The instant popularity of the Miss World beauty pageant, originally planned as a one-off affair to coincide with the Festival of Britain, ensured its success as an on-going annual event with international appeal. In 1952 May Louise Flodin became the second Miss World - and the second from Sweden - confirming that her homeland produced the prettiest girls around.
1st runner-up Sylvia Muller, Switzerland
2nd runner-up Vera Marks, Germany
3rd runner-up Eeva Hellas, Finland

May Louise's title as well as her good looks, were instrumental in getting her career as a fashion model off the ground and she successfully combined life on the catwalk with exhibition water-skiing. Today, mother of four and grandmother to six, she runs a hotel chain in Jordan.