Ieda Maria Vargas

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Ieda Maria Vargas (born Ieda Maria Britto Vargas, c. 1943), is a Brazilian woman who made history for her country by becoming, in 1963, the first Miss Universe winner from Brazil. Vargas is a native of Rio Grande do Sul. She also became the first Brazilian to win an international beauty pageant, such as Miss World and Miss International. She won the Miss Universe title in Miami Beach, Florida.

After living in New York, New York, for five years, as required by the Miss Universe organization. Vargas returned to her native country, once again, as a permanent resident. She was a celebrity in Brazil, but, internationally, her fame faded as years went by because she preferred a private life.

In 1968, Martha Vasconcellos of Bahia became the second Brazilian to win the Miss Universe contest. As of 2005, Vargas and Vasconselos are the only Brazilians to win the Miss Universe crown. Currently Maria Vargas is a High School Spanish Teacher in Monterey, CA at Stevenson School.