The pageant was won by Shawn Weatherly of South Carolina, who succeeded Mary Therese Friel of New York.

[1] Weatherly would later win the Miss Universe 1980 pageant, and first runner-up Jineane Ford of Arizona inherited the Miss USA title for the remainder of the year.

Weatherly later became an actress, featured in the television series Baywatch.

Due to protocol, Weatherly resigns her title as Miss USA 1980.

1st runner-up, Jineane Ford, replaces her as Miss USA.