{{short description| 25th Miss Universe pageant}} {{Infobox beauty pageant | photo = Rina Messinger wearing Miss Universe crown.jpg | caption = Rina Messinger | winner = [[Rina Mor|Rina Messinger]] | represented = Israel | date = 11 July 1976{{efn|name=Hong Kong date|The event was held at 8:00 am [[Hong Kong Time]] ([[UTC+08:00]]); for the Americas, this was July 10 in their local times.}} | presenters = {{Hlist|[[Bob Barker]]|[[Helen O'Connell]]}} | acts = | venue = [[Lee Theatre]], Hong Kong | broadcaster = {{Hlist|[[CBS]] <small>(international)</small><br>[[TVB]] <small>(Host broadcaster)</small>}} | entrants = 72 | placements = 12 | debuts = {{Hlist|Barbados|Northern Mariana Islands|Papua New Guinea|Sint Maarten}} | withdraws = {{Hlist|Belize|Haiti|Jamaica|Lebanon|Micronesia|Morocco}} | returns = {{Hlist|Honduras|Norway|Suriname}} | congeniality = Margaret McFarlane (Trinidad and Tobago) | photogenic = Pauline Davies (England) | best national costume = Rocío Lazcano (Peru) | before = [[Miss Universe 1975|1975]] | next = [[Miss Universe 1977|1977]] }}

'''Miss Universe 1976''' was the 25th [[Miss Universe]] pageant, held at the [[Lee Theatre]] in [[British Hong Kong|Hong Kong]], on 11 July 1976{{efn|name=Hong Kong date}}.

At the conclusion of the event, [[Anne Marie Pohtamo]] of Finland crowned [[Rina Messinger]] of Israel as Miss Universe 1976. It is the first victory of Israel in the pageant's history.

Contestants from seventy-two countries and territories participated in this year's pageant. The pageant was hosted by [[Bob Barker]] in his tenth consecutive year, while Helen O'Connell provided commentary and analysis throughout the event.

== Background ==

=== Location and date === On 3 August 1971, the Miss Universe Organization and the Government Economic Development Administrator of Puerto Rico signed a contract to bring Miss Universe and Miss USA to San Juan from 1972 to 1976.<ref>{{Cite news |date=6 August 1971|title=PR gets Miss Universe contest for five years|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SyQwAAAAIBAJ&sjid=pkQDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2614%2C2960258|access-date=13 October 2025|work=The Virgin Islands Daily News|pages=1, 15|language=en|via=[[Google News Archive]]}}</ref> However, the Puerto Rican government canceled the agreement in February 1973 because, according to Puerto Rican government officials, the agreement was allegedly illegal.<ref name=":12">{{Cite news |date=17 February 1973|title=Pageant may move to Latin America|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ErxOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=260DAAAAIBAJ&pg=5963%2C4130653|access-date=12 October 2025|work=The Virgin Islands Daily News|pages=10|language=en|via=[[Google News Archive]]}}</ref>

The pageant's 25th anniversary was supposed to be held in Israel. However, it was announced on 15 January 1976, that the competition would no longer be held in Israel after the Israeli Ministry of Finance refused to allocate $300,000 to host the competition in the country.<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 January 1976|title=Israel has no funds to host the Miss Universe contest|language=en|pages=35|work=⁨⁨The Sentinel⁩|url=https://www.nli.org.il/en/newspapers/cgs/1976/01/15/01/article/83/?srpos=30&e=-------en-20--21--img-txIN%7ctxTI-Miss+Universe-------------1|access-date=29 November 2025|via=National Library of Israel}}</ref> According to then-Finance Minister [[Yehoshua Rabinovitz]], if competition for Israeli tourism and propaganda is good, the funds should come from the Tourism and Foreign Ministry budget.<ref>{{Cite news |date=23 January 1976|title=Israel won't host Miss Universe; pleads poverty|language=en|pages=4|work=⁨⁨B'nai B'rith Messenger⁩|url=https://www.nli.org.il/en/newspapers/bbh/1976/01/23/01/article/24/?srpos=23&e=-------en-20--21--img-txIN%7ctxTI-Miss+Universe-------------1|access-date=29 November 2025|via=National Library of Israel}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=16 January 1976|title=Money bumps Miss Universe|language=en|pages=8|work=The Jewish News of Northern California|url=https://www.nli.org.il/en/newspapers/jweekly/1976/01/16/article/51/?srpos=5&e=------197-en-20--1--img-txIN%7ctxTI-%22Miss+Universe%22----1976---------1|access-date=29 November 2025|via=National Library of Israel|archive-date=27 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227225141/https://www.nli.org.il/en/newspapers/jweekly/1976/01/16/article/51/?srpos=5&e=------197-en-20--1--img-txIN%7CtxTI-%22Miss+Universe%22----1976---------1|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On 6 February, Miss Universe Inc. president Harold Glasser announced that the 25th anniversary of the pageant would be held on 10 July in Hong Kong, and all money raised from tickets would go to the Hong Kong Community Chest.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LA9PAAAAIBAJ&dq=Miss+Universe+Hong+Kong+Community+Chest&pg=PA34|title=Off the grapevine|last=Wilson|first=Earl|date=11 February 1976|pages=34|access-date=29 November 2025|work=Toledo Blade|language=en|via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref>

