Christiane Martel, born Christiane Magnani on January 18, 1932, is a French actress and beauty queen who made history as the second woman to be crowned Miss Universe in 1953.
Martel's journey to the Miss Universe title began when she was crowned Miss France by the outgoing titleholder, Claude Godart. She then represented France at the prestigious Miss Universe 1953 pageant, where she surpassed expectations to become the second Miss Universe.
The 1953 Miss Universe pageant saw Martel's runners-up being Myrna Hansen of the United States, followed closely by representatives from Japan, Mexico, and Australia.
Following her reign as Miss Universe, Martel ventured into an illustrious career in international films, appearing in a diverse range of movies including Yankee Pasha, So This Is Paris, Abajo el Telón, the 1956 version of Corazón salvaje, Viva el Amor!, Rosa Blanca, and her last film to date, 1961's Leoni al Sole.
As an actress, Martel's talent and versatility were showcased in a variety of roles, making her a beloved figure in the French film industry.
