Martha Rocha

Maria Martha Hacker Rocha (born 19 September 1936) is a former Brazilian beauty pageant contestant. she also is the 1st Miss Universo Brasil winner in 1954. She is the seventh (of eleven) child of engineer Álvaro Rocha and housewife Hansa.

Miss Universe

At the age of 18, in 1954, after winning the title of Miss Bahia in her home state, she became the first Miss Brazil to become a finalist of the Miss Universe pageant. However, despite popular acclamation, even in the USA, who favored her to win the title of Miss Universe it was Miss USA, Miriam Stevenson, who won the title. According to legend, Miriam's hip measurement was 2 inches (51 mm) smaller than that of Martha. The narrower look was the "standard measure" at that time.^[1]

Few people know, but after her victory, Miriam donated one of the two cars she had won (at Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants) to Martha, since she already had one before even taking part in beauty pageants.

After Miss Universe, she worked as a model and advertising girl at Hollywood studios, for example she earned U$ 30,000 to do a Gessy Lever advertisement.

Brazilian culture

Ever since, Martha Rocha has been a Brazilian reference of beauty. In brazilian culture, her name is: a cake, a song, poetry, streets in state o Bahia, Santa Catarina and São Paulo.

Martha today

She was widowed at the age of 23 by Argentinean banker Álvaro Piano, he died in a plane crash. With him, Martha had two boys. He married for the second time with the Rio de Janeiro businessman Ronaldo Xavier de Lima, with whom he lived 13 years and had a daughter.

Martha participated in international horse championships alongside the Queen of England, met Prince Charles, among other celebrities.

In 2001 Martha was diagnosed with breast cancer but soon the disease was controlled.

With 77 years old, today she lives away from the hustle and bustle. She lives happily in Volta Redonda city, state of Rio de Janeiro and she is dedicated to the plastic arts. She also carved her hands on the Ipanema Walk of Fame in 2013.

Statements about Martha

At that time someone called the "golden years", everyone admired Martha, everyone wanted to date Martha. I was married, what a shame, I would not have made a song for her

— Tom Jobim, Brazilian singer

She incarnated Cinderella's dream of our adolescence

— Norma Bengell, Brazilian actress

She was always in the places, it was the biggest feeling to find with "the" miss. Martha had the greatest success because, besides beauty, she had charisma

— Jorge Guinle, Brazilian socialite, playboy

I never knew what was more beautiful if the eyes of Martha or the sea of Itapoã

— Nelson Rodrigues, Brazilian journalist/novelist

References