=== Selection of participants === Contestants from seventy-two countries and territories were selected to compete in the pageant. Two candidates were selected to replace the original dethroned winner.

==== Replacements ==== Miss Venezuela 1976 first runner-up, Judith Castillo, was appointed to represent Venezuela after Miss Venezuela 1976, Elluz Peraza, resigned after four days to get married.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Suárez|first=Orlando|date=7 June 2022|title=70 momentos claves en la historia del Miss Venezuela|url=https://eldiario.com/2022/06/07/momentos-claves-miss-venezuela/|access-date=29 November 2025|website=El Diario|language=es|trans-title=70 key moments in the history of Miss Venezuela}}</ref> Miss Holland 1976 first runner-up, Nannetje Nielen, was appointed to represent her country after Miss Holland 1976, Lucie Visser, chose not to participate for undisclosed reasons.<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 May 1976|title=Miss Holland|language=nl|pages=3|work=Nieuwsblad van het Noorden|url=https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:011017548:mpeg21:p003|access-date=29 November 2025|via=Delpher}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=15 May 1976|title=Lucie Visser de nieuwe Miss Holland|language=nl|pages=5|work=Het Parool|url=https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ABCDDD:010840380:mpeg21:p005|access-date=29 November 2025|via=Delpher|trans-title=Lucie Visser the new Miss Holland}}</ref>

==== Debuts, returns, and, withdrawals ==== This edition saw the debuts of Barbados, the Northern Mariana Islands, Papua New Guinea, and Sint Maarten, and the returns of Norway which last competed in [[Miss Universe 1973|1973]]; and Honduras and Suriname which last competed in [[Miss Universe 1974|1974]].<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Gámez|first=Sabino|date=25 April 2008|title=El Miss Honduras, una historia que contar|url=https://www.laprensa.hn/espectaculos/el-miss-honduras-una-historia-que-contar-ATLP695720|access-date=29 November 2025|website=La Prensa|language=es-HN|trans-title=Miss Honduras, a story to tell}}</ref>

Janet Joan Joseph of Belize, Angela Ruddock of Jamaica, and Ramona Karam of Lebanon withdrew for undisclosed reasons.<ref>{{Cite news |date=13 May 1975|title=Jamaica to drop out of beauty contests|language=en|pages=5|work=The Virgin Islands Daily News|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NNgvAAAAIBAJ&sjid=oUQDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4320%2C1559380|access-date=29 November 2025|via=[[Google News Archive]]}}</ref> Haiti, Micronesia, and Morocco withdrew after their respective organizations failed to hold a national competition or appoint a delegate.

Cleopatra Sanders of Antigua and Irene Penn of the British Virgin Islands were supposed to participate in this edition, but were unable to do so for undisclosed reasons.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ahmed|first=Zarrin Tasnim|date=12 July 2021|title=Six contestants vie for Miss BVI crown|url=https://www.bvibeacon.com/six-contestants-vie-for-miss-bvi-crown/|access-date=29 November 2025|website=The BVI Beacon|language=en-US}}</ref> Amiot Moea of Tahiti was also supposed to participate, but withdrew from the competition after finding out that her mother fell ill.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barrais|first=Delphine|date=6 May 2021|title=Moea Amiot, Miss Tahiti 1975 : "C'était vraiment bon enfant !"|url=https://www.tahiti-infos.com/Moea-Amiot-Miss-Tahiti-1975-C-etait-vraiment-bon-enfant-_a200478.html|access-date=29 November 2025|website=Tahiti Infos|language=fr|trans-title=Moea Amiot, Miss Tahiti 1975: "It was really good-natured!"}}</ref>

==Results== [[File:Miss Universe 1976 Map.png|thumb|250px|Miss Universe 1976 participating countries and territories]]

