A look back at all the Miss Belize delegates that have ever represented Belize at Miss Universe since 1975 - all 26 of them. Let's add more to the list!

Join our cause to get Belize back into Miss Universe. We have applied for the franchise. Help us let the MUO see that Belizeans and pageant fans want to see Miss Belize compete.

Featuring the following delegates:

1975 - Pelisamay Longsworth
1977 - Dora Maria Phillips
1978 - Christina Margarita Ysaguirre
1979 - Sarita Diana Acosta
1980 - Ellen Marie Clarke
1981 - Ivette Zabaneh
1982 - Sharon Kay Auxillou
1983 - Shirlene Dianne McKoy
1984 - Lisa Patricia Ramirez
1985 - Jennifer Woods
1986 - Romy Ellen Taegar
1987 - Holly Emma Edgell
1989 - Andrea Shermane McKoy
1990 - Ysela Antonia Zabaneh
1991 - Josephine Gault
1993 - Melanie Smith
1995 - Deborah Wade
1996 - Ava Lovell
1997 - Sharon Dominguez
1998 - Elvia Lilia Vega
1999 - Viola Jeffery
2000 - Shiemicka La-Shanne Richardson
2003 - Becky Belinda Bernard
2004 - Leilah Anne Magdalena Pandy
2005 - Andrea Elrington
2007 - Maria Jeffery

Sarita Diana Acosta

On July 20, 1979 at the Perth Entertainment Centre in Perth, Australia 75 delegates from all over the world took the stage as they began their quest for the Miss Universe crown. Among them, was Miss Belize, 19 year-old Sarita Diana Acosta.

Amazingly, and against the odds, Belize was called as part of the Top 12 semifinalists. What was even more amazing was that Miss Bermuda was also called, and for the first time in history two black delegates made it to the semifinals. Miss Bermuda Gina Swainson actually finished as first runner-up to Venezuela's Maritza Sayalero who captured the crown (Venezuela's first of many). Gina went on to compete at Miss World later that year in London and captured the Miss World crown for Bermuda.

Sarita, unfortunately, failed to advance to the Top 5. However, she only just missed out by an average of a mere 0.107 points. She was very close to making Top 5 and her performance was very strong, so much so that almost 35 years later we're still so very proud of her. Please enjoy this video montage of Sarita during the Miss Universe 1979 pageant.

Highlights of Belize's participation at Miss Universe 1979 held in Perth, Western Australia, Australia. Miss Belize Sarita Diana Acosta made Belize's first (and so far only) placement at Miss Universe when she placed in the Top 12.