Marisol Malaret Contreras, born on October 13, 1949, in Utuado, Puerto Rico, made history in 1970 by becoming the first Puerto Rican to win the Miss Universe title. At the age of 20, she was crowned during the 19th Miss Universe pageant held in Miami Beach, Florida. Following her win, Malaret became a prominent figure in Puerto Rican media, working as a model, television host, and motivational speaker. Her victory paved the way for future Puerto Rican beauty queens on international stages. Malaret passed away on March 19, 2023, at the age of 73, leaving a legacy of elegance and empowerment for Puerto Rican women.