===Placements=== {| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:95%;" |- ! Placement !! Contestant |- | Miss Universe 1976 | * {{flagu|Israel}} – [[Rina Mor|Rina Messinger]]<ref name="AP">{{cite news |title=Israeli Wins Miss Universe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/653284911 |access-date=24 August 2023 |work=[[The News and Observer]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |date=12 July 1976 |page=19 |language=en}}</ref> |- | 1st Runner-Up | * {{flagu|Venezuela|1954}} – Judith Castillo<ref name="AP"/> |- | 2nd Runner-Up | * {{flagu|Wales}} – [[Sian Adey-Jones]]<ref name="AP"/> |- | 3rd Runner-Up | * {{flagu|Scotland}} – Carol Grant<ref name=":6">{{Cite news |date=11 July 1976|title=Rina Messinger de Israel, elegida Miss Universo 1976|language=es|pages=6A|work=La Nacion|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=EkIfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=CdEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1005%2C12622408|access-date=29 November 2025|trans-title=Rina Messinger from Israel, elected Miss Universe 1976|via=[[Google News Archive]]}}</ref> |- | 4th Runner-Up | * {{flagu|Australia}} – Julie Ismay<ref name=":6" /> |- | Top 12<ref name=":6" /> | * {{flagu|Argentina}} – Lilian Noemí de Asti * {{flagu|Chile}} – Verónica Sommers * {{flagu|Colombia}} – María Reyes * {{flagu|Netherlands Antilles|name=Curaçao}} – Anneke Dijkhuizen * {{flagu|England}} – Pauline Davies * {{flagu|British Hong Kong|name=Hong Kong}} – Rowena Lam * {{flagu|Norway}} – Bente Lihaug |}

=== Special awards === {| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:95%;" |- ! Award ! Contestant |- | Miss Photogenic | * {{flag|England}} – Pauline Davies<ref name=":02">{{Cite news |date=8 July 1976|title=Miss England wins 'photogenic' award|language=en|pages=14|work=The Canberra Times|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/110816452?searchTerm=Miss%20Universe|access-date=29 November 2025|via=Trove}}</ref> |- |Miss Congeniality | * {{flag|Trinidad and Tobago}} – Margaret McFarlane<ref>{{Cite news |date=12 July 1976|title=Medidas perfectas... de seguridad|language=es|pages=1D|work=El Tiempo|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8nQbAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6FAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=897%2C2788465|access-date=29 November 2025|trans-title=Perfect security measures|via=[[Google News Archive]]}}</ref> |- |Best National Costume | * {{flag|Peru|1902}} – Rocío Lazcano<ref name=":02" /> |}

== Pageant ==

=== Format === Same with [[Miss Universe 1971|1971]], twelve semi-finalists were chosen at the preliminary competition that consists of the swimsuit and evening gown competition. The twelve semi-finalists participated in the casual interview, swimsuit, and evening gown competitions. From twelve, five finalists were shortlisted to advance to the final interview.<ref name=":6" />

=== Selection committee ===

* [[Henri, Count of Paris (born 1933)|Henri, Count of Paris]] – French noble * [[Margareta Arvidsson]] – [[Miss Universe 1966]] from Sweden<ref name=":7">{{Cite news |date=8 July 1976|title=We get a new Miss Universe|language=en|pages=3|work=The Age|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8fFUAAAAIBAJ&dq=%22Florinda+Bolkan%22+%22Miss+Universe%22&pg=PA16&article_id=6280,1805371|access-date=29 November 2025|via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref> * [[Florinda Bolkan]] – Brazilian actress and model<ref name=":7" /> * [[Britt Ekland]] – Swedish actress<ref name=":7" /> * [[Margot Fonteyn|Dame Margot Fonteyn]] – English prima ballerina<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=10 July 1976|title=Dificil eleccion de Miss Universo|language=es|pages=6B|work=El Tiempo|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8XQbAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6FAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=910%2C2141678|access-date=29 November 2025|trans-title=Difficult choice of Miss Universe|via=[[Google News Archive]]}}</ref> * [[Aldo Gucci]] – Italian fashion designer and businessman<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Wood|first=Chris|date=2 July 2017|title=From the archives: the 1976 Miss Universe contest in Hong Kong|url=https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/short-reads/article/2100582/when-bevy-beauties-descended-hong-kong-1976-miss|access-date=29 November 2025|website=[[South China Morning Post]]|language=en}}</ref> * [[Dong Kingman]] – Chinese-American painter<ref name=":7" /> * [[David Newbigging]] – Hong Kong politician, chairman of [[Jardines (company)|Jardine Matheson]]<ref name=":7" /> * [[Roman Polanski]] – Polish-French filmmaker<ref name=":2" /> * [[Run Run Shaw]] – Hong Kong entertainment mogul and philanthropist<ref name=":7" /> * [[Fred Williamson]] – American football player and actor<ref name=":7" />

