Suomen Neito (English: Maiden of Finland) was a traditional Finnish beauty pageant held in the 1950s, 1960s, 1986, and from 1990 to 2007. The pageant began in 1952 when Armi Kuusela was crowned as the first Suomen Neito, which qualified her for the inaugural Miss Universe pageant, where she became its first titleholder. From 1986 to 2006, Suomen Neito winners represented Finland in the Miss World pageant. However, in 2007, the pageant's significance diminished with the introduction of a new selection process, leading to its disbandment.[1]
In 1962 and 1991, the Suomen Neito pageants were held concurrently with the Miss Finland pageant. Miss Finland (Finnish: Miss Suomi), established in 1931, is the oldest and most prominent beauty pageant in Finland.
Titleholders
edit| Year | Winner | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1952 | Armi Kuusela | Subsequently Miss Universe 1952 |
| 1953 | Teija Sopanen | |
| 1954 | Lenita Airisto | |
| 1955 | Sirkku Talja | |
| 1962 | Aulikki Järvinen | 2nd runner-up at Miss Universe 1962 |
| 1963 | Nadine Gustafsson | |
| 1986 | Satu-Riitta Alaharja | |
| 1990 | Nina Björkfelt | |
| 1991 | Nina Autio | |
| 1992 | Petra von Hellens | |
| 1993 | Janina Frostell | |
| 1994 | Mia Forsell | |
| 1995 | Terhi Koivisto | |
| 1996 | Hanna Hirvonen | |
| 1997 | Minna Lehtinen | |
| 1998 | Maaret Nousiainen | |
| 1999 | Maria Laamanen | |
| 2000 | Salima Peippo | |
| 2001 | Jenni Hietanen | |
| 2002 | Hanne Hynynen | |
| 2003 | Johanna Hynninen | |
| 2004 | Niina Tikanmäki | |
| 2005 | Saana Anttila | |
| 2006 | Jenniina Tuokko | |
| 2007 | Essi Hellstén |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Suomen Neito -kilpailu historiaan?" (in Finnish). MTV.fi. 30 June 2008. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
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