All Miss Universe crowns arrive in Puerto Rico for first time
The historic collection forms part of the free Universe Experience Puerto Rico exhibition opening on Tuesday at Plaza Las Américas in San Juan.
File photoThe short version
- El Vocero reports that for the first time all crowns from 75 years of Miss Universe history are gathered in one public exhibition in Puerto Rico
- Joseph Da’Ponte told El Vocero the crowns required a complex transfer and security operation and are under 24-hour surveillance with cameras
- According to El Vocero a dedicated room features the five Puerto Rican Miss Universe winners and includes Marisol Malaret’s scepter displayed for the first time
- El Vocero states the free exhibition runs from October 13 to November 23 and is open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Historic gathering of crowns
All the crowns that have marked 75 years of Miss Universe history are gathered together for the first time in an exhibition open to the public. Puerto Rico is the venue for this historic meeting as part of Universe Experience Puerto Rico, an exhibition that brings together around 600 pieces including dresses, photographs, crowns and objects related to the international pageant and the trajectory of Puerto Rican queens. El Vocero reported
The exhibition is located on the second level of the former Sears space in Plaza Las Américas, El Vocero reported. It opens officially on Tuesday, October 13, the date on which Marisol Malaret (1949-2023), the first Puerto Rican to win the Miss Universe crown, would have turned 77. It will remain open until November 23 with completely free admission.
What the sources posted
Posts and statements below are the sources' own words, quoted as published. They are not independently verified.
Por fin se van a reunir todas las coronas de la historia de Miss Universo. Están aquí reunidas en Plaza Las Américas
Our translation: Finally all the crowns from the history of Miss Universe are going to be gathered. They are here gathered at Plaza Las Américas
The source's own statement, as quoted by El Vocero. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
Security and local focus
“Por fin se van a reunir todas las coronas de la historia de Miss Universo. Están aquí reunidas en Plaza Las Américas,” Joseph Da’Ponte, president of the Puerto Rico Fashion History Council and curator of the exhibition, told El Vocero. The crowns, which were in the offices of the international organization, required a complex transfer and security operation for their presentation. “Es la primera vez que las tenemos expuestas al público y qué honor que sea en Puerto Rico,” he added. The space has 24-hour surveillance and camera systems.
A dedicated room features the five Puerto Rican Miss Universe winners: Marisol Malaret, Deborah Carthy-Deu, Dayanara Torres, Denise Quiñones and Zuleyka Rivera, El Vocero reported. Among the most significant pieces is the scepter of Marisol Malaret, which will be exhibited for the first time, along with a space dedicated to her life and career.
Additional exhibits and visitor information
The exhibition includes photographs of international winners, a cinema room and an interactive space where visitors can wear crowns and sashes for photos, according to El Vocero. Visitors will also see emblematic dresses of queens such as Zuleyka Rivera, Denise Quiñones, Karla Guilfú and Madison Anderson, as well as creations by Puerto Rican designers including Carlos Alberto, Luis Antonio, Stella Nolasco, Eclíptica and Carlota Alfaro.
Da’Ponte told El Vocero that obtaining the pieces required numerous calls to former queens, designers and collectors. “Tuve reinas que cuando vieron sus trajes expuestos en el maniquí se llenaron de emoción, lloraron y todo. Revivir esos momentos es una experiencia,” he said. He recommends reserving at least one hour for the tour, which is available daily from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. without reservation. Fashion students will serve as guides along with staff from the Puerto Rico Fashion History Council.
Where the sources differ
The sources agree on the historic nature of gathering all Miss Universe crowns in Puerto Rico for the first time as part of the Universe Experience Puerto Rico exhibition at Plaza Las Américas. El Vocero provides extensive details on the 600 pieces, opening date, free admission, security measures, featured Puerto Rican winners, specific items like Malaret’s scepter, visitor information and multiple direct quotes from Joseph Da’Ponte. WAPA focuses on Puerto Rico’s historic role as the first international host of the Miss Universe pageant in 1972 in Dorado but does not mention the current exhibition or crowns. No numerical or factual conflicts exist between the sources used.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not specify the exact number of crowns on display, the total cost or funding source of the exhibition, details of the security operation beyond 24-hour surveillance and cameras, or whether any additional events or ceremonies are planned around the opening. They also do not indicate if the exhibition will travel elsewhere after November 23 or how many visitors are expected.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Reporting [EXCLUSIVO] Por primera vez en la historia: todas las coronas de Miss Universe llegan a Puerto Rico
- Reporting Puerto Rico primera sede internacional de Miss Universe
How we checked this
El Vocero supplied the large majority of details on the exhibition, the crowns, the Puerto Rican winners section and all statements from Joseph Da’Ponte. WAPA contributed background on Puerto Rico as the first international host of Miss Universe in 1972. All other information rests on the single El Vocero account.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.