The first Miss World of the decade, hosted by the legendary Bob Hope, was marred when protesters booed, pelting the stage with smoke bombs and flour. Bob Hope shook his head and remarked, "Anyone who would try and break up an affair as wonderful as this has got to be some kind of dope."

Two black women -- Jennifer Hosten of Grenada and Pearl Jansen of Africa South -- were first and second. This had never happened before at a major international pageant. But the feat was repeated 23 years later in 1993. (In that year, before apartheid was abolished, there was a black Miss Africa South and a white Miss South Africa.)

Despite feminist protests, Miss World was captivating television audiences throughout the 1960s and 1970s. In the UK, Miss World 1970 was the single most-watched show of the entire year.

But despite its popularity, 1973 was a difficult year. The United States enjoyed its first Miss World victory. But Marjorie Wallace of Indiana was dethroned just under four months into her reign, deemed as having failed to live up to the "first-class public image" of the position.

Marjorie became embroiled in scandal after accusing a British soccer star of stealing a fur coat and valuables from her apartment. She also received criticism for a TV appearance where she kissed and smooched with singer Tom Jones. Patsy Yuen (Miss Jamaica) served as the unofficial Miss World for the rest of the year. But Marjorie Wallace remains the official Miss World 1973.

The next year was not much better: the winner resigned after just four days. Helen Morgan of  the UK turned her back on the title after citing her involvement in a cabaret dancer's divorce case, and following the uproar over revelations of her being the unmarried mother of an 18-month-old son.

Rival contestant Alicia Rivas of Venezuela summed up the view held by some. "In my country," she said, "a girl who has a baby without being married is regarded as a bad girl, not pure and undefiled as we are led to believe Miss World should be."

With Helen out of the picture, the first runner-up, Anneline Kriel (Miss South Africa) became the official Miss World 1974.

The 1975 contest marked Miss World's 25th anniversary. And after two years of controversy it was important that the contest pass by without hitch.

Wilnelia Merced (Miss Puerto Rico) won that year's competition. She went on to enjoy a successful and scandal free reign. But it could have turned out differently had one of her rivals won. Just one day after the contest, hot favourite for the crown -- Marina Langner of Germany -- appeared semi-nude in the UK tabloid The Sun. Three scandalous years in a row could have been the boa feather that broke the pageant's back.