At the end of the event, actress Julie Adams crowned Christiane Martel from France as Miss Universe 1953.

[4][5] Contestants from twenty-six countries and territories competed in this year's pageant, marking the smallest turnout to date for Miss Universe as of 2023.

One contestant was selected after another national pageant was held to replace the original dethroned winner.

[8] The 1953 edition saw the debuts of Austria and Switzerland, and the withdrawals of Chile, Cuba, Great Britain, Hong Kong, India, and Israel after their respective organizations failed to hold a national competition or designate a contestant.

[9] However, the Miss Singapore contest was postponed to next year due to lack of time and preparation.