Miss World Of 1958 – Penelope Anne Coelen

Date of birth: April 15, 1940
Place of birth: Durban, South Africa
Profession: Actress and model

Penelope Anne Coelen, or Penny to her friends and fans, was elected Miss World and was the first major international titleholder to come from Africa. The 18-year-old secretary from Durban enraptured the audience with her poise and beauty. She gained widespread international attention during her reign and received several lucrative modelling offers. After her reign as Miss World 1958, she tried her luck out in Hollywood with the help of James Garner, but failed her screen test. She later managed her own line of clothing and endorsed beauty products, particularly perfumes.

She appeared as a contestant on the television game show To Tell the Truth on 25 November 1958.

Later she returned to South Africa, married wealthy sugar cane farmer Michel Rey from the Natal Province and she remains today a prominent socialite in South Africa. She runs a guesthouse and has five sons and five grandchildren from one son.

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List of All Miss World Winners

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