Miss World: Meet the first South African winner, Penny Rey

The first South African representative to win the Miss World pageant was Penelope “Penny” Anne Rey, formerly Coelen back in 1958. Here’s five things to know about the former beauty queen.

10 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT PENNY REY: THE FIRST SOUTH AFRICAN TO WIN MISS WORLD

• Penny Rey was only the third woman to be crowned Miss SA in 1958. She followed Norma Vorster (1956) and Adele Kruger (1957).
• In October 1958, Penny represented South Africa at the Miss World pageant held in London, UK – where she was crowned Miss World.
• She made history as the first South African to be crowned Miss World.
• She also made history as the first major international titleholder in Africa.
• Penny is a former actress and managed her own clothing line and endorsed beauty products.
• She later trained as a beauty therapist and launched her own salon, according to The North Coast Courtier.
• She was married to French Dolphin Coast sugarcane farmer Michel “Micky” Rey for 59 years. He unfortunately passed away in 2019 after battling cancer and dementia.
• Penny is a mom of five sons. However, she lost her son Nicholas Rey in 2016 – 12 years after he fell off a horse in a freak accident. He was left with a severe brain injury which left him paralysed and unable to speak.
• She is now a grandmother of 15.
• Penny lived in the Zimbali estate in Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal.