The former French actress and beauty queen Christiane Martel has been in the spotlight since the 1950s after emerging as Miss Universe in 1953. Interestingly, she became the only French woman to have held the title for over half a century until Iris Mittenaere in 2016. Following her pageantry influence, she got into the entertainment industry and made appearances in several films and television shows before retiring in 1962.
Christiane career in the entertainment industry was less than a decade. However, she continued to contribute to the pageantry world and it is no surprise that many people are curious to know what she has been up to in recent times. Here’s all to know.
A Brief Biography of Christiane Martel
Christiane Martel was born Christiane Magnani to a modest family of Italian descent on January 18, 1936, and she’s 89 years old at the moment. From established records, she grew up in Piennes alongside her younger sister, Georgette Magnani but her parents later moved to Western France following the Second World War that lasted between 1939 and 1945.
After a few years precisely in 1940, they moved to London where Martel’s passion for arts was ignited. However, there are no details on her educational pursuit and one can’t say if she had any formal training before starting her career in the entertainment industry.
She was the Second Woman to Win Miss Universe in 1953
As hinted earlier, Christiane Martel holds the distinction of being the only French woman to have held the Miss Universe title until Iris Mittenaere claimed the crown in 2016. Her journey to the Miss Universe stage began when she was crowned Miss Châtellerault in 1952. It was this win that opened the doors for her to compete in the prestigious Miss Universe pageant the following year.
The event took place in Long Beach, California, where Martel’s beauty and intelligence outmatched other contestants and earned her the title, succeeding Armi Kuusela of Finland. She was then crowned by actress Julie Adams, who had held the title of Miss Universe 1952. The title included a movie contract with Universal-International Studio, through which she played minor roles in several films.
Following her reign as Miss Universe, Martel later pursued a career in international films and made notable appearances in movies such as “Yankee Pasha”, “So This Is Paris”, “Drop the Curtain” the 1956 version of “Corazón Salvaje”, “Viva el Amor!,” “Rosa Blanca,” and her last film “Leoni al Sole” in 1961. Despite her short film career, she was able to earn lead roles and starred in over 30 movies.
She is by all accounts one of the last surviving stars from the Golden Age of Mexican cinema and continues to make contributions to the entertainment industry.
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Christiane Martel Has Been Married Twice
Christiane Martel is currently married to Miguel Alemán Velasco and they have been a couple for over half a century. However, she was first married to Ronnie Marengo, the son of the owner of the K&M Department Store. The pair first met in the mid-50s while attending the opening of a K&M outlet in Hollywood.
This was during the early years of her career. Her then-husband was an heir to a department store fortune, and their marriage attracted attention due to their prominent backgrounds. However, their relationship did not stand the test of time, and they eventually divorced in 1955.
In 1961, Martel entered into her second marriage with Miguel Alemán Velasco, a prominent figure in Mexican society. Velasco’s father, Miguel Alemán Valdés, served as the President of Mexico from 1946 to 1952. Aside from his family’s fame, Velasco himself had a successful career in various fields. He was not only an actor and singer but also a businessman and politician. He later went on to become the Governor of Veracruz (1998 -2004).
Their marriage has seen the birth of three daughters and one son. Their son, Miguel Alemán Magnani, went on to become a stakeholder in Televisa, one of the largest media companies in the Spanish-speaking world. Additionally, he became the owner of Interjet, a low-cost airline operating in Mexico.
Martel in an interview described her marriage to Valasco as a fairy tale and expressed her excitement of being with the right guy.
What is Christiane up to at the Moment?
At 89 years old, Christiane Martel is enjoying a well-deserved retirement. While she has maintained privacy on matters regarding her private life, she often spends time with her family, including her four children and numerous grandchildren.
Martel has also maintained her connection to the Miss Universe pageant throughout her life and she even served as a celebrity judge at the Miss Universe pageant in 1978. Additionally, she has made several television appearances at the Miss Universe pageants held in Mexico, including 1989, 1993, and 2007. Her last television appearance in France was at the Miss France pageant on December 3, 2011.
In 2017, Martel was interviewed on the Mexican TV show “Sale el Sol” and has continued to be a part of the entertainment industry. Despite her age, Martel continues to be an influential figure in Mexican society. She has also been actively involved in various philanthropic endeavors, particularly those focused on improving the lives of women and children.
