Myrna hansen biography

This post is a part of TMP’s Historical Context series, where I share excerpts from my collection of vintage publications.

Myrna Hansen, by all accounts a regular Chicago girl, had a huge year in 1953.

After graduating from Carl Schurz High School in June of that year, Myrna was chosen as the Chicago Press Photographers Association’s Miss Photoflash. After winning this title, Myrna went on to compete in the Miss USA contest, taking home the crown and moving on to Miss Universe.

Myrna placed second for Miss Universe (losing to Christiane Martel, a French girl who would lose her crown for lying about her age), but she went on to find even greater fame.

Before making a name from her beauty, Myrna had wanted to be a veterinarian. But when she began taking home big pageant titles, she found a new path as an actress, and as the 1954 cover girl of True Story magazine.

I happen to own two of the issues that feature Hansen on the cover: January 1954 and December 1954, her first and last issues as cover girl.

Page four of the January issue has a little blurb about her titled “Meet the New ‘Miss True Story.'” The mag mentions Myrna’s Miss USA win and describes her as “the ideal American girl in looks, likes and ambitions.” It is mentioned that she graduated from high school with honors and has a great interest in swimming, figure skating and horseback riding. She’s also a good Samaritan, having jumped into Lake Michigan to save a drowning young man!

Marriage is not on the horizon for young Myrna, the mag states, because she’s focused on her new career as a model and actress. Winning Miss USA scored her a contract with Universal Pictures, which she had negotiated up to a seven-year contract by the end of 1954, starting at $200 per week with the option to increase to up to $900 per week.

Only a few years later, though, Hansen began to be scouted by MGM. She did extensive “undercover” r

Myrna Hansen (nacida el 5 de agosto de 1934)​ es una actriz, modelo y ganadora de concursos de belleza estadounidense, quién ganó Miss USA 1953.

Educación

Hansen es hija de Mr. y Mrs. Raymond E. Hansen.​ Se graduó en el Carl Schurz High School de Chicago, Illinois, en junio de 1953. Antes de competir en el concurso de Miss Universo de 1953, Hansen tenía previsto estudiar ganadería en Colorado. Ya había enviado por correo su matrícula para la admisión a la universidad, aspirando a convertirse en veterinaria

Concursos de belleza

Hansen fue elegida Miss Photoflash de 1953 por la Asociación de Fotógrafos de Prensa de Chicago.​ Fue inscrita en el concurso de Miss Estados Unidos al ganar este título. Medía 1,70 metros y pesaba 125 libras. Sus medidas incluían un busto de 37 -, una cintura de 25 - y unas caderas de 35 -. A finales de 1955 su busto había aumentado una pulgada. Sus medidas son 38 - 25 - 33. Es rubia y tiene ojos marrones.

Miss Universe

Tras ganar la corona de Miss Illinois USA, Hansen, de Chicago, pasó a ser la primera representante de Illinois en conseguir el título de Miss USA. Fue elegida subcampeona en el concurso de Miss Universe de 1953. Hedda Hopper informó en marzo de 1954 que Hansen debería haber obtenido el título de Miss Universo. La ganadora, Christiane Martel de Francia, fue expuesta por tener sólo diecisiete años cuando ganó

American actress, model, and beauty pageant winner (born 1934)

Myrna Hansen (born August 5, 1934) is an American actress, model, and beauty pageant titleholder who won Miss USA 1953.

Education

Hansen is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond E. Hansen. She graduated from Carl Schurz High School in Chicago, Illinois, in June 1953. Before competing in the 1953 Miss Universe contest, Hansen planned to study animal husbandry in Colorado. She had mailed her tuition for admission to college, aspiring to become a veterinarian.

Beauty contestant

Hansen was chosen as Miss Photoflash of 1953 by the Chicago Press Photographers Association. She was entered in the Miss USA contest by virtue of winning this title. She was 5'7" tall and weighed 125 pounds. Her measurements included a 37-inch bust, 25-inch waist, and 35-inch hips. She is a blonde with brown eyes. By the end of 1955, her bust had increased by an inch. Her measurements read 38-25-35.

For winning the Miss USA crown, Hansen was awarded a Hillman Minx convertible, a Universal Pictures contract, and a $2,500 diamond wrist watch. She also received an ornate trophy presented by Ruth Hampton, actress, and 1952 Miss New Jersey USA.

Finalist as Miss Universe

After winning the Miss Illinois USA crown, Hansen, from Chicago, became Illinois's first representative to capture the Miss USA title. She was chosen as runner-up in the Miss Universe contest of 1953. Hedda Hopper reported in March 1954 that Hansen should have been awarded the Miss Universe title. The winner, Christiane Martel of France, was exposed as having been only age 17 when she won.

In January 1954, Hansen accompanied Martel in the 65th annual Tournament of Roses Parade. They were aboard the float titled American Heritage. It was an entry of the city of Long Beach, California. Adorned by cupids and thousands of white orc