==Contestants== Seventy-two contestants competed for the title. {| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 95%" !Country/Territory !Contestant !Age{{efn|Ages at the time of the pageant|name=A}} !Hometown |- |{{ASM}} |Taliilani Letuli<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=10 July 1976 |title=Hong Kong Is Agog Over Beauty Pageant |language=en-US |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1976/07/10/archives/hong-kong-is-agog-over-beauty-pageant.html |access-date=26 August 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> |22 |[[Pago Pago, American Samoa|Pago Pago]] |- |{{flag|Argentina}} |Lilian Noemí De Asti<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|date=9 July 1976|title=Kissinger, el personaje preferido|language=es|pages=3B|work=El Tiempo|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8HQbAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6FAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=848%2C1881743|access-date=26 August 2023|trans-title=Kissinger, the favorite character|via=[[Google News Archive]]}}</ref> |19 |[[Buenos Aires]] |- |{{flag|Netherlands Antilles|1959|name=Aruba}} |Cynthia Bruin<ref>{{Cite news|date=11 June 1976|title=Cynthia Bruin naar Hong Kong|language=nl|trans-title=Cynthia Bruin to Hong Kong|pages=5|work=Amigoe di Curacao|url=https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:010460284:mpeg21:p005|access-date=21 October 2025|via=Delpher}}</ref> |19 |[[Oranjestad, Aruba|Oranjestad]] |- |{{AUS}} |Julie Ismay<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 September 1975|title=Victorian wins title of Australia's Dream Girl|language=en|pages=1|work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/19719923/the-sydney-morning-herald/|access-date=29 November 2025|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> |24 |[[Sydney]] |- |{{AUT}} |Heidi-Marie Passian<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 July 1976|title=El sostén 'divide' a candidatas|language=es|pages=3B|work=El Tiempo|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8HQbAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6FAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2524%2C1880169|access-date=29 November 2025|trans-title=The bra 'divides' candidates|via=[[Google News Archive]]}}</ref> |19 |[[Lilienfeld]] |- |{{BHS}} |Sharon Smith<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 October 1975|title=Bahamas beauty bids for Miss Universe crown|language=en|pages=26–30|work=Jet|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZEIDAAAAMBAJ&dq=sonia+chipman+miss+bahamas&pg=PA26|access-date=29 November 2025|via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref> |19 |[[Nassau, The Bahamas|Nassau]] |- |{{BRB}} |Jewell Nightingale<ref name=":4">{{Cite news|date=29 June 1976|title=Bellas bajo el sol|language=es|pages=1|work=La Nacion|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CEIfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=CdEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4787%2C7518944|access-date=21 October 2025|via=[[Google News Archive]]}}</ref> |22 |[[Saint Michael, Barbados|Saint Michael]] |- |{{BEL}} |Yvette Aelbrecht<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 January 2010|title=Erelijst Miss België|url=https://www.demorgen.be/tv-cultuur/erelijst-miss-belgie~b5723d4d/|access-date=11 October 2025|website=De Morgen|language=nl-NL}}</ref> |18 |[[Brussels]] |- |{{BMU}} |Vivienne Hollis<ref>{{Cite news|date=1 July 1976|title=It's time for a bat...|language=en|pages=6|work=New Nation|url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Page/newnation19760701-1.1.6|access-date=21 October 2025|via=National Library Board}}</ref> |19 |[[Smith's Parish]] |- |{{BOL}} |Carolina Aramayo<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 July 2017|title=El título les dio alegrías, trabajo y fama que aún saborean|url=https://eldeber.com.bo/sociales/el-titulo-les-dio-alegrias-trabajo-y-fama-que-aun-saborean_32650|access-date=29 November 2025|website=El Deber|language=es-ES|archive-date=23 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231023090330/https://eldeber.com.bo/sociales/el-titulo-les-dio-alegrias-trabajo-y-fama-que-aun-saborean_32650|url-status=dead}}</ref> |17 |[[La Paz]] |- |{{flag|Brazil|1968}} |Katia Moretto<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 January 2019|title=Kátia Moretto: a eterna Miss Brasil|url=https://www.jornalcruzeiro.com.br/sem-categoria/katia-moretto-a-eterna-miss-brasil/index.html|access-date=29 November 2025|website=Cruzeiro