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15/10/2020
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Keren Bellos
Western Suburbs Weekly
October 15, 2020 11:00PM
The selection of the new Miss Universe was followed seconds later by these chaotic scenes at Perth Entertainment Centre in 1979. Credit: David Taylor/The West Australian
WHEN the glamour and excitement of the Miss Universe pageant came to the Perth Entertainment Centre in 1979, the finale was far from pretty.
As people rushed forward at the show’s end to congratulate ravishing brunette Miss Venezuela, Maritza Sayalero, on being named the winner, part of the elaborate plywood stage collapsed under their weight.
Eight contestants and several media representatives fell about two metres as a 7000-strong crowd looked on, many oblivious that it was not part of the celebrations.
The telecast had already ended, so the mishap — which was over in just minutes once the distressed beauties realised they were mostly alright — wasn’t beamed into the estimated 700 million households around the globe that had been tuned in.
“It was all so quick; I thought it was an earthquake,” Miss Malta, Dian Bartolo, told reporters.
“There was a loud noise … I thought everything was going to collapse.
“We all fell through the floor and I finished up underneath Miss Switzerland.”
An injured contestant is taken backstage. Credit: Dave Tanner/The West Australian
Bartolo was treated at Royal Perth Hospital for bruising and a foot injury while Miss Turkey, Fusin Dermitan, was admitted with bruises and mild concussion.
Luckily for leggy 18-year-old architecture student Sayalero, she was seated safely on the Miss Universe throne while the chaos unfolded.
In front of her proud parents, she had triumphed over 11 other semi-finalists after impressing judges in swimsuit, evening gown and live interview rounds, beating the language barrier while answering questions through an interpreter.
For her efforts — which included pulling a fallen Miss Colombia, Ana Turbay, to safety — she took home a prize haul including $10,000, a fur coat and a car.
Maritza Sayalero looked resplendent on the Miss Universe throne. Credit: Dave Tanner/The West Australian
“I feel very emotional now and I cannot at this moment tell you my future plans,” she said on the night.
“I feel sad that some of the girls were hurt.”
American singer Donny Osmond, who performed at the event, avoided the incident and had been seen earlier inspecting some of the recent space station Skylab wreckage displayed on the stage.
American singer Donny Osmond and Miss Universe contestants examined the Skylab wreckage, which was on the show's stage. Credit: The West Australian/The West Australian
Miss Bermuda, Gina Swainson, was runner-up while Miss England, Carolyn Seaward, finished third. Kerry Dunderdale represented Australia.
Like a true professional, Sayalero later attended the coronation ball and joined then Premier, Sir Charles Court, for a waltz.
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