Gloria Diaz, 1969
In 1969, a young doe-eyed Gloria Diaz stepped up on the stage at the Miss Universe pageant in Miami, Florida. In her impeccably-styled double-winged liner and high ponytail, she answered questions thrown at her that concerned her family, her siblings, and men on the moon. At just 18 years old, Gloria Diaz, in those few moments, had won. Now, at 69, five decades and a year since her titular win as Miss Universe, Diaz has become an emblem of morena beauty and grace, not to mention the first of (currently) four local wins at the Miss Universe pageant.
Today, Diaz is a multi-awarded film and TV actress. Her burgeoning talent was first noticed in the 1974 film Ang Pinakamagandang Hayop sa Balat ng Lupa, which earned her a nomination as Best Actress from the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS).
Since then, she's been in local films and TV shows that include Ganito Kami Noon, Dyesebel, Mirabella, and Los Bastardos. She's also recently guest-starred in Netflix's Insatiable alongside Dallas Roberts and Disney alumna, Debby Ryan. And although her stint at Insatiable is an acting job, it comes as no surprise that her character, as a former beauty queen turned pageant coach, befits her self in real life.
Read also: A Look Back On The Four Filipina Miss Universe Queens