Chinese beauties in Miss Universe



Let’s meet my favorite Miss Universe contestants who have represented the ancestral homelands of the Chinese – Hong Kong, Republic of China and People’s Republic of China. Majority are of Han Chinese background while some are of mixed-race heritage, particularly in Hong Kong, due to its colonial history. For their national costumes, delegates usually wore the cheongsam (qipao), the traditional attire of Chinese women. Meanwhile, some delegates chose to depict Chinese opera performers or empress consorts, garbed in exquisite fabrics, jewelry and accessories.


Judy Dan (但茱迪) won the title of Miss Hong Kong 1952. She was born in Shanghai and comes from a family active in the film and entertainment industry; her father, Dan Duyu (但杜宇) is a film director while her mother, Yin Mingzhu (殷明珠), is an actress and production coordinator. Judy and her family eventually moved to Hong Kong and at the time of winning the title, she was working as an airline staff. Judy soon became Hong Kong's representative in the inaugural Miss Universe pageant in 1952, held in Long Beach, California. The stunning Chinese beauty became a favorite during the pageant and eventually finished as 3rd runner-up. After the pageant, Judy became a contract actress of Universal Pictures in Hollywood where she made appearances in various TV shows and films.

Judy Dan Miss Hong Kong 1952

Judy Dan as Miss Hong Kong in Miss Universe 1952 pageant

Judy Dan as Miss Hong Kong in Miss Universe 1952 pageant

Judy Dan as Miss Hong Kong in Miss Universe 1952 pageant

Judy Dan as Miss Hong Kong in Miss Universe 1952 pageant

Judy Dan as Miss Hong Kong in Miss Universe 1952 pageant

Judy Dan as Miss Hong Kong in Miss Universe 1952 pageant

Virginia June Lee (李慧珍) won the title of Miss Hong Kong 1954. At the time of winning the title, Virginia was working as a flight attendant and is fluent in English, Cantonese and Japanese. The stunning, mixed-race beauty soon represented Hong Kong in the Miss Universe 1954 pageant held in Long Beach, California. Noted for her Eurasian looks and voluptuous figure, Virginia became a favorite during the pageant and finished as 2nd runner-up. After the pageant, she became a contract actress of Universal Pictures in Hollywood.

Virginia Lee Miss Hong Kong 1954

Virginia Lee as Miss Hong Kong in Miss Universe 1954 pageant

Virginia Lee as Miss Hong Kong in Miss Universe 1954 pageant

Virginia Lee as Miss Hong Kong in Miss Universe 1954 pageant

Virginia Lee as Miss Hong Kong in Miss Universe 1954 pageant

Virginia Lee as Miss Hong Kong in Miss Universe 1954 pageant

Virginia Lee as Miss Hong Kong in Miss Universe 1954 pageant

Lona Yu (于儀) was one of the 3 winners of the Miss China 1964 pageant. It was her second attempt in the pageant as she previously finished as 2nd runner-up back in the Miss China 1962 pageant. Before winning the pageant, Lona was a student based in Taipei and was also a part-time staff in the nation's Ministry of National Defense. The stunning, porcelain-skinned beauty soon represented the Republic of China in the Miss Universe 1964 pageant, held in Miami, Florida. Noted for exotic looks and elegance, Lona became a favorite during the pageant finals, eventually finishing as 4th runner-up.

Lona Yu Miss China 1964

Lona Yu as Miss Republic of China in the Miss Universe 1964 pageant

Lona Yu as Miss Republic of China in the Miss Universe 1964 pageant

Lona Yu as Miss Republic of China in the Miss Universe 1964 pageant

Lona Yu as Miss Republic of China in the Miss Universe 1964 pageant

Lona Yu as Miss Republic of China in the Miss Universe 1964 pageant

Joy Drake (杜約克) won the title of Miss Hong Kong 1965. Born in Shanghai to an English father and a Chinese mother, she was working as an English literature teacher before winning her title. Fluent in Cantonese, English, French and Mandarin, she is also trained in Chinese boxing. She soon represented Hong Kong in the Miss Universe 1965 pageant held in Miami, Florida. Joy was eventually chosen as one of the candidates to perform a native dance during a segment of the pageant finals

Joy Drake Miss Hong Kong 1965

Joy Drake as Miss Hong Kong in the Miss Universe 1965 pageant

Joy Drake as Miss Hong Kong in the Miss Universe 1965 pageant

Joy Drake as Miss Hong Kong in the Miss Universe 1965 pageant

Joy Drake as Miss Hong Kong in the Miss Universe 1965 pageant

Laura Arminda da Costa Roque won the title of Miss Hong Kong Universe 1967. She was previously the 2nd runner-up to Joy Drake who won Miss Hong Kong 1965. Of Portuguese and Chinese ancestry, she soon became Hong Kong’s representative in the Miss Universe 1967 pageant held in Miami, Florida. She was a favorite in the pageant where she was among the Top 15 Best in Swimsuit and finished as a Top 15 Semi-finalist.

