I have a feeling I might win. I saw the crown of beauty in my dream.
Antigone Costanda, Miss World 1954
Beauty pageants were neither unheard-of nor uncommon in Egypt. Local pageants were being held there since the late 1920s and Egyptian beauties have been making a mark internationally ever since. The first prominent international beauty queen from Egypt was Charlotte Wassef who won the Miss Universe 1935 title in Brussels (a European pageant separate from the American Pageant of Pulchritude).
It wouldn’t be until 19 years later that Egypt would again be on the world map of beauty, thanks to the enchanting charm of Antigone Costanda. Her Miss World 1954 victory in London would make her the first Egyptian and representative of an African nation to win a major beauty pageant of modern time.
Antigone
Born on 13th November 1932, Antigone Costanda belonged to an old Greek family that had migrated from Anatolia to Egypt. She grew up in the village of Kefrüddavvar near Alexandria with her parents, Barba and Marika Costanda, and a younger sister Dora.
Her father owned a busy grocery store in the village. He was very attached to Antigone as she had been running the house since his mother’s demise. Her family later moved to a house in Camp Caesar (Camp Shezar) near Alexandria, but the father would often stay back in the village to run the store.
She began to love city life at the age of fifteen. Around that time she met her fiancé Edward Salmona, a 19-year-old onion merchant, in an Alexandria skating rink. It was reportedly love at first sight. They wanted to marry right away, but the families intervened. Antigone’s parents were Greek Orthodox and Eddie’s were Jewish. Undaunted, the lovers announced their engagement.
Antigone started working as a model for a large women’s boutique store in Alexandria. She believed she owed her body and beauty to the regular exercise she did in the morning and never put cream, powder, and lipstick on her face.
For years, she had been doing all the carpentry work of her house and her father’s shop. She also made picture frames, cigarette cases, and even small furniture. Her desire at that time was to become a famous movie star.
She enjoyed poetry and painting, and also loved to play accordion and piano. She never missed the concerts as she loved classical music and was particularly fond of the pianist Stanley Black. Traveling outdoors and always being cheerful brought her great joy. In her own words- “I don’t mind a lot of annoying things!”
Miss Egypt 1953
In February 1953, while working as a fashion model in Cairo, Antigone, 20-year-old at that time, decided to participate in the Beauty Queen of Egypt pageant. French impresario Roland Bertin organized the contest. Antigone won the pageant against 26 other contestants in a huge club in Cairo.
Interestingly none of the contestants were of Egyptian origin. They were either Greek or Italian. Special guests at the event were Eva Hellas (Miss Finland 1952 and third runner-up at Miss World 1952) and Balbina Lefloch (Miss South America).
Second place went to Marina Papaelia (Mayna Bablya) and Alla D’Accolt was third. Antigone received a cash award, a free trip to Europe, and a few other prizes.
Due to the lack of sponsorship, she was unable to go to London to compete at the Miss World. Instead, Marina Papaelia, who was modeling in Paris, was sent to London. There she introduced herself as Miss Egypt 1953.
Antigone, who was unaware of this decision by the organizers, heard about it after the results of the Miss World final were published. Furious with such betrayal she demanded that Mr. Bertin’s agency should state publicly in Egypt and abroad that the girl who appeared in London was only a runner-up.
Mr. Bertin refused by saying, “Antigone did not follow up the invitation to go to London, and the runner-up Marina was asked to go instead. Neither our agency nor the organizers of the London contest could be held responsible for her failure to go to London.”
Antigone sued the agency and the “fake” beauty Marina for damages and eventually won.
Miss Egypt 1954
In 1954, Antigone again tried her luck in the Beauty Queen of Egypt pageant. The final was held on 7th February 1954. This time the pageant moved from Cairo to the most luxurious casino in Alexandria.
After the first elimination, 15 girls were left. They were surrounded by their family and friends who were trying to fix their ornaments and evening gowns. The girls wore stylish and decollete dresses of all kinds and colors. For the next round, they paraded in front of the jury that included the head of the delegation, M. Pier Clod, and Miss France 1951.
A journalist asked the French beauty of 1951: “Beauty law requires girls who participate in beauty contests to wear swimsuits, not gowns. As you know, gowns do not allow determining the desired measurements in a beauty.” A smile appeared on the coral lips of the French beauty: “Why not? Beauty is not just that and beauty does not hide. But of course, they will be seen in a swimsuit.”
