Miss Universe 1974 was the 23rd Miss Universe pageant, held on 21 July 1974[a][1] at the Folk Arts Theater in the Pasay, Philippines. It was the first Miss Universe pageant to ever be held in the Philippines, and in extension, Asia.[2] Margarita Moran of the Philippines crowned her successor Amparo Muñoz of Spain at the end of the event, marking the first and so far only time Spain has ever won a Miss Universe competition.
There were 65 delegates from around the world who competed for the 1974 title. Six months later, Amparo Muñoz, after refusing a planned travel to Japan, decided to relinquish her title.[3] Helen Morgan, the first runner-up, was unable to assume the title and fulfill the duties of Miss Universe 1974,[citation needed] because she went on to win Miss World 1974, although a controversy would force her to resign 4 days later.[4] The title of Miss Universe 1974 was not offered to any of the runners-up and Amparo Muñoz still remained as the official titleholder for that year.
Sixty-five contestants competed for the title.
Wales – Helen Elizabeth Morgan competed in Miss World in 1974 then securing the crown. Shortly after she was resign after the organization found out she upon the media creating extremely negative and lurid headlines as she was an unwed mother with an 18-month-old son..svg/1280px-Flag_of_South_Africa_(1928-1982).svg.png){kind=small}
South Africa – Anneline Kriel was originally 1st Runner-up in the pageant and then she becoming successor after Helen's resign from Miss World in 1974.