do Sul|language=pt-br|trans-title=Kátia Moretto: the eternal Miss Brazil}}</ref> |18 |[[Sorocaba]] |- |{{CAN}} |Normande Jacques<ref>{{Cite news|date=20 August 1975|title=Miss Dominion at fair|language=en|pages=2|work=The Sun and the Erie County Independent|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/116422465/the-sun-and-the-erie-county-independent/|access-date=21 October 2025|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> |22 |[[Blind River, Ontario|Blind River]] |- |{{CHL}} |Verónica Sommer<ref>{{Cite web |last=|date=5 March 2021|title=Candidato peruano rechaza su origen chileno y venezolano, pero no el alemán|url=https://cooperativa.cl/noticias/mundo/peru/elecciones/candidato-peruano-rechaza-su-origen-chileno-y-venezolano-pero-no-el/2021-03-05/201130.html|access-date=29 November 2025|website=Radio Cooperativa|language=es|trans-title=Peruvian candidate rejects his Chilean and Venezuelan origins, but not his German ones}}</ref> |21 |[[Valdivia]] |- |{{COL}} |María Helena Reyes<ref>{{Cite news|date=12 November 1975|title=Primera reina bogotana|language=es|pages=1A, 1C, 1D–3D|work=El Tiempo|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=taAqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ZmMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1501%2C992268|access-date=21 October 2025|via=[[Google News Archive]]}}</ref> |20 |[[Bogotá]] |- |{{flag|Costa Rica|state}} |Silvia Jiménez<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 July 1976|title=Hong Kong|language=es|pages=20A|work=La Nacion|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=C0IfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=CdEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2942%2C9679066|access-date=29 November 2025|via=[[Google News Archive]]}}</ref> |21 |[[San José, Costa Rica|San José]] |- |{{flag|Netherlands Antilles|1959|name=Curaçao}} |Anneke Dijkhuizen<ref>{{Cite news|date=8 June 1976|title=Anneke Dijkhuizen Miss Curaçao 1976|language=nl|pages=3|work=Amigoe di Curacao|url=https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:010460281:mpeg21:p003|access-date=21 October 2025|via=Delpher}}</ref> |18 |[[Willemstad]] |- |{{DNK}} |Brigitte Trolle<ref>{{Cite news |date=6 July 1976|title=Winning smiles|language=en|pages=23|work=Tallahassee Democrat|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10862972/tallahassee-democrat/|access-date=29 November 2025|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> |19 |[[Copenhagen]] |- |{{DOM}} |Norma Lora<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 July 1976|title=Hong Kong|language=es|pages=17A|work=La Nacion|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CUIfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=CdEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3812%2C8509588|access-date=29 November 2025|via=[[Google News Archive]]}}</ref> |23 |[[Santo Domingo]] |- |{{Flag|Ecuador|1900}} |Gilda Plaza<ref name=":3" /> |21 |[[Guayaquil]] |- |{{SLV}} |Mireya Calderón<ref>{{Cite news |date=10 July 1976|title=Hong Kong|language=es|pages=17A|work=La Nacion|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=EUIfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=CdEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6966%2C12272745|access-date=29 November 2025|via=[[Google News Archive]]}}</ref> |19 |[[San Salvador]] |- |{{ENG}} |Pauline Davies<ref name=":13">{{Cite news |date=25 May 1976|title=The best of British!|language=en|pages=7|work=Evening Standard|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110282874/miss-universe-1976/|access-date=29 November 2025|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> |22 |[[Manchester]] |- |{{FIN}} |Suvi Lukkarinen<ref>{{Cite news|date=19 May 1976|title=Prettiest girl in Finland|language=en|pages=6|work=New Nation|url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Page/newnation19760519-1.1.6|access-date=21 October 2025|via=National Library Board}}</ref> |22 |[[Helsinki]] |- |{{flag|France|1974}} |Monique Uldaric<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 December 2016|title=Monique Uldaric est la première réunionnaise à être élue Miss France|url=https://imazpress.com/actus-reunion/video-1975-monique-uldaric-est-la-premiere-reunionnaise-a-etre-elue-miss-france|access-date=29 November 2025|website=Imaz Press Réunion|language=fr-FR|trans-title=Monique Uldaric is the first woman from Réunion to be elected Miss France}}</ref> |22 |[[Saint-Pierre, Réunion|Saint-Pierre]] |- |{{flag|Greece|old}} |Melina Michailidou |18 |[[Athens]] |- |{{GUM}} |Pilar