Maritza Sayalero

Maritza Sayalero Fernández (born February 16, 1961 in Caracas) is a Venezuelan designer, model, businesswoman and beauty queen. In 1979, she was crowned both Miss Venezuela and Miss Universe, the first woman from Venezuela to win this title. She is married to retired tennis player Raúl Ramírez, with whom she has lived in Mexico since 1981. Miss Venezuela Sayalero competed in 1979 as Miss Departamento Vargas in her country's national beauty pageant, Miss Venezuela. She won the crown and the right to represent her country in the Miss Universe 1979 pageant. Miss Universe Sayalero showed enough of her legendary poise to become the leader of the night, winning the swimsuit, interview and evening gown competitions at the pageant held in Perth, Australia on July 19. She was the first titleholder from Venezuela. Immediately after the live telecast ended, the stage collapsed, as too many journalists and photographers tried get a photograph of her. She managed to save a contestant (Miss Colombia) from falling into the gaping hole left in the middle of the set. Other delegates, including Miss Turkey and Miss Brazil, fell through the hole and were injured.