Miss USA 1971 was the 20th Miss USA pageant, televised live by CBS hosted by Bob Barker from the Jackie Gleason Auditorium in Miami Beach, Florida on May 22, 1971.

Miss USA 1971
Miss USA 1970 Deborah Shelton crowning Michele McDonald as Miss USA 1971
DateMay 22, 1971 (1971-05-22)
PresentersBob Barker
VenueJackie Gleason Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida
BroadcasterCBS, WTVJ
Entrants51
Placements12
WinnerMichele McDonald
Pennsylvania Pennsylvania
CongenialityDiane Knaub
Colorado Colorado
PhotogenicBrenda Miller
Virginia Virginia
← 1970
1972 →

The pageant was won by Michele McDonald of Pennsylvania, who was crowned by outgoing titleholder Deborah Shelton of Virginia.[1] McDonald was the first – and to date only – woman from Pennsylvania to win the Miss USA title, and went on to place as a semi-finalist at Miss Universe 1971.

For the 1971 pageant, the number of semi-finalists called was reduced from 15 to 12. It would remain at this number until 1984, when it was cut again to 10.

Results

Final Results Contestant
Miss USA 1971[2]
1st Runner-Up[2]
2nd Runner-Up[2]
3rd Runner-Up[2]
4th Runner-Up[2]
Top 12[3]

† Indicates contestant Is deceased

Special awards

Award Contestant
Miss Congeniality
Miss Photogenic

Delegates

The Miss USA 1971 delegates were:

Judges

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Miss USA Breaks Date For Prom to Win Title". The Wichita Beacon. Associated Press. May 23, 1971. p. 1. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e Associated Press (24 May 1971). "For Miss USA Michele McDonald Winning Smile Natural". San Angelo Standard-Times. p. 13. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  3. ^ "The '10 Best', including Miss Iowa". Des Moines Tribune. 20 May 1971. p. 32. Retrieved 18 August 2024.