Gladys Zender was the pioneer of Latinas in Miss Universe, the world’s most prestigious beauty pageant. In 1957, at just 17 years old, she was named the most beautiful woman in the world in Long Beach, California, USA.
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His triumph caused a stir due to his youth and it had to be clarified that he was considered of legal age in Peru since he was more than six months older than his date of birth, according to the Mag section of El Comercio.
The life of Gladys Zender
Gladys was born on October 19, 1939, the daughter of Swiss architect Eduardo Zender Honigman and Peruvian Rosa Urbina Di Negro of Italian descent.
In her youth, the Peruvian shone not only with her beauty, but also with her elegance and friendliness.
Before she married the politician and economist Antonio Meier in 1965, with whom she had four children, including the well-known singer and actor Christian MeierHe had a close relationship with then-Prince Juan Carlos I of Spain, who visited Peru in 1958, notes La República.
She herself confessed years later that she had met the monarch during a dinner offered in his honor when he arrived in Lima aboard the training ship Juan Sebastián Elcano.
“I was lucky enough to be the official couple who accompanied the then Prince Juan Carlos to this dinner. During the time he was in Lima, numerous events were organized and I was always invited to accompany him,” she said in a 2014 interview reported by the aforementioned media.
Although a romance between them was never confirmed, there was said to be great chemistry and mutual admiration.
“King Juan Carlos and I have developed a wonderful friendship. When he became king he visited Lima several times and together with my husband Antonio we saw him every time he came. We had the opportunity to talk to him many times and reminisce about old times. “The last time I saw him was in 2008, during the Latin America, Caribbean and EU Summit, when my husband was already mayor of San Isidro, the financial district of Lima,” the beauty queen said in an interview quoted by Trade.
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Today, the former Miss Universe is 84 years old and leads a quiet and discreet life away from the spotlight. La República points out that she is still happily married to Antonio Meier, with whom she celebrated her golden anniversary.
The main actor of productions such as “La Tormenta”, “El Zorro: la sangre y la rosa” and “Doña Bárbara” usually shares on his social networks photos of his mother in special moments such as trips, excursions, etc. memories when he was a child. (AND)