Miriam Jaross became the first ever Malkat HaYofi (מלכת היופי‎) or Miss Israel in 1950. She crowned her successor Michal Herison in 1951.

In 1952, Ora Jamili became the first ever Miss Universe Israel. In 1953, Havatzelet Drillman became the first ever Miss World Israel.

Sara Binshtok is the first woman from Israel to place in Miss Universe. Competing against 29 other candidates, she finished in the Top 15 at Miss Universe 1956 at the Long Beach Municipal Auditorium in Long Beach, California, United States on July 20, 1956.

Malkat HaYofi 1961

The 12th edition of Malkat HaYofi took place on May 30, 1961. Here are the winners:

PLACEMENT	CANDIDATE
2nd runner-up	Er’ela Hod
1st runner-up	Atida Pisanti Haifa
Malkat HaYofi 1961	Dalia Lion Haifa

Miss Universe 1961

On July 15, 1961, Atida Pisanti represented Israel at Miss Universe 1961 at the Miami Beach Auditorium in Miami Beach, Florida, USA. She competed against 47 other candidates including Marlene Schmidt of West Germany, who won the title.

Runner-up to Schmidt was Rosemarie Frankland of Wales. The respective second, third and fourth runners-up were Adriana Gardiazabal of Argentina, Arlette Dobson of England and Sharon Brown of the U.S.

Pisanti finished in the Top 15. Brown was Miss Photogenic and Eleftheria Deloutsi of Greece was Miss Congeniality.

Miss International 1961

On July 28, 1961, Dalia Lion represented Israel at Miss International 1961 at the Long Beach Auditorium. She competed against 51 other candidates including Stanny van Baer of the Netherlands, who won the title.

Runner-up to van Baer was Vera Brauner Menezes of Brazil. The respective second, third and fourth runners-up were Carmen Cervera of Spain, Edna MacVicar of Canada and Sigrun Ragnarsdóttir of Iceland.

Lion finished in the Top 15. Van Baer was Miss Photogenic, Mónica Moore Davie of Uruguay was Miss Congeniality and Tahia Piehi of Tahiti was Miss Popularity.