Margaret Gardiner
South African beauty pageant contestant and journalist
About Margaret Gardiner
Born 1959. Margaret Gardiner is a South African journalist, model, beauty pageant contestant, psychologist and writer.
Margaret Gardiner (born 21 August 1959) is a South African journalist and beauty queen who was the winner of the Miss Universe 1978, the first South African woman, and the first African one, to win the Miss Universe title. She was 18 years old when she won the pageant. After the three semi-final competitions, she was in fourth place among the five finalists, but ended up winning the pageant after answering the final question.
During the event held in Acapulco, she received her crown from Janelle Commissiong, the first black titleholder of the pageant.
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Important facts
People in Margaret Gardiner's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
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Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who is Margaret Gardiner?
South African beauty pageant contestant and journalist
When was Margaret Gardiner born?
Margaret Gardiner was born on 21 August 1959 in Cape Town.
What is Margaret Gardiner's occupation?
Margaret Gardiner is a journalist, model, beauty pageant contestant, psychologist and writer.
What nationality is Margaret Gardiner?
Margaret Gardiner is South African.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: Margaret Gardiner
· DBpedia: Margaret Gardiner (Miss Universe)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Margaret Gardiner. https://biography.guide/margaret-gardiner/
MLA: "Margaret Gardiner." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/margaret-gardiner/.
Chicago: "Margaret Gardiner." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/margaret-gardiner/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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