Laura Da Costa Roque Miss Hong Kong Universe 1967

Laura Da Costa Roque as Miss Hong Kong in the Miss Universe 1967 pageant

Laura Da Costa Roque as Miss Hong Kong in the Miss Universe 1967 pageant

Laura Da Costa Roque as Miss Hong Kong in the Miss Universe 1967 pageant

Laura Da Costa Roque as Miss Hong Kong in the Miss Universe 1967 pageant

Laura Da Costa Roque as Miss Hong Kong in the Miss Universe 1967 pageant

Laura Da Costa Roque as Miss Hong Kong in the Miss Universe 1967 pageant

Laura Da Costa Roque as Miss Hong Kong in the Miss Universe 1967 pageant

Mabel Hawkett (何秀汶) won the title of Miss Hong Kong Universe 1970. A beauty consultant at the time she won the title, she soon represented Hong Kong in Miss Universe 1970 pageant, where she participated in the Queen of Expo '70 in Osaka, Japan, and the actual Miss Universe pageant in Miami, Florida. With her stunning Eurasian looks and petite stature, she became a favorite during the pageant and was among the Top 15 Semi-finalists.

Mabel Hawkett Miss Hong Kong Universe 1970

Mabel Hawkett as Miss Hong Kong in the Queen of Expo '70

Mabel Hawkett as Miss Hong Kong in the Miss Universe 1970 pageant

Mabel Hawkett as Miss Hong Kong in the Miss Universe 1970 pageant

Mabel Hawkett as Miss Hong Kong in the Miss Universe 1970 pageant

Mabel Hawkett as Miss Hong Kong in the Miss Universe 1970 pageant

Pauline Yeung (楊寶玲) won the TVB Miss Hong Kong 1987 pageant. Before winning the title, she was working as a model and has previously worked in an overseas courier service company. Since winning the Miss Hong Kong title, Pauline has embarked on a career as an actress and host, appearing both in local TV and films. She soon represented Hong Kong in the Miss World 1987 pageant held in London, United Kingdom, and placed among the Top 12 semi-finalists. She again represented Hong Kong in the Miss Universe 1988 pageant held in Taipei, Taiwan (ROC). A favorite among the locals, Pauline eventually finished as 4th runner-up during the pageant. After the pageant, Pauline continued her acting career starring in various TV shows and films in Hong Kong.

Pauline Yeung Miss Hong Kong 1987

Pauline Yeung as Miss Hong Kong in the Miss World 1987 pageant

Pauline Yeung as Miss Hong Kong in the Miss World 1987 pageant

Pauline Yeung as Miss Hong Kong in the Miss World 1987 pageant

Pauline Yeung as Miss Hong Kong in the Miss World 1987 pageant

Pauline Yeung as Miss Hong Kong in the Miss Universe 1988 pageant

Pauline Yeung as Miss Hong Kong in the Miss Universe 1988 pageant

Pauline Yeung as Miss Hong Kong in the Miss Universe 1988 pageant

Pauline Yeung as Miss Hong Kong in the Miss Universe 1988 pageant

Pauline Yeung as Miss Hong Kong in the Miss Universe 1988 pageant

Pauline Yeung as Miss Hong Kong in the Miss Universe 1988 pageant

Monica Chan (陳法蓉) won the TVB Miss Hong Kong 1989 pageant. Before winning the title, she was a student majoring in fashion design and merchandising. Well known for her stylish short hairstyle, she soon began her career as an actress, appearing in various local TV shows. She soon represented Hong Kong in the Miss Universe 1990 pageant, held in Los Angeles, California. For her national costume, she represented the empress consort's attire of the Yuan dynasty. After her reign, Monica continued her acting career starring in various TV shows and major films in Hong Kong.