Meanwhile, M. Clod was asking questions to each contestant one by one to learn their personality. Five young girls were left for the final. All five were equally beautiful but only three could be chosen. The jury and the five finalists moved into another hall. It was necessary to look at the body size of the beauties in swimsuits.
The French beauty took the measuring tape from the jury and began to measure the bodies of five beauties waiting in excitement. And by the great majority in the morning, Antigone was declared as the winner of Miss Egypt 1954.
Since the Egyptian Tourism Department had subsidized the entry for the winner in the international competition that year, it meant Antigone had secured her right to represent Egypt in the Miss World 1954 competition.
The Miss Egypt title brought various modeling offers, which made Antigone move to an apartment in Cairo, located at the crossroads of Khedive Ismailia, facing a huge Arab bazaar. There she lived with her father and grandmother and shared her room with her close friend, Miss Egypt 1951, Marguerite Alessendrella.
That year the American film director and producer Gregory Ratoff was directing an English comedy movie set in Egypt called King of Playing Cards (released later as Abdulla the Great) based on the life of King Farouk. He needed a French actress to play the role of a young girl who was King’s relative. Unable to fly someone from Paris due to budget constraints, he offered the role to Antigone, which she accepted.
Her role in the movie was very short and she had only one line- “Yes, your Majesty!” Interestingly, Marina Papaelia was also in the movie in an uncredited role. The movie was released in 1955 but failed to make a profit.
When a reporter asked- “Will you participate in the Miss World beauty contest?”, she replied, “I intend to!” “How do you plan to win?” “I have a feeling. I saw the crown of beauty in my dream.” These were the last words that the Egyptian beauty said to the interviewing reporter eight months before the sweet dream became a reality.
Miss World 1954
The Miss World 1954 competition was scheduled for 18th October 1954, at Lyceum ballroom hall in London by Mecca Dancing Ltd., in cooperation with the International Committee for the Miss Europe contest in Paris, and sponsored by Sunday Dispatch. Antigone reached London a week before the final, along with 15 other beauties from around the world. Every contestant had been assigned a chaperon.
On the 15th, a reception was held for all sixteen contestants in a plushy London restaurant after which they were photographed by the press individually and in a group. The next day they were interviewed on the radio and in the “In Town Tonight” program after which they dined at the Cafe de Paris. On the 17th, after finishing rehearsal, they visited the London Airport for lunch and then toured BOAC Stratocruisers. On the night before the final day, the world beauties attended a dinner-dance at the Stork Club, Streatham.
Throughout the week, Antigone displayed a calm and relaxed demeanor. She was very careful with her every move and word. She was warned, before leaving Egypt, not to behave like last year’s Miss Egypt, Marina Papaelia. While being interviewed by a reporter, she said, “Yes I know last year’s Miss Egypt. No, she gave me no tips for the contest. No, she told me nothing of what happened last year.”
In order to avoid the tantrums similar to ones displayed by Marina the previous year, “temperament” was added to the list of things on which the girls were to be judged. “Going to be a quiet contest this year,” said Eric Morley.
On the final night, the ceremony began at 8 pm. The contestants paraded in front of the judges in evening gowns and swimsuits of their choice. As each contestant walked the ramp, a spotlight picked her out and a fanfare of trumpets heralded her entry. Their names appeared in lights as a revolving globe slowly turned in the background. The stage was dominated by a glistening set-piece and decorated with flags of all the participating nations. The flags of Egypt and Great Britain were placed next to each other.
When 5’5 tall Antigone walked the ramp in front of the jury with her 36-23-36 frame, the audience erupted in applause and whistles. Her swimsuit, designed by Demoiselle, was made of gold cloth and according to reports it was so thin that “Had Miss Egypt stooped to pick up a rosebud, there’s no telling what would have happened.” The contestants were judged on dress, deportment, intelligence, sex appeal, and audience’s reaction.
The judges at the ceremony were Gracie Fields; Simon Elwes, the portrait painter; Bebe Daniels and Ben Lyon, the radio and film stars; Cedric Hardwicke, the actor; Lady Barnett, of TV fame; the Marchioness of Winchester, Britain’s premier marchioness; and M. Claude Berr, of France. The Chairman of the judging panel was the Editor of the Sunday Dispatch.
After a final line-up, the six winners were announced by Eamonn Andrews, an Irish radio and TV presenter. The press favorites, Miss Germany- Frauke Walther, Miss Greece- Efi Mela, and Miss USA- Karin Hultman, finished in fifth, third, and second place respectively.
