History of Miss Brazil in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: November 22, 2025

Miss Brazil is a national beauty pageant held annually in Brazil since 1954. The pageant's primary function is to select Brazil's representative for the Miss Universe competition. From 2020 to 2023, Brazilian businessman Winston Ling owned the pageant, with Marthina Brandt serving as its national director.

1900: Early Miss Brazil Competitions

In 1900, early sporadic competitions in the vein of Miss Brazil existed throughout the country in a non-consecutive manner. Violeta Lima Castro was crowned Miss Brazil 1900.

1954: Formal Creation of Miss Brazil Competition

In 1954, the Miss Brazil competition was formally created and held annually. Martha Rocha won the title. Catalina Swimwear became sponsors of the competition and provided swimwear for the contestants.

1954: Inaugural Miss Brazil pageant

In 1954, the Miss Brazil pageant was established and held annually to select Brazil's representative for the Miss Universe pageant.

1955: Diários Associados Promotion

In 1955, Diários Associados began promoting and broadcasting the Miss Brazil competition, which increased press coverage and recognition.

1963: Iêda Maria Vargas Wins Miss Universe

In 1963, Iêda Maria Vargas won Miss Universe, marking one of Brazil's only two wins in the competition.

1968: Martha Vasconcellos Wins Miss Universe

In 1968, Martha Vasconcellos won Miss Universe, adding to Brazil's victories in the competition.

1971: Lúcia Petterle Wins Miss World

In 1971, Lúcia Petterle was crowned Miss World, making Brazil one of the few countries to have won both Miss Universe and Miss World.

1973: Pageant Moved to Brasília

In 1973, the Miss Brazil pageant was moved from Ginásio do Maracanãzinho in Rio de Janeiro to Nilson Nelson Gymnasium in Brasília for strategic and political reasons.

1976: Withdrawal of Helena Rubinstein Incorporated

In 1976, the Miss Brazil competition faced decreased popularity and the withdrawal of key sponsor Helena Rubinstein Incorporated.

1980: Rede Tupi Bankruptcy

In 1980, Rede Tupi, which broadcast Miss Brazil, faced bankruptcy.

1980: Transfer to SBT

In 1980, following the bankruptcy of Rede Tupi, Miss Brazil was transferred to Sistema Brasileiro de Televisão (SBT).

1990: SBT Drops Miss Brazil

In 1990, SBT dropped Miss Brazil from its scheduling due to the continued downturn in viewership.

1991: Brito Organizes National Pageants

In 1991, Marlene Brito organized the national pageants after leaving SBT.

1992: Brito Organizes National Pageants

In 1992, Marlene Brito continued to organize the national pageants.

1993: Titleholder Appointed

In 1993, due to a lack of sponsorship, a titleholder was appointed instead of holding a pageant.

1996: Paulo Max's Death

In 1996, Paulo Max, who had taken over the Miss Brazil organization, died.

1997: Max's Children Organize Competition

From 1997, Paulo Max's children, Paulo Max Filho and Ana Paula Sang, organized the Miss Brazil competition.

1999: Max's Children Organize Competition

Until 1999, Paulo Max's children, Paulo Max Filho and Ana Paula Sang, continued to organize the Miss Brazil competition.

2000: Gaeta Promoções e Eventos Takes Over

In 2000, Gaeta Promoções e Eventos took over organizing Miss Brazil, broadcasting through CNT Rio de Janeiro.

2002: Return to National Television

In 2002, the Miss Brazil competition returned to national television after being transferred to RedeTV!.

2003: Partnership with Rede Bandeirantes

In 2003, Miss Brazil partnered with Rede Bandeirantes (Band), leading to renewed media promotion and popularity.

2012: Band Awarded Franchise

In 2012, the Brazilian franchise for Miss Universe was awarded entirely to Band, ending their partnership with Gaeta.

2015: Band Responsible for Directing Pageant

From 2012 until 2015, Grupo Bandeirantes de Comunicação was responsible for directing the national pageant.

2015: Agreement with Polishop

In 2015, Band entered into an agreement with Brazilian retailer Polishop, where Band was responsible for the annual broadcast, and Polishop handled management and organization. The competition was renamed Miss Brasil Be Emotion.

July 2019: End of Band and Polishop Partnership

In July 2019, the partnership between Band and Polishop ended due to decreased public interest.

October 2019: Guimarães Confirms News Regarding Miss Brazil's Future

In October 2019, Natália Guimarães confirmed news regarding the future of Miss Brazil, promising a "new era".

March 2020: Band's License Not Renewed

In March 2020, it was confirmed that Band's license with the Miss Universe Organization was not renewed.

July 2020: Winston Ling Purchases Franchise

In July 2020, Winston Ling purchased the Brazilian franchise for Miss Universe, rebranding the competition as U Miss Brazil.

November 2020: Brandt Hired as National Director

In November 2020, Marthina Brandt was hired as the national director of the newly created competition.

2020: Ownership by Winston Ling

In 2020, Brazilian businessman Winston Ling acquired ownership of the Miss Brazil pageant.

2020: Possible Lack of Representation at Miss Universe

In 2020, it was alleged that Brazil might not have a representative at Miss Universe due to the end of the Band and Polishop partnership.

2021: First National Pageant

In 2021, the organization held its first national Miss Brazil pageant under the new ownership.

2023: Ownership by Winston Ling

In 2023, Winston Ling continued to own the Miss Brazil pageant, with Marthina Brandt serving as the national director.

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