Monica Chan Miss Hong Kong 1989

Monica Chan as Miss Hong Kong in the Miss Universe 1990 pageant

Monica Chan as Miss Hong Kong in the Miss Universe 1990 pageant

Monica Chan as Miss Hong Kong in the Miss Universe 1990 pageant

Monica Chan as Miss Hong Kong in the Miss Universe 1990 pageant

Monica Chan as Miss Hong Kong in the Miss Universe 1990 pageant

Tzui-Pin Wen (溫翠蘋) finished 2nd place in the Miss China Universe 1989 pageant held in Keelung, Taiwan (ROC). Born and raised in Taipei, she was already working as a professional model at the time and began a career as a TV hostess. She's also multilingual, being fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese, English, Spanish and Japanese. Tzui-Pin was soon appointed to participate in the Miss Universe 1990 pageant held in Los Angeles, California. Competing as Miss Republic of China, the Taiwanese beauty was noted for her stunning looks and svelte figure, becoming a favorite during the pageant. For her national costume, she wore an attire inspired by the Yue Chinese opera. After the pageant, she began her acting career in both the Taiwanese and Hong Kong entertainment industry, and is also credited under the screen name Carol Wan.

Tzui-Pin Wen 2nd place in Miss China Universe 1989

Tzui-Pin Wen as Miss Republic of China in the Miss Universe 1990 pageant

Tzui-Pin Wen as Miss Republic of China in the Miss Universe 1990 pageant

Tzui-Pin Wen as Miss Republic of China in the Miss Universe 1990 pageant

Tzui-Pin Wen as Miss Republic of China in the Miss Universe 1990 pageant

Tzui-Pin Wen as Miss Republic of China in the Miss Universe 1990 pageant

Tzui-Pin Wen as Miss Republic of China in the Miss Universe 1990 pageant

Zhuo Ling (卓灵) won the title of Miss Universe China 2002. A dance graduate from Shanghai, Ling specializes in traditional Chinese dance while also being fluent in both Mandarin and English. She soon represented China in the Miss Universe 2002 pageant held in San Juan, Puerto Rico, becoming the first delegate from Mainland China (PRC) to compete in the pageant’s history. With her vivacious charm and elegance, the statuesque Chinese beauty became a favorite during the pageant finals, eventually finishing as 2nd runner-up.

Zhuo Ling Miss Universe China 2002

Zhuo Ling Miss Universe China 2002

Zhuo Ling Miss Universe China 2002

Zhuo Ling Miss Universe China 2002

Zhuo Ling Miss Universe China 2002

Zhuo Ling Miss Universe China 2002

Zhuo Ling Miss Universe China 2002

Zhuo Ling Miss Universe China 2002

Luo Zilin (罗紫琳) won the title of Miss Universe China 2011. Hailing from Shanghai, she was already working as a professional model before winning the national title. She soon represented China in the Miss Universe 2011 pageant held in Sao Paulo, Brazil. For her national costume, Zilin wore an elegant attire inspired by the Kun Chinese Opera. With her stunning looks and outstanding stage presence, the statuesque Chinese beauty became a favorite during the pageant and eventually finished as 4th runner-Up. Years after her reign, Zilin competed in the first season of a US modeling reality TV Show, The Face. During the show, she was under the mentorship of supermodel, Naomi Campbell, and eventually finished as runner-up.

中華民國小姐

Miss Republic of China


香港小姐

Miss Hong Kong


中国环球小姐

Miss Universe China


中国小姐

Miss China


Luo Zilin Miss Universe China 2011

Luo Zilin Miss Universe China 2011

Luo Zilin Miss Universe China 2011

Luo Zilin Miss Universe China 2011

Luo Zilin Miss Universe China 2011

Luo Zilin Miss Universe China 2011

Miss Universe China 2011 Zilin Luo, is the first delegate under Yue Sai Kan's leadership. Yue Sai Kan, who is an influential entrepreneur, author and media mogul in both China and the United States, took over as the national director of Miss Universe China pageant back in 2011. 

Under the Yue Sai Kan's leadership, Zilin, a professional model from Shanghai, travelled with her to the United States where received extensive training in English language, dance class, photo shoots and interview skills.

Their efforts paid off well as the towering beauty became a huge favorite to win the pageant and eventually finishing as 4th runner-up.

Luo Zilin Miss Universe China 2011

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