With the announcement “The winner is Antigone Costanda of Egypt!” thunderous applause and silver trumpet music filled the hall and the smiling Antigone climbed the winner’s podium. She had won the title by a unanimous decision by the jury.
She was awarded £500 and a silver bowl by Sunday Dispatch. With camera lights flashing all over the podium, she yelled the famous- “Revenge!” (This was said in support of her victory and Egypt’s better placement at the contest compared to the previous year, and not in support of Marina Papaelia which was believed at that time.)
Within twenty-seven minutes of her crowning, Antigone was offered a movie contract by a very prestigious American film studio, which she refused. Surrounded by reporters, someone asked Antigone to speak in English and all she could come up with was, “etc., etc.”
After the ceremony, she said in elation “Yes, of course, I wanted to win. It would be silly to say I did not. And I am more pleased because this helps wipe out the scenes of last year. I am very pleased. So happy.” But the same could not be said about some of the other contestants who, like every year, were not in agreement with the judges’ decision.
At the forefront of this disagreement was the third runner-up, 17-year-old Miss France, Claudine Bleuse– the youngest entrant. She believed her friend Miss Belgium deserved the title. After the ceremony, she burst into tears backstage and wept on the shoulder of Miss Turkey.
Miss Germany and Miss Sweden also expressed their disagreement by criticizing Antigone’s figure and walk and even accused her of having too much sex appeal. On the other hand, Miss Greece was delighted to see Antigone win the title. She said, flashing her eyes, “I’m glad Miss Egypt won. For she really is a Greek girl. She just lives in Egypt.”
It was all smiles again as the sixteen finalists walked to their cars to visit the opening night of the Noel Coward season at the Cafe de Paris to toast the new Miss World. The judges were also hurried out by a side door after the end of the two-hour ceremony.
When the word of Antigone’s victory reached the ears of the famous 23-year-old Egyptian belly dancer in Paris, Maya Medwar, she called for a confrontation with her in Paris to let the audience decide who was more beautiful.
Back home in Egypt, the news of Antigone’s victory was a cause of celebration for her family. Soon the congratulations from all the friends and family started pouring in. Interestingly, Antigone won the Miss World title just a day before the British signed in Cairo the agreement to leave the Suez Canal base to the Egyptians.
However, the same Suez Canal issue later in 1955 was a cause of hostilities between Britain and Egypt. This in turn was the reason for Antigone’s absence one year later at the Miss World 1955 pageant in London. Eunice Gayson, a British actress, crowned the new Miss World in her stead.
Miss World Reign
Antigone, along with her runner-ups, spent the first few days after her victory touring and making personal appearances in London. The first appearance was on the very next day of the final, where the winners visited the Motor Show at Olympia and appeared on the Cadillac stand. After the London tour, the top three winners had the opportunity to spend a week at the Hotel Napoleon in Paris, as guests of the International Committee for Miss Europe.
Antigone returned to Egypt in early November 1954. She arrived at the International Airport in Heliopolis where she was received by very few people and was handed a bouquet of roses. A happy and emotional Antigone tried to hide her tears. She was very joyous to be back home but quickly walked away citing fatigue. In the coming days, she attended a few receptions in her honor.
Her election as a Miss World had not aroused much sensation in Egypt. Though at her home, she would often get calls from admirers that she would answer personally. Most of the money that she had won in London was spent on her travels and a utility car. No longer permanently employed, she did a few fashion shows from time to time.
She didn’t want to go to America or France. The country where she wanted to live was Italy, where she had visited earlier. She greatly admired Italian actresses and even Italian journalists, who according to her were the kindest in the world. She had also formed a good friendship with Miss Italy.
All the contracts that she had been receiving since her victory were kept in her bedroom under a pile of articles that talked about her. She would take a look at them before going to sleep every night to see if she was interested in them.
Winning the Miss World title brought various kinds of opportunities for her, but it made her fiancé sad and jilted. “You’ve got to choose,” he said. “It’s me or the world.”
She chose the Miss World title and left for her European tour, after calling off her seven-year engagement to Eddie, but without returning his ring. According to her, the ring brought her good luck.
Eddie recounted his sad story- “Before she became the beauty queen of the world, I used to be her idol. She looked at me like Hercules. But now that she’s been crowned, she’s looking down on me like I’m a dwarf.”
