BRAZIL: Revenge

Year ago all Brazil was on tiptoes of excitement when its champion, svelte, olivaster Senhorita Olga Bergamini De Sa entered the International Beauty Contest at Galveston, Tex. (TIME, June 24, 1929).

Despite luncheons and teaparties in New York by the Brazilian consul general and that fervent admirer of Brazilian beauty, the Electric Bond & Share Corp., despite special wires relaying minute by minute descriptions of Miss Brazil’s doings to South America, she did not win. Worst of all, with ten prizes to be awarded, she did not even place. The affaire Bergamini-Galveston almost became a diplomatic incident. Brazilians swore a mighty oath that never, never again would they send one of their fair daughters to exhibit herself before unappreciative Galvestonians.

Last week Brazil had her own International Beauty Contest. In a field of beauties from France, Germany, Turkey, etc. etc. the 1930 Miss Brazil, Srta Yolanda Pereira won hands down, was formally crowned Miss Universe, handed a check for $10,000, and cheered to the echo. Brazil’s mother country, Portugal, won second prize, Greece third. Completely disregarded was a blonde known as Miss United States.

“Frankly,” said the Brazilian foreman of the jury, “I am unable to appreciate the so-called blonde Nordic type.”