Carole Joan Crawford (born 13 February 1943) is a Jamaican model and beauty queen who won the

Miss World Miss World is the oldest existing international beauty pageant. It was created in the United Kingdom by Eric Morley in 1951. Since his death in 2000, Morley's widow, Julia Morley, has co-chaired the pageant. Along with Miss Universe, Miss Int ...

contest in 1963, She was also the first winning delegate from both

Jamaica Jamaica (; ) is an island country situated in the Caribbean Sea. Spanning in area, it is the third-largest island of the Greater Antilles and the Caribbean (after Cuba and Hispaniola). Jamaica lies about south of Cuba, and west of His ...

and the Caribbean to have won Miss World. At the time of her victory, she was 20 years old and stood at a height of only 5'3" (1.59 m), which was short by Miss World standards at the time. During the beauty competition, which was held in

London London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...

, Crawford wore a specially designed swimsuit with a high neckline so that she would appear taller. Her return to Jamaica, after her historic win in London, sparked a huge celebration: "The reception when I returned was simply fantastic. The airport was filled with people welcoming me. The Government had issued millions of commemorative stamps with my picture in my swimsuit on it. There were receptions with Sir

Alexander Bustamante Sir William Alexander Clarke Bustamante (born William Alexander Clarke; 24 February 1884 – 6 August 1977) was a Jamaican politician and labour leader, who, in 1962, became the first prime minister of Jamaica. Early life and education He was ...

and Governor General Sir

Clifford Campbell Sir Clifford Clarence Campbell (28 June 189228 September 1991) was a Jamaican educator and politician who served as speaker of the House and President of the Senate. In 1962, after Jamaica achieved independence, he was appointed as the first ...

and his wife. I was presented with the gold key to the city of Kingston." In honor of her winning the Miss World title, the Jamaica Post issued a series of stamp imprinted with an image of Crawford wearing a swimsuit. Today, Crawford resides in Canada, and is known as Carole Joan Crawford-Merkens.

References

1943 births Living people Miss World winners Jamaican female models Miss Jamaica World winners Miss World 1963 delegates People from Kingston, Jamaica Jamaican emigrants to Canada {{Jamaica-bio-stub