“I was going to marry her when she came from London. When I met her at the airport, she held out her hand to me – but not her lips. I said, ‘Let’s marry’. She said, ‘Oh, dear Eddie, do not mention marriage. I have signed an agreement to travel around the world. When I get back, let’s see.’ And then I said, ‘Either we get married now or never.’ She replied, ‘All right Eddie, I’m quitting you!’ “
But Antigone blamed Eddie and said, “He was completely enraged when I won the crown. He demanded the engagement ring from me. What a behavior! It is only 20 Pounds. Our friendship and love for seven years was only worth 20 Pounds? But now it’s all over and I have to think about my future.”
In January 1955, she broke her tour and flew back home to her erstwhile fiancé. Both were seen arm in arm visiting Caro racetracks, and when asked about the present state of affairs, both agreed: “We’re engaged again, this time for keeps.”
When asked about the world tour Eddie said: “It’s quite alright. I know now that she loves me as much as I love her. I know I shall not lose her, tour or no tour. We shall be married as soon as she returns from her rest of the tour.” Antigone agreed: “We would like to marry right away, but Eddie agrees it isn’t possible. Whoever heard of Mrs. World on tour?”
Career
After her European tour, various modeling and movie offers whisked Antigone away to Europe and the marriage plans took a backseat. She appeared in the Italian director, Vittorio Sala’s debut feature film, Donne Sole (A Woman Alone). She had the role of one of the leading ladies called Franca. The film was about three women who shared the same apartment and the same goal, to find a wealthy husband and settle down.
After completing the shoot for one of Donne Sole’s scenes in Monte Carlo, Antigone made a brief stop in Paris before returning to Rome. There she confessed to a journalist who wanted to interview her, “I hope your magazine is not read in Rome because I am here incognito. My fiance believes I am shooting for the film. If he knows about my getaway, my engagement will be broken.”
The movie was released on 17th February 1956 and was one of Italy’s official entries in the Berlin Film Festival.
Later Antigone was engaged to a mechanical engineer in Egypt which made her turn down various movie offers. This engagement was broken off after a few months and she continued to work as a fashion model. Highly-paid commissions lured her to various places in Europe and the Middle East. She worked widely in Paris, Rome, and Athens before disappearing out of the limelight and starting her own interior design company.
One of the few public events where Antigone was seen was on 24th May 1985 at the gala opening of Cairo’s discotheque, Regine’s. She was among the eight most beautiful women of the world who were invited to the event along with various celebrities like Ursula Andress, John Travolta, Brooke Shields, Julio Iglesias.
She politely declined to give her age but said she was delighted to be back in Egypt after so many years. “I’m married and live in Rome. It’s nice to see a little of the old zest and gaiety back in Cairo again,“ she said with a sigh.
In April 2006, she returned to Egypt as a special guest and one of the judges at the Miss Egypt 2006 pageant in Cairo. It was also a time of reunion with friends and revisit to various famous places of Egypt after several years.
She was also a guest at the Miss World 2011 pageant along with many previous Miss World winners, in London on 6th November 2011. When asked about the difference between the girls participating in the 1950s and today, she said: “I think it is completely different. I had a swimsuit which was simple and not a bikini. Today the dress is different, the hair, the walk…everything!”
Antigone was elected Miss World at a time when Paris fashion had not yet influenced the taste of the majority. In essence, at that time, the taste of the public in cinema, fashion, and life remained faithful to the kind of beauty that could be called “conservative”. That is what many believed was affectionately reflected in her beauty, and was the reason behind her immense success as a model.
As of today, she remains the only Egyptian beauty queen to win a major beauty pageant. But a memorable one nonetheless. She still resides in Italy and quite often spends her time in Greece as well.
(Note- According to the news reports, Antigone was 20-year-old during Miss Egypt 1953. This makes her 21-year-old during the Miss World 1954 competition instead of 19 which the official Miss World records show.)
Acknowledgments:
- Selami Yurdatap
- Francesco Conforti
- The ‘Miss World’ Story- Eric Morley
- Miss World: The Naked Truth- Don Short
- Newspaper Archives
- Fawzia Mohamed
- Sally-Ann Fawcett
- Julio Rodriguez Matute
- Dimitris Liberopoulos
- Prevelakis- Hellenic Beauty Pageant
(I sincerely thank you for your contributions, corrections, and comments!)
Read more about the Miss World 1954 contest.
