Margaret Gardiner shares photos from her 1978 Miss Universe reign 42 years ago

2020-04-15 14:06 Graye Morkel

Many of Margaret Gardiner's fans have asked her to share photos from her 1978 Miss Universe reign, and now the former beauty queen has delivered.

While America is currently under lockdown, the South African who now resides in Los Angeles, said she took the time to look through old photographs.

"Honestly I'm a little shy looking back so long ago," she wrote on Instagram, sharing a photo from her reign, 42 years ago.

At 18 years old Margaret was the first South African to win the Miss Universe title in 1978. And for 39 years she was the only South African to do so until Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters brought home the crown in 2017.

Margaret, who now works as a journalist, previously shared photos from her teenage years, working as a model in Paris - which only received positive comments from her 9 500 followers.

"You will always be my most favourite Miss Universe, as a South African I fondly remember these images. The amazing part is how you stayed true to yourself and your charm, intelligence and beauty is timeless," one fan wrote to Margaret.

https://www.channel24.co.za/The-Juice/News/Pageant/margaret-gardiner-shares-photos-from-her-1978-miss-universe-reign-42-years-ago-20200415