Kerstin Margareta "Kiki" Håkansson (23 July 1929 – 4 November 2024)<!-- NOTE: https://www.cnbctv18.com/world/first-miss-world-kiki-hakansson-dies-at-95-in-california-19505089.htm (CNBC TV18 and other sources have 17 July DOB. --> was a Swedish model and beauty queen who was the first winner of the Miss World beauty pageant.
Miss World 1951
Originally the Festival Bikini Contest, Miss World was organized by Eric Morley as a mid-century advertisement for swimwear at the Festival of Britain. Håkansson was a photo and fashion model when she was crowned Miss Sweden World in 1951 and subsequently won the London pageant.
Håkansson wore a bikini during the crowning ritual, after which she was condemned by Pope Pius XII and some countries with strong religious traditions threatened to withdraw delegates. In 1952, bikinis were banned from the pageant and replaced with more modest swimwear. While they were eventually reintroduced to Miss World, Håkansson remains the only winner to have received her crown while wearing one.