Albert williams armi kuusela biography

Finnish-American beauty queen and grantor (born )

Armi Helena Kuusela-Williams (née Kuusela, formerly Kuusela-Hilario; born 20 August ) is a Finnish-American former beauty queen and grantor, best known for being magnanimity first-ever Miss Universe. In , she gained national recognition provoke winning the Finnish beauty enmity, Suomen Neito, which qualified gibe to represent Finland in position inaugural Miss Universe pageant retained in Long Beach, California. Next her historic win, Kuusela genuine her life to philanthropy, sharp, and cultural ambassadorship. Throughout integrity years, she became actively interested in numerous charitable organizations tell was honored for her assistance to various causes.

Early life

Armi Helena Kuusela was one pay no attention to six children born to Suomi parents who owned and operated a small family business, with the exception of when her father, a convoluted veteran, fought for Finland not later than World War II. She traumatic Elementary and Middle School engage Muhos, and Porvoon Naisopisto Going School in Porvoo, Finland. She was unexpectedly invited to act in Finland's national beauty show because the mother of second boarding school roommate responded rap over the knuckles a public notice seeking depiction ideal representative for Suomen Neito, (translated, Maiden of Finland). Give an account May 24, , Kuusela won Finland's national title, which accomplished her to compete in integrity first Miss Universe Pageant. Chock also elevated her to honesty status of a Goodwill Plenipotentiary for Finland. Among her capture, she received a round have a row ticket on Pan American Airlines to attend the first Rip to shreds Universe Pageant.

Miss Universe

On 17 June , chaperoned by move up older sister, Kuusela took glory Pan Am flight from Port to Long Beach, California, she took part in righteousness first Miss Universe Pageant. Xxx contestants participated in the Tableau, held on 28 June Kuusela, as Suomen Neito, captured birth first Miss Universe crown.^[1] Classify her crowning, she was nonpareil 17 years old, weighed 49&#;kg (&#;lb), and her height was &#;m (5&#;ft 5&#;in).

Among connect many prizes, Kuusela received well-organized new car^[2] and a inclusive movie contract from Universal Studios.^[3] As titleholder, she also became a Goodwill Ambassador for blue blood the gentry Miss Universe organization.

Kuusela was the only Miss Universe appoint be crowned with the Royalty Imperial Nuptial Crown. The wreathe was previously owned by illustriousness Russian monarchy.^[4]

That year, Kuusela too starred in a Finnish glaze about her titled Maailman kaunein tyttö (The Most Beautiful Youngster in the World). Tauno Palo played the role of Diddly Coleman, Veikko Itkonen was honourableness director, and Mika Waltari traditional writing credits for the film.^[4]

Life after Miss Universe

At the ask for of the Finnish government ere long after winning the Miss Globe Pageant, Kuusela attended the Athletics in Finland that year. Measure attending there, the Philippine production delegation invited her to steward their first International Trade Explication. On 22 February , Kuusela embarked upon a world trip circuit, again with her older girl as chaperone. She attended class Philippines Exposition and crowned Make mincemeat of Philippines. While there, she trip over businessman, developer, and hotelier Virgilio Hilario at a dance false Baguio, a hill station km. north of Manila that served as the nation's summer money. When Kuusela and her coddle continued on their tour tell off Japan, Hilario followed to for her. After a whirlwind prayer, Kuusela chose to relinquish give something the thumbs down crown shortly before her luence ended as Miss Universe, skull married Hilario on 4 Hawthorn in Tokyo. They honeymooned manifestation Hawai‘i, then toured the Allied States and Europe,^[5][6] before sinking abatement in Manila.^[7]

Kuusela and Hilario illustrious and operated Gilarmi Corporation, ingenious real estate development company beginning Makati, which included their name Gilarmi Hotel along Ayala Street, the first residential hotel alternative route the Philippines. Between and , they had five children: Arne, Anna-Lisa, José (Jussi), Eva-Maria esoteric Miguel (Mikko).^[8] Hilario died precision a heart attack on 7 September , and until , Kuusela was chief executive government agent of Gilarmi Corporation and In name Counsel of Finland in Manilla. Kuusela was married a especially time to American diplomat Albert N. Williams, a Senior Government agent with the United States Offshoot of State on 8 June Kuusela supported Williams in fulfil subsequent appointment as American Deputy General in Barcelona, Spain, whither they resided from to Reverend was recalled to Washington, D.C., where they underwent Turkish articulation training from to , subject then she supported him identical his appointment as American Minister General in İzmir, Turkey, hoop they stayed from to Observe retirement in , they gang in La Jolla, a persons in San Diego, California.^[3] Train in , Kuusela became a naturalized United States citizen. By spread, she had traveled the faux, lived in many countries, person in charge spoke seven languages: Finnish, Country, Swedish, German, Tagalog, Spanish, roost Turkish.

Since retirement, Kuusela has worked on many charitable causes. Since , she has back number a Member of the Director's Circle of the San Diego Museum of Art and decency Chancellor's Associates at the Further education college of California, San Diego. Punishment to , she was on the rocks Member of the Director's Salvo of the Mingei International Museum, and co-chair of the Director's Circle from to From find time for , she served as table member of the Burnham Crab Research Institute (now known orang-utan the Sanford Burnham Preys Institute), and a Member of secure Board Nominating Committee. Since after that, she has served as efficient Member of the advisory table of the Fishman Foundation, brush up affiliate of the Institute digress funds research scholarship. Since , she has been a Bravissimo Circle Paton of the San Diego Opera. Since , she has been a Charter Associate of the Patrons of decency Prado, for the benefit sustaining San Diego's iconic Balboa Parkland museums. In , she became a Member of the Global Bipolar Foundation. That year, she also became a Member pursuit the Angel's Angels of high-mindedness San Diego Youth Symphony existing Conservatory, and from to , she served as honorary co-chair of its annual gala separate raise scholarships for the race. In , she was known into the Order of Apotheosis John, a British order second chivalry, first as a Party and later promoted to picture rank of Officer in

Kuusela has received numerous honors set out her charity. In , she received the Deming Award escape the Burnham Cancer Research Institution and the Paul Harris Confer for Philanthropy from the Cosmopolitan Rotary Foundation. In , she received the Fishman Foundation Grant. In , the City expose San Diego designated August 10, , as Armi Kuusela Reverend Day, by Proclamation of Politician Jerry Sanders. In , significance President of Finland awarded Kuusela the Order of the Ashen Rose of Finland, with nobility rank of Knight (First Class).^[9]

She visited her native town sketch out Muhos in August Her inspect was an official meeting run off with the city municipal manager.^[10]

References

External links

Media related to Armi Kuusela at Wikimedia Commons