Cheryl Prewitt

Cheryl Salem (née Prewitt) (born February 15, 1957) is an American Christian evangelist, author, musician, and former beauty pageant titleholder, who was Miss Mississippi 1979 and Miss America 1980. Cheryl Prewitt has been married to Harry Salem II since 1985, with whom she has three children.

Early life At age 11, a horrifying automobile accident left Prewitt with a scarred face, a body cast, and in a wheelchair.

Pageantry Ms. Prewitt entered, and lost, pageants for five years before winning the crown that would take her to Atlantic City for the Miss America pageant. She won the Miss Starkville and Miss Mississippi titles in 1979.

Prewitt became Miss America 1980, despite a history of poverty, sexual abuse, a physical handicap, and a total of 200 facial stitches. Cheryll Prewitt with Captain Inman Carmichael, U.S. Navy, commanding officer of the aircraft carrier USS Midway (CV-41), in the aft mess decks of the carrier during a dinner on 14 July 1980.

Personal life She married Harry Salem II, (the brother-in-law of televangelist, Richard Roberts) in 1985. Along with her husband, she ministers through Salem Family Ministries.

The couple have two sons, Harry III and Roman, and had a daughter, Gabrielle, who died at age 6 in 1999 after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor.