Margareta Arvidsson is the second Miss Universe from Sweden. The first one was Hillevi Rombin, who won the title in 1955.
Born in Gothenburg, Sweden, Arvidsson was 18 when she won Miss Universe 1966. She celebrated her 78th birthday on October 12, 2025.
Beyond the crown, Arvidsson built a life full of unique chapters. She was married to Brazilian photographer Otto Ernesto Stupakoff from 1969 to 1978. They have two children together: a daughter, Gabriella Stupakoff, born in 1970, and a son, Sef Stupakoff, born in 1974.
Today, Arvidsson leads a quieter life as a resident of Fairfield, Iowa, United States. She has remained engaged in civic life, notably endorsing the presidential bids of Des Moines, Iowa resident Marianne Williamson during the 2020 and 2024 election cycles.
Miss Universe 1966 coronation
The Miss Universe 1966 coronation night was held at the Miami Beach Auditorium in Miami Beach, Florida, United States on July 16, 1966. It is the 15th edition of the international beauty pageant founded by Catalina Swimwear manufacturer Pacific Knitting Mills.
“Lassie” star June Lockhart, then 41, “The Greatest Story Ever Told” actor Pat Boone, 32, and Jack Linkletter, then 28, hosted the show, which was aired on CBS. By the end of the evening, Arvidsson stood victorious.
Aside from winning the title, Arvidsson also won the Miss Photogenic award. The runners-up were:
- 1st runner-up: Satu Östring of Finland
- 2nd runner-up: Cheranand Savetanand of Thailand
- 3rd runner-up: Yasmin Daji of India
- 4th runner-up: Aviva Israeli of Israel
Miss Universe 1966 alumnae
A total of 58 women competed for the Miss Universe 1966 crown. Here are the candidates:
- Elba Beatriz Basso (Argentina)
- Sandra Fang (Aruba)
- Renate Polacek (Austria )
- Sandra Zoe Jarrett (Bahamas)
- Mireille De Man (Belgium)
- Marie Clarissa Trott (Bermuda)
- Maria Elena Borda (Bolivia)
- Ana Cristina Ridzi (Brazil)
- Marjorie Anne Schofield (Canada)
- Lorraine Roosmalecocq (Ceylon)
- Stella Dunnage Roberts (Chile)
- Edna Margarita Rudd Lucena (Colombia)
- Maria Virginia Oreamuno (Costa Rica)
- Lesbia Murrieta (Cuba)
- Elizabeth Sanchez (Curacao)
- Gitte Fleinert (Denmark)
- Martha Cecilia Andrade Alominia (Ecuador)
- Janice Carol Whiteman (England)
- Satu Charlotta Östring (Finland)
- Michèle Boulé (France)
- Marion Heinrich (Germany)
- Katia Balafouta (Greece )
- Barbara Jean Perez (Guam)
- Umblita Van Sluytman (Guyana)
- Margo Isabelle Domen (Holland)
- Erla Traustadóttir (Iceland)
- Yasmin Daji (India)
- Gladys Anne Waller (Ireland)
- Aviva Israeli (Israel)
- Paola Bassolino (Italy)
- Beverly Savory (Jamaica)
- Atsumi Ikeno (Japan)
- Yoon Gui-young (Korea)
- Yolla George Harb (Lebanon)
- Gigi Antinori (Luxembourg)
- Helen Lee Siew Lien (Malaysia)
- Joelle Lesage (Morocco)
- Heather Gettings (New Zealand)
- Siri Gro Nilsen (Norway)
- Yoneko Kiyan (Okinawa)
- Dionisia Broce (Panama)
- Mirtha Martínez Sarubbi (Paraguay)
- Madeline Hartog-Bel Houghton (Peru)
- Maria Clarinda Garces Soriano (Philippines)
- Carol Bajandas (Puerto Rico)
- Linda Ann Lees (Scotland)
- Margaret van Meel (Singapore)
- Lynn Carol De Jager (South Africa)
- Paquita Torres Pérez (Spain)
- Joyce Magda Leysner (Surinam)
- Margareta Arvidsson (Sweden)
- Hedy Frick (Switzerland)
- Cheranand Savetanand (Thailand)
- Kathleen Hares (Trinidad and Tobago)
- Nilgün Arslaner (Turkey)
- Maria Judith Remenyi (United States)
- Magally Beatriz Castro Egui (Venezuela)
- Christine Heller (Wales)
On November 16, 1967, Hartog-Bel represented Peru at Miss World 1967 and competed against 53 other candidates at the Lyceum Ballroom in London, England, United Kingdom. She won the title.
On September 13, 1969, Östring represented Finland at Miss International 1969 and competed against 47 other candidates at Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Japan. She was runner-up to Valerie Susan Holmes of Britain.
On August 13, 2003, Van Sluytman turned 57. On July 30, 2004, she died in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
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