Laguana<ref name=":3" /> |19 |[[Hagåtña, Guam|Hagåtña]] |- |{{flag|Guatemala}} |Blanca Montenegro<ref name=":3" /> |20 |[[Guatemala City]] |- |{{flag|Holland}} |Nannetje Nielen<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Basu |first=Soma |date=15 February 2017 |title=40 years ago as competitors on stage for the Ms.Universe pageant, their looks mattered. Now their bonding and inner beauty does. |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/Jab-they-Met/article17306988.ece |access-date=25 August 2023 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> |18 |[[Amsterdam]] |- |{{flag|Honduras|1949}} |Victoria Pineda<ref name=":8" /> |22 |[[San Pedro Sula]] |- |{{flag|British Hong Kong|name=Hong Kong}} |Rowena Lam<ref>{{Cite news |date=10 September 1976|title=Beauty queen who made it by accident|language=en|pages=16|work=[[The Straits Times]]|url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19760910-1.2.84|access-date=29 November 2025|via=National Library Board}}</ref> |18 |Hong Kong |- |{{ISL}} |Gudmunda Johannesdottir<ref>{{Cite news|date=5 April 1976|title=HLAKKA TIL OG KVIÐI|language=is|pages=3|work=Vísir|url=https://timarit.is/page/3351431?iabr=on|access-date=21 October 2025|via=Tímarit.is}}</ref> |19 |[[Reykjavík]] |- |{{IND}} |[[Naina Balsaver]]<ref name=":0" /> |18 |[[Mumbai|Bombay]] |- |{{IDN}} |[[Juliarti Rahayu Gunawan]]<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 June 1976|title=All smiles before the contest|language=en|pages=6|work=New Nation|url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Page/newnation19760630-1.1.6|access-date=29 November 2025|via=National Library Board}}</ref> |22 |[[Jakarta]] |- |{{IRL}} |Elaine O'Hora<ref name=":0" /> |20 |[[Rathfarnham]] |- |{{ISR}} |[[Rina Mor|Rina Messinger]]<ref>{{Cite news|date=15 July 1976|title=Miss Israel, now Miss Universe|language=en|pages=1|work=The Australian Jewish Times|url=https://www.nli.org.il/en/newspapers/austjewishtimes/1976/07/15/01/article/3/?srpos=1&e=------197-en-20--1--img-txIN%7ctxTI-%22Miss+Israel%22----1976---------1|access-date=21 October 2025|via=National Library of Israel|archive-date=20 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120020306/https://www.nli.org.il/en/newspapers/austjewishtimes/1976/07/15/01/article/3/?srpos=1&e=------197-en-20--1--img-txIN%7CtxTI-%22Miss+Israel%22----1976---------1|url-status=dead}}</ref> |20 |[[Haifa]] |- |{{ITA}} |Diana Scapolan<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 July 1976|title=Hong Kong|language=es|pages=18A|work=La Nacion|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CkIfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=CdEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3360%2C9313895|access-date=29 November 2025|via=[[Google News Archive]]}}</ref> |21 |[[Milan]] |- |{{flag|Japan|1870}} |Miyako Iwakuni |19 |[[Osaka]] |- |{{LBR}} |Laurine Johnson |19 |[[Monrovia]] |- |{{LUX}} |Monique Wilmes<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 July 1976|title=Hong Kong|language=es|pages=3B|work=El Tiempo|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8HQbAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6FAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=657%2C1878089|access-date=29 November 2025|via=[[Google News Archive]]}}</ref> |19 |[[Echternach]] |- |{{MYS}} |[[Faridah Norizan]] |19 |[[Ipoh]] |- |{{MLT}} |Mary Grace Ciantar<ref name=":3" /> |19 |[[Kalkara]] |- |{{MUS}} |Marielle Tse-Sik-Sun<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 December 2018|title=Beauty Pageants: deux Rodriguaises à l'honneur|url=https://lexpress.mu/article/344161/beauty-pageants-deux-rodriguaises-lhonneur|access-date=29 November 2025|website=L'Express|language=fr|trans-title=Beauty Pageants: Two women from Rodrigues in the spotlight}}</ref> |23 |[[Port Louis]] |- |{{MEX}} |Carla Jean Evert<ref>{{Cite web |last=Martin|first=E.|date=27 November 2013|title=Conmoción por muerte de Miss México Carla Jean Evert|url=http://es-us.noticias.yahoo.com/blogs/mas-alla-de-la-corona/conmoci%C3%B3n-por-muerte-de-miss-m%C3%A9xico-carla-jean-evert-052635471.html|access-date=29 November 2025|website=Yahoo! Noticias|language=es-US|trans-title=Shock over the death of Miss Mexico Carla Jean Evert}}</ref> |17 |[[Acapulco]] |- |{{NZL}} |Janey Kingscote<ref>{{cite news |title=Skier choice of N.Z. model |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/press/1976/07/02/9 |work=[[The Press]] |page=9 |access-date=28 January 2026 |date=2 July 1976 |location=[[Christchurch]], New Zealand |via=[[National Library of New Zealand#Papers