Peeping at Miss Universe Contestants of the 1950s (15 photos)

They wink at each other, adjust their clothes, make cute faces, change clothes, flirt with the audience, patiently await the jury's decision, and sincerely rejoice at their victory... In these unstaged photographs, taken by Life magazine correspondents in the 1950s, the Miss Universe contestants are so lively and spontaneous, and their beauty so natural and alluring.







Contestants in the Miss Universe pageant in 1953. (George Silk—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images)





Miss Italia adjusts her swimsuit, 1953. (George Silk—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images)



Miss Sweden and Miss Switzerland chat amiably on stage, 1953. (George Silk—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images)



Smiling sweetheart — "Miss USA," 1953. (George Silk—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images)



"Miss France" — winner of the Miss Universe pageant in 1953. (George Silk—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images)



A contestant at the 1954 Miss Universe pageant during the parade. (George Silk—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images)



Beauties meet sailors, 1954. (George Silk—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images)



Miss Israel greets the public, 1954. (George Silk—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images)



Miss Argentina, 1954. (George Silk—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images)



Miss Cuba adjusts something on her float during the parade, 1954. (George Silk—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images)



Contestants in the 1954 pageant. (George Silk—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images)



Gladys Zander, Miss Peru, winner of the 1957 pageant. (Leonard McCombe—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images)



Girls during a swimsuit competition, 1957. (Leonard McCombe—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images)



Gladys Zander, Miss Peru, winner of the 1957 pageant, after her coronation. (Leonard McCombe—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images)