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Michelle McLean (born July 31, 1972 in Windhoek, Namibia) was crowned Miss Universe in 1992. She was 19 years old when she represented Namibia and became the first and only woman from Namibia to win the crown.
Before she became Miss Universe, McLean competed in Miss World 1991. In the preliminary competition she was tied in second place with a score of 51 along with Miss South Africa, behind the eventual winner, Venezuela's Ninibeth Leal; McLean eventually finished in the top 5.
Miss Universe
In the 1992 Miss Universe pageant she finished second in the preliminary with a score of 9.147, right behind Carolina Izsak of Venezuela, who won all three preliminary competitions. Nonetheless, McLean's warmth and love for children helped clinch the crown over Izsak, Paola Turbay of Colombia, and Madhushri Sapre of India.
In 1992 Michelle founded the Michelle McLean Children's Trust in Namibia, which focuses on the education and care of under-privileged children.
Life after Miss Universe
Michelle was instrumental in bringing the Miss Universe pageant to her country in 1995. Michelle married Neil Bierbaum, they had a son together, Luke McLean Bierbaum in 1999 they then divorced in 2006. In 2000 Michelle funded the building of the Michelle McLean Primary School, in the capital of Namibia, Windhoek. It now has just under 1000 students. In 2009 Michelle co-hosted the Miss World pageant held in South Africa.
Michelle McLean and former Manchester United goalkeeper Gary Bailey married on March 9th 2013
The most exciting South East Asia destination, and one of the most beautiful and colorful countries in the world, the kingdom of Thailand, hosted the Miss Universe pageant for the first time in 1992. The final was held at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, in Bangkok, and 78 countries competed.
For the 3rd consecutive year the pageant was hosted by Dick Clark, who did a very good job. Comments by former Miss Universe Angela Visser (1989) were once again entertaining and added spice and color to the pageant (Angela has probably been the best commentator Miss Universe has ever had.
When the contestants hit Thailand, one tall and stunning woman caught everyone’s immediate attention: Venezuela’s Carolina Izsak. With green eyes and an unmatchable elegance, the press often referred to Miss Venezuela as a young and taller Liz Taylor. It looked like she wouldn’t have to make much effort to conquer a fourth Miss Universe crown for her country.
Ecuador and Colombia: South American favorites
However, it was a strong year, and her competition was fierce. Another ‘giant’, whose grace and elegance were hard to miss, Namibia’s Michelle McLean had just competed and been a top 5-finisher in Miss World. What Colombia’s Paola Turbay missed in height, she overly compensated in facial beauty, intelligence and confidence. India’s Madhu Sapre and Thailand’s Ornanong Panyawong were Asia’s bets, while from Europe, some stunners such as Iceland’s Svava Haraldsdottir, the Netherlands’ Vivian Jansen, and the sexy bomb from Belgium, Anke van Dermeersch (another major favorite in Thailand), were all major contenders as well. The Middle East competed strongly with Turkey’s Elif Ilgaz, and the US Virgin Islands probably had its most competitive candidate ever, Cathy-Mae Sitaram.
To make things even more complicated, Miss Ecuador, Soledad Diab, was voted ‘Miss Photogenic’, and made her countrymen very hopeful to see a second semi-finalist from their land in Miss Universe history.
But Miss Venezuela was THE front-runner, and her preliminary scores showed that the judges agreed with everyone else: she was first, way ahead of Miss Namibia, who advanced to the semi-finals in 2nd place.
The top 10 had Australia, Belgium, Colombia, India, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, USA and Venezuela. Miss Iceland actually tied with
Miss Sweden in 10th place, but the judges surprisingly chose to leave the favorite from Reykjavik standing behind (her interview preliminary score was one of the lowest, which might have been a decisive factor). The hometown girl, the doll from Thailand, also missed the cut. Not a single black beauty, not even the amazing Miss US Virgin Island, reached the semi-final.
The only ‘surprise’ in the top 10, who could’ve easily been replaced by any of the above mentioned beauties, was Miss USA, Shannon Marketic.
After interviews, swimsuits and gowns, the semi-finals were over with Venezuela giving one more step towards the crown, by once again finishing in 1st place. However, this time closely followed by Misses Colombia, India, and Namibia. Misses Netherlands and Belgium completed a really notable top 6, perhaps one of the best ever.
Three ladies in red, India, Namibia, and Colombia, and three ladies in green, Venezuela, Netherlands, and Belgium, faced the judges on another round of questions. Miss India nailed her interview and advanced to the top 3 in first place. She was also the crowd favorite. Miss Nambia followed comfortably, and then, the giant’s fall happened for a whim of mathematics: neither Colombia, nor Venezuela gave the best answers they could’ve given to their questions, but by a mere 0.03 point-difference, Colombia remained in the game, and the Venezuelan was out.
India: from heaven to hell in a matter of minutes
India had just given a brilliant answer and was the clear favorite at that moment to win the title, but in contrast to that, Ms. Sapre gave a horrible answer to the final question and finished in 3rd place. It was shocking to the point that many people thought she simply did not want to win. Colombia was second, and beautiful Miss Namibia deservingly took the crown home.
Michelle was an extraordinary Miss Universe, without a doubt, one of the best ever. She did an amazing job helping the children of her country as well as people infect with the HIV virus. She became a UN Ambassador in Africa and her great charity work continues today. In 1995, thanks to Michelle’s support and involvement, Miss Universe took place in Namibia. It was the first time, and so far only, the pageant happened in African soil.
As for Carolina Izsak of Venezuela, she will always be remembered as one of the most beautiful candidates in pageant history.