Did you know that the first ever Miss Universe gave up her title to marry a Filipino? 

Armi Helena Kuusela was the first to ever hold the prestigious Ms. Universe crown. She represented Finlad after winning the national pageant, Suomen Neito, in May 24, 1952. She flew to California to participate in the first ever Miss Universe pageant in June 17 of the same year. She was only 17 years old when she competed and 5'5" in height. 

Everyone was taken aback after she gave up her crown to marry a Filipino named Virgilio Hilario! 

They met on a blind date while she was in the Philippines for a visit. She was invited to crown the winner of the 1953 Miss Philippines by the PH's International Fair Committee. She flew to Japan afterwards, but Hilario followed her all the way to Tokyo. This is where they fell in love and their romance blossomed. They got married on May 4, 1953, less than a year after she was crowned the inaugural Ms. Universe. 

She was planning on taking up physical education and getting a language degree. She also wanted to star in movies, but she gave all of that up for Hilario. 

Hilario died in 1975 due to a heart attack. Kuusela got remarried to an American diplomat named Albert Williams on June 8, 1978, and she is currently living in San Diego, California. 

The 65th Miss Universe pageant will be held in the Philippines this coming January 30, 2017. This is the third time that the country will be hosting the prestigious pageant.

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