Past|Papers Past]]}}</ref> |22 |[[Christchurch]] |- |{{NIC}} |Ivania Navarro<ref name=":0" /> |19 |[[Matagalpa]] |- |{{MNP}} |Candelaria Borja |26 |[[Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands|Saipan]] |- |{{NOR}} |Bente Lihaug<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gNk0AAAAIBAJ&dq=%22Bente+Lihaug%22&pg=PA4|title=Winning smiles|date=9 July 1976|pages=4|access-date=29 November 2025|work=The Deseret News|language=en|via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref> |21 |[[Oslo]] |- |{{PAN}} |Carolina Chiari<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 January 2015|title=Estas son las panameñas que participaron de Miss Universo|url=https://www.telemetro.com/noticias/2015/01/07/panamenas-participaron-miss-universo/1656598.html|access-date=29 November 2025|website=Telemetro|language=es-PA|trans-title=These are the Panamanian women who participated in Miss Universe}}</ref> |18 |[[Panama City]] |- |{{PNG}} |Eva Regina Arni<ref>{{Cite news|date=26 May 1975|title=Black Eva scores a beauty 'first'|language=en|pages=2|work=[[The Straits Times]]|url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19750526-1.2.17.2|access-date=21 October 2025|via=National Library Board}}</ref> |21 |[[Port Moresby]] |- |{{flag|Paraguay|1954}} |Nidia Fátima Cárdenas<ref>{{Cite web|last=Coronel|first=Raul|date=15 October 2021|title=Te presentamos a todas nuestras representantes en Miss Universe|url=http://www.epa.com.py/2021/10/15/te-presentamos-a-todas-nuestras-representantes-en-miss-universe/|access-date=15 October 2025|website=Epa!|language=es|archive-date=3 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211203234725/http://www.epa.com.py/2021/10/15/te-presentamos-a-todas-nuestras-representantes-en-miss-universe/|url-status=dead}}</ref> |20 |[[Asunción]] |- |{{flag|Peru|1902}} |Rocío Lazcano<ref name=":03">{{Cite web |last=|first=|date=12 November 2017|title=Miss Perú: las peruanas más bellas de las últimas décadas|url=https://elcomercio.pe/tvmas/farandula/miss-peru-peruanas-bellas-ultimas-decadas-noticia-473145-noticia/|access-date=29 November 2025|website=[[El Comercio Perú]]|language=es|trans-title=Miss Peru: The most beautiful Peruvian women of recent decades}}</ref> |20 |[[Lima]] |- |{{flag|Philippines|1936}} |Elizabeth de Padua<ref>{{Cite web|last=Marangos|first=Jennifer|date=26 January 2016|title=Accidental beauty contestant: Dr. Lizbeth de Padua was Miss Philippines 40 years ago|url=https://www.mcall.com/health/mc-lizbeth-de-padua-doctor-philippines-20160125-story.html|access-date=21 October 2025|website=The Morning Call|language=en}}</ref> |20 |[[Los Baños, Laguna|Los Baños]] |- |{{Flag|Puerto Rico|1952}} |Elizabeth Zayas<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 September 1992|title=Puerto Rican Politician Cleared of Scuffle with Beauty Queen|url=https://apnews.com/article/984e59891e12d4f5785e8d67bc426b18|access-date=29 November 2025|website=AP News|language=en}}</ref> |17 |[[Salinas, Puerto Rico|Salinas]] |- |{{SCT}} |Carol Jean Grant<ref name=":13" /> |19 |[[Glasgow]] |- |{{SGP}} |Linda Tham<ref>{{Cite news |last=Koh|first=Nancy|date=22 May 1976|title=Ma, I've won!|language=en|pages=1|work=New Nation|url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/newnation19760522-1.2.2|access-date=29 November 2025|via=National Library Board}}</ref> |19 |Singapore |- |{{flag|Netherlands Antilles|1959|name=Sint Maarten}} |Angela Huggins<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 May 1976|title=Miss S.M. gekozen|language=nl|trans-title=Miss S.M. elected|pages=2|work=Amigoe di Curacao|url=https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:010460289:mpeg21:p002|access-date=29 November 2025|via=Delpher}}</ref> |18 |[[Philipsburg, Sint Maarten|Philipsburg]] |- |{{flag|South Africa|1928}} |Cynthia Classen<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 November 1976|title=Focus on people|language=en|pages=6|work=Edmonton Journal|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Bj1mAAAAIBAJ&dq=%22Cynthia+Classen%22&pg=PA6&article_id=3553,2082458|access-date=29 November 2025|via=Google Books}}</ref> |18 |[[Cape Town]] |- |{{flag|South Korea|1948}} |Kwang-hyun Chung |19 |[[Seoul]] |- |{{flag|Spain|1945}} |Olga Fernández<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 August 2018|title=Olga Fernández Pérez: "Cuando murió Franco me obligaron a dejar Miss Mundo"|url=https://www.farodevigo.es/o-morrazo/2018/08/22/olga-fernandez-perez-murio-franco-15918268.html|access-date=29 November 2025|website=Faro de Vigo|language=es|trans-title=Olga