13 things about Miss Universe 1953 Christiane Martel

Christiane Martel is the first Miss Universe from France. The second one is Iris Mittenaere.

BIOGRAPHY

Martel is a French actress and beauty queen. She starred in the Mexican comedy film “Abajo El Telón” in 1955 and in the Mexican films “Corazón Salvaje”, “Bataclan Mexicano” and “Adam and Eve” in 1956.

In 1957, Martel starred in the Mexican films “Cien Muchachas” and “Viva El Amor!” In 1959, she starred in the Mexican films “Señoritas”, “The Little Savage”, “La Estampida” and “Yo Pecador” and the Italian film “Tipi da Spiaggia”.

In 1960, Martel starred in the Italian films “Howlers of the Dock” and “San Remo: The Big Challenge” and the Mexican film “Poker de Reinas”. In 1961, she starred in the Mexican films “Ojos Tapatios”, “El Padre Pistol”, “The Guns of Juana Gallo” and “Rosa Blanca” and the Italian film “Leoni Al Sole” and in 1962, she starred in the Italian film “Tharus Figlio di Attila”.

On June 4, 2011, Martel graced the red carpet of Elle Mexico Disena in Veracruz, Mexico and in 2017, she was interviewed in the Mexican television show “Sala el Sol”. Here are 13 more things about her:

1. Her birth name is Christiane Magnani.
2. She is of French and Italian descent.
3. She was born in Nancy, Meurthe-et-Moselle, France.
4. She was raised in Piennes, Meurthe-et-Moselle, Martel.
5. Her first husband was Ronnie Marengo.
6. Her second husband is Miguel Aleman Velasco.
7. She and Velasco have three daughters namely Carla Alemán Magnani, Claudia Alemán Magnani and Mónica Alemán Magnani and one son named Miguel Alemán Magnani.
8. She is 5’6″ tall.
9. She is the second Miss Universe and the first French woman to hold the title.
10. In 1931, Martel’s sister Georgette Magnani, also known as Georgette Martel, starred in the Belgian-Italian film “La Sérénade”.
11. She won Miss Châtellerault 1952 and Miss Cinémonde 1953 before becoming Miss Universe 1953.
12. From 1954 to 1958, her sister Georgette was married to Vincente Minnelli.
13. On January 18, 2025, she turned 93. 

Miss France and Miss Universe

On July 9, 1953, Martel visited the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island in New York City, New York, USA. On July 17, 1953, she represented France at Miss Universe 1953 and competed against 25 other candidates in Long Beach, California, United States.

Martel won the title. She was crowned by “Bend of the River” actress Julie Adams.

On July 24, 1954, Martel crowned her successor Miss Universe 1954 Miriam Stevenson in Long Beach. On July 24, 1978, Martel served as a judge at Miss Universe 1978 at the Centro de Convenciones de Acapulco in Acapulco, Mexico.

On May 23, 1989, Martel attended the Miss Universe 1989 coronation ceremony at the Fiesta Americana Condesa Hotel in Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico. She also attended the coronation ceremonies of Miss Universe 1993 at the Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City, Mexico on May 21, 1993 and Miss Universe 2007 at the Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City on May 28, 2007.

On November 10, 2011, Martel attended the Miss France 2012 gala night at the Hotel Camino Real in Mexico City. On December 3, 2011, she attended the coronation night in Brest, Finistère, France.

Ronnie Marengo and Miguel Velasco

On January 11, 1954, Martel married Marengo in Hollywood, California, USA. In 1955, they divorced.

On March 20, 1961, Martel married Miguel. On April 2, 1987, Laurent Maous photographed the couple in France.

On October 18, 2010, Martel and Miguel attended the “Biutful” premiere at Cinemex Antara Polanco in Mexico City and on November 7, 2010, they attended the opening race of the Temporada Grande 2010-2011 at Plaza de Toros in Mexico City. On February 20, 2011, they went to Plaza de Toros to watch a bull fighting as part of the 17th race of the Temporada Grande 2010-2011.

On September 20, 2014, Martel and Miguel attended Sophia Loren’s 80th birthday dinner at Museo Soumaya in Mexico City. On November 2, 2015, they attended the “Spectre” premiere at Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City.