Overview
- Her death was announced Dec. 22 on her official Instagram, which confirmed she was 80 and nine days from her Dec. 31 birthday.
- Details about the cause and manner of death have not been disclosed.
- Crowned Miss Universe in 1963, she was the first Brazilian to win the title and is credited with expanding Brazil’s profile on the global stage.
- Her daughter, Fernanda Vargas, called her “a warrior” in a public message and expressed love and gratitude for her mother.
- Miss Universe Brazil issued a tribute praising how she “opened ways,” while the Miss Universe Organization offered condolences and shared archival crowning footage on X.