Miss Universo Italia

The pageant was first organized in 1951 and it is not related to Miss Italia, although some delegates have crossed over from one format to the other throughout the years.

Since 1951, the official winner of Miss Italy represented at the Miss Universe until 1999 with the exception of a few select years in which a delegate was selected by casting or an independent pageant.

Maria Teresa Francville had already won the right to represent Italy that year by virtue of winning The Miss for Miss Universe.

When that pageant lost the franchise and was discontinued, she entered the newly created Miss Universo Italia competition and won again.

At Miss Universo Italia, candidates traditionally wear sashes representing their regions.