Fernández Pérez: "Cuando murió Franco me obligaron a dejar Miss Mundo"}}</ref> |18 |[[Pontevedra]] |- |{{LKA}} |Genevieve Parsons |22 |[[Colombo]] |- |{{flag|Suriname}} |Peggy Vandeleuv<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 June 1976|title=Hong Kong|language=es|pages=30A|work=La Nacion|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CEIfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=CdEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=837%2C7682252|access-date=29 November 2025|via=[[Google News Archive]]}}</ref> |18 |[[Paramaribo]] |- |{{SWE}} |Caroline Westerberg<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZrVMAAAAIBAJ&dq=Caroline+Westerberg&pg=PA14|title=Beauties stroll in Hong Kong|date=30 June 1976|pages=14|access-date=29 November 2025|work=Rome News-Tribune|via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref> |18 |[[Tierp]] |- |{{CHE}} |Isabelle Fischbacher<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZHMjAAAAIBAJ&dq=Isabelle+Fischbacher&pg=PA6|title=Finnish model named "Miss Europe"|date=7 June 1976|pages=6|access-date=29 November 2025|work=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|via=[[Google News Archive]]}}</ref> |18 |[[Vevey]] |- |{{THA}} |Katareeya Areekul<ref>{{Cite news |date=24 June 1976|title=Cup for Miss Thailand|language=en|pages=3|work=[[The Straits Times]]|url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19760624-1.2.16.5|access-date=29 November 2025|via=National Library Board}}</ref> |22 |[[Bangkok]] |- |{{TTO}} |Margaret McFarlane<ref name=":4" /> |19 |[[Couva]] |- |{{TUR}} |[[Manolya Onur]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shrivastava|first=Namita A.|date=19 March 2006|title=Princess diaries|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/hyderabad-times/princess-diaries/articleshow/1455717.cms|access-date=29 November 2025|website=[[The Times of India]]|language=en}}</ref> |20 |[[Istanbul]] |- |{{USA}} |[[Barbara Peterson]]<ref name="Times">{{cite news |date=May 17, 1976 |title=It's All a Dream World for the New Miss U.S.A. |language=en |page=9 |work=[[The Kansas City Times]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/676972793/ |access-date=25 July 2023}}</ref> |22 |[[Edina, Minnesota|Edina]] |- |{{flag|United States Virgin Islands}} |Lorraine Baa<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shimel|first=Judi|date=2 November 2021|title=Friends and Family Reflect on Lorraine Baa's Life and Legacy|url=https://stthomassource.com/content/2021/11/02/friends-and-family-reflect-on-lorraine-baas-life-and-legacy/|access-date=29 November 2025|website=St. Thomas Source|language=en-US}}</ref> |23 |[[Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands|Saint Thomas]] |- |{{URY}} |Leila Viñas |22 |[[Montevideo]] |- |{{flag|Venezuela|1954}} |[[Judith Castillo]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 November 2022|title=La indirecta de Judith Castillo a las participantes del Miss Venezuela 2022|url=https://revistaronda.net/la-indirecta-de-judith-castillo-a-las-participantes-del-miss-venezuela-2022/|access-date=29 November 2025|website=Revista Ronda|language=es|archive-date=18 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230118010801/https://revistaronda.net/la-indirecta-de-judith-castillo-a-las-participantes-del-miss-venezuela-2022/|url-status=dead|trans-title=Judith Castillo's subtle message to the Miss Venezuela 2022 contestants}}</ref> |18 |[[Caracas]] |- |{{WLS}} |[[Sian Adey-Jones]]<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|date=25 May 1976|title=The best of British!|language=en|pages=7|work=Evening Standard|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110282874/miss-universe-1976/|access-date=21 October 2025|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> |18 |[[Bodfari]] |- |{{flag|West Germany}} |Birgit Hamer<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barber|first=Tony|date=16 September 2006|title=Italian 'prince' is recorded boasting of killing|url=https://www.ft.com/content/84749a8e-44d5-11db-b804-0000779e2340|access-date=29 November 2025|website=Financial Times|language=en}}</ref> |19 |[[Saxony-Anhalt]] |- |{{YUG}} |Svetlana Radojčić |18 |[[Belgrade]] |}

==Notes== {{notelist}}

== References == {{reflist}}

==External links== * [http://www.missuniverse.com Miss Universe official website]

{{Miss Universe}} {{Miss Universe 1976 delegates}}

[[Category:Miss Universe by year|1976]] [[Category:1976 in Hong Kong]] [[Category:1976 beauty pageants]] [[Category:Beauty pageants in Hong Kong]] [[Category:July 1976 in Asia]]