Colombian Idols - Luz Marina Zuloaga

 Miss Universe 1958

On July 25, 1958, Luz Marina Zuluaga, Colombia's delegate, was crowned Miss Universe, replacing Gladys Zender Urbina (Peru), who had won the universal event in July 1957. Thirty-six beauty queens from all over the world compete for the global title, including Poland, a Communist nation in Eastern Europe. That year, the Latin American nation was one of three countries - British Guiana (now Guyana) and Dutch Guiana (present-day Suriname) were the others--- to make its MU debut in Long Beach, CA. Her performance became her a national celebrity in the South American republic.

During the pageant, Zuluaga had been considered a dark horse. Colombia's Miss Universe Luz Marina, a native of Pereira, was the first Miss Universe to appear on a national postage stamp. After his victory, Luz Marina Zuluaga received several telegrams from friends and personalities who wanted to congratulate her, among them Alberto Lleras Camargo, Colombia's Head of State (1958-1962). Meanwhile, a nationwide celebration occurred, from Bucaramanga and Cali to Bogota and Manizales, after the victory.

Subsequently she embarked on a two-week tour of Latin America. Without a doubt, her image has been invaluable in the development of a positive public image for Colombia, a pageant-obsessed nation. By the late 1950s and early 1960s, she was considered one of the region's most beautiful girls.

An Idol in Colombia

At the 24th Miss Universe in San Salvador, El Salvador' s capital city (Central America), she was one of the international judges, together with Jean-Claude Killy (Olympic champ), Leon Uris (novelist), and Sarah Vaugham (performer). With support from Zuluaga, Miss Colombia 1975, Martha Lucia Echeverri Trujillo, qualified for the semi-finals in Central America. During the pageant, she also met with Norma Beatriz Nolan (MU 1962), Gladys Zender (MU 1957), Corinna Tsopei (MU 1964) and Kerry Anne Wells (MU 1972).

Like Juan Pablo Montoya (auto racing), Shakira (singer), and Maria Isabel Urrutia (ex athlete), Zuluaga is an idol in Colombia. Since Zuluaga became the nation's first MU, Colombia has not won an Miss Universe title. By 1987, Patricia López was seen as a hope of bringing the country its second Miss Universe. Two weeks before Miss Universe Pageant, she had been crowned Miss South America Universe, at the expense of Ines Maria Calero (Venezuela) and Cecilia Bolocco (Chile).

During the global event in Singapore, Miss Colombia became the darling of the press, and she won the Miss Photogenic award. Due to all this, Miss López was one of the heavy favorites to win the international contest. However she did not even make the semi-finals at the Miss Universe in Asia. From 1992 to 1994, Miss Colombia was runner-up. In 1997 the country's representative Claudia Vasquez, a pre-pageant favorite, failed to make the semi-finals in Miami Beach, Florida (USA).

Alejandro Guevara Onofre: Freelance writer. Alejandro is author of a host of articles/essays about over 220 countries and dependencies (and American States as well), from ecology, history, tourism and national heroes to Olympic sports, foreign relations, and wildlife. In addition, he has published some books on women's rights, among them "History of the Women in America" and "Famous Americans." Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alejandro_Guevara_Onofre