Andersen was born in Honolulu, and attended Punahou School before moving to Millbrook, New York to study fashion design at Bennett College.

Despite receiving the highest scores in interview and swimsuit, in addition to having the highest averaged semifinal score, Andersen placed as the first runner-up to Margaret Gardiner of South Africa; this was the best result for an American delegate at Miss Universe since Amanda Jones placed as the first runner-up at Miss Universe 1973.

Afterwards, she began an acting career and appeared in television shows such as Fantasy Island, Magnum, P.I.

Later in her career, Andersen returned to Hawaii and owned and operated a chiropractic clinic.

This biography article about a United States contestant in a beauty pageant is a stub.