Gladys Zender biography: 13 things about Miss Universe 1957

Who is Gladys Zender?

Gladys Rosa Zender de Meier is a Swiss-Peruvian model and beauty queen. She and her husband Enrique Antonio Meier Cresci Sr., also known as Antonio Meier, have four children together namely Sibylle Meier Zender, Karina Meier Zender, Antonio Meier Zender Jr. and Christian Dietrich Meier Zender.

Gladys was born in Contamana, Loreto, Peru to Eduardo Zender Honigman and Rosa Urbina di Negro. Eduardo is Swiss while Rosa is Peruvian.

Aside from being the first Miss Universe from Peru, Gladys is also one of the only two winners of the title who were minors during their coronation. Here are 13 more things about her:

1. She attended Colegio Santa Ursula in San Isidro, Lima, Peru.
2. She is 5’7″ tall.
3. In 1949, she was crowned Reina de la Primavera in San Isidro.
4. She won Miss Peru 1957 and Miss Universe 1957 at age 17.
5. In 1965, she and Antonio Sr. got married.
6. In 1966, she gave birth to Sibylle.
7. In 1968, she gave birth to Karina.
8. In 1969, she gave birth to Antonio Jr.
9. On June 23, 1970, she gave birth to Christian in Lima.
10. Her husband Antonio Sr. was the mayor of San Isidro, Lima, Peru from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2010.
11. She appeared in the “Mas Vale Tarde” episode that aired on November 27, 2007.
12. On December 28, 2024, her husband Antonio Sr. turned 85.
13. On October 19, 2025, she will turn 86.

TIMELINE

1957

1. On July 6, 1957, she represented Loreto at Miss Peru 1957 and competed against 14 other candidates at Teatro Municipal in Lima. She won the title.
2. On July 19, 1957, she represented Peru at Miss Universe 1957 and competed against 31 other candidates at the Long Beach Municipal Auditorium in Long Beach, California, United States. She won the title.
3. On August 10, 1957, she was welcomed by thousands of Peruvians when she arrived at the Aeropuerto Internacional de Limatambo in San Isidro.
4. On September 25, 1957, she traveled to Buenos Aires, Argentina.
5. On October 19, 1957, she turned 18.

1958

1. In March 1958, she accompanied Juan Carlos de Borbon during his time as a trainee aboard Spain’s insignia ship, the Sebastian Elcano.
2. On July 5, 1958, she crowned her successor Miss Peru 1958 Beatriz Boluarte at Teatro Municipal in Lima.
3. On July 25, 1958, she crowned her successor Miss Universe 1958 Luz Marina Zuluaga at the Long Beach Municipal Auditorium.