1959 – Akiko Kojima from Japan

Akiko Kojima became the first Japanese and Asian woman to be crowned Miss Universe in 1959. She beat the crowd favorites from the US, Brazil and England to clinch the title, even though her 5-foot-6 frame was quite short when compared to her fellow beauty queens. She also had to deny rumors that she underwent breast augmentation surgery. In 1966, Akiko married Japanese actor Akira Takarada, but they eventually split. In 2007, 48 years after Akiko’s crowning moment, Riyo Mori would win the title once again for Japan.