Maritza Sayalero

Maritza Sayalero (born Maritza Sayalero Fernández on February 16, 1961 in Caracas) was a Miss Venezuela in 1979 and became that country's first Miss Universe that same year. She is married to Mexican tennis player Raúl Ramírez with whom she has lived in Mexico since 1981.

1979 Miss Universe Pageant

The Miss Universe 1979 pageant and awards ceremony was held in Perth, Australia on July 19.

When she won the Miss Venezuela 1979 title, her second runner-up Maria Fernanda Ramirez refused to acknowledge the results; her family then attacked the jury, with her mother and brother physically accosting the judges.

Sayalero recovered enough of her legendary poise to take the Miss Universe title in Australia, but immediately after the live telecast ended the stage collapsed as too many journalists and photographers stormed to get a photograph of the new queen. She managed to save another contestant from falling into the gaping hole left in the middle of the set, although several unfortunate women including Miss Turkey and Miss Brazil were injured.

Legacy

Her victory began a national interest in beauty that has resulted in the Miss Venezuela pageant becoming one of the most competitive and legendary beauty contests in the world.

Her name has become synonymous with beauty among Spanish language speakers, not only in Venezuela. In the 1980s, many girls were named Maritza, especially if the family name was the not uncommon Fernandez.

At least one ship was named in her honour, Maritza Sayalero.

Life after 1979-80

Marytza Sayalero is married to Mexican tennis player Raúl Ramírez. She now lives in Ensenada, Baja California where for years she owned a boutique where she sold her own designs. The couple has three children: Rebeca (born 1982), Raúl Alán (born 1984) and Daniel Francisco (1989).

External links

• Miss Universe official history - including photograph
• 1970s Miss Universe winners - including photograph
• BellezaVenezolana.net