den, Swe-den". Four days later, organising director Julia Morley (1941-) resigned because of the intense pressure from the newspapers. Years later, Johansson was reported as saying that she had been cheated out of the title. (In 1979 Gairy was overthrown after years of corruption, favoritism, and human rights abuses.)

Rita Rudolfsson Berntsson, at the 1972 Miss World pageant, created a mild sensation at the luncheon, where she wore a gown which had the flag of Sweden attached to her derrière. The crew were likely much more impressed with top front panel of her gown which barely covered the sides of her breasts. She was told to change the outfit.

Jennifer Palm Lundberg placed third runner-up in the national pageant, but won the title when each of the original top three placers declined the crown. This happened after arguments over the contract for the winner. It was revealed that the original winner was fired when her lawyer suggested her not to sign the contract written by the agency. The first and second runner-ups each declined the crown for various reasons.