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In My Day: Lorraine Downes on the highs and lows of being Miss Universe

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Mon, 13 Jul 2026, 12:46pm
Lorraine Downes taking part in the NZ Fashion Week opening show called "Into the Archives". Photo / Dean Purcell
Lorraine Downes taking part in the NZ Fashion Week opening show called "Into the Archives". Photo / Dean Purcell

It was this very day, July 11th, back in 1983 that Lorraine Downes won the Miss Universe competition. The vibrant 19-year-old kiwi, with the engaging smile, stood on a stage in Missouri in front of 16,000 people, and a global TV audience of 700 million to win and change the trajectory of her life forever. There were unbelievably happy times ahead - and incredible tragedy too.

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