Jamaica undoubtedly has some of the most beautiful and exotic women in the world.

Our island may be small but we have produced breathtaking beauties throughout the years who have conquered the world and, at times, even the ‘universe’.

Even if you feel a pinch of jealousy, a quick Google search will prove our theory. Check the records of the international beauty pageants.

Jamaica stays on top, in the final rounds, even copping the winning title countless times.

Here are a few of the Jamaican beauties that have enchanted the world and stunningly embody the motto of our island home: out of many one people.

Marguerite LeWars

Marguerite LeWars was Jamaica’s first representative at Miss Universe in 1961 and she was later featured in the first James Bond film “Dr. No” where she played the role of Dr. No's photographer, Annabel Chung.

Carole Joan Crawford

The first ever Miss World crown for Jamaica was won by Carole Joan Crawford in 1963.

At age 20, standing at 5’3 (1.59 meters), she is the shortest Miss World in history and she was also the first woman of color to be crowned. 

To celebrate her momentous victory, three million postage stamps were issued in her honor.

Crawford currently resides in Canada.




Cindy Breakspeare

Jamaica captured the coveted Miss World crown for the 2nd time when Cynthia Jean Cameron Breakspeare, popularly known as Cindy Breakspeare, won in 1976. 

Two years later, she gained further fame when she began to date Reggae legend Bob Marley and gave birth to their only child and a future icon himself, the Grammy-winning reggae musician, Damian “Jr. Gong” “Gongzilla” Marley.

Breakspeare is currently a musician and producer and continues to be a popular Jamaican public figure.




Cathy Levy

Cathy Levy, a renowned Jamaican beauty queen who became a popular personality and actress, placed fourth at Miss World in 1983 and enjoyed a noteworthy turn in the Denzel Washington film ‘The Mighty Quinn’ with another well-known Jamaican actress, Sheryl Lee Ralph.

Nowadays, she is heavily invested in children’s theatre on the island.

Allison Jean Barnett 

She was followed by Allison Jean Barnett in 1985 who managed to place fifth.

Allison was a huge favorite at Miss World that year but she stumbled during her interview segment which was a possible reason for her missing out on the crown.

Sandra Foster

In 1989, the stunning super-beauty Sandra Foster secured a top 10 placement at the Miss Universe pageant.

Not deterred by her loss, she entered the Miss Jamaica World contest and won, making her the first Jamaican to win both Miss Jamaica Universe and Miss Jamaica World titles.

She placed fourth at Miss World in 1991 as well as being named the Caribbean Queen of Beauty.


Kimberley Mais

In that same year, Jamaica was placed in the top five at the Miss Universe pageant represented by Kimberley Mais.

Mais’ continued her success with Pulse model agency as a global supermodel.

Lisa Hanna

1993 would see Jamaica having its third awarding of the prestigious Miss World crown with the very brilliant, poised, demure, and articulate Lisa Hanna.

She later entered representational politics and served as a Minister of Youth and Culture during the 2011 People’s National Party administration and continues to serve her country as a political representative.

Christine Straw

After Lisa’s win, it took Jamaica another five years before Christine Straw made it to the semi-finals at Miss World 1998.

Michelle Moodle

Also noteworthy was Michelle Moodie’s crowning as Caribbean Queen of Beauty at Miss World 1997.

Sanya Hughes

In 2002, Sanya Hughes represented Jamaica at the Miss Universe pageant.

She did not place in the coveted Top 10, however, her impact was undeniable as she was selected by world-renowned Global Beauties as the “sexiest woman of the Americas” in 2002.

After the pageant, Sanya continued her modeling career with Pulse model agency and in 2011 she had a small role as “Mermaid” in the ninth highest-grossing film of all time worldwide, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.

Christine Straw (again)

In 2004, Christine Straw also followed in her predecessor, Sandra Foster’s footsteps to become the second Jamaican woman to win both the Miss Jamaica Universe and Miss Jamaica World titles.

She also made the top 10, as she did at Miss World six years earlier.

Tonoya Toyloy

In that same year, Tonoya Toyloy represented Jamaica at Miss World where she received a scholarship that she used to pursue a Ph.D. in Pharmacy, graduating in 2009.

Terri-Karelle Reid

In 2005, the bubbly Terri-Karelle Reid represented Jamaica at Miss World and made the semi-finals.

She is the host of the immensely popular Digicel Rising Stars talent competition on Television Jamaica as well as other roles and is a widely beloved public figure.

Sara Lawrence

The following year in 2006, Sara Lawrence, placed fourth - the highest placement since Lisa Hanna. She went on to become a medical doctor and the first Caribbean ambassador for L’Oreal Paris.

Yendi Phillips

In 2007, quintessential beauty Yendi Phillips was crowned the new Miss Jamaica World.

She would later create history at Miss World by being the first and only contestant to make the finals of all the fast-track events: beach beauty, sports, talent, top model, and Beauty with a Purpose.

During the Miss World telecast, she made the Top 16 and Global Beauties named her gown, designed by Uzuri International, “the most beautiful evening gown” in all the international beauty pageants for 2007.

Yendi’s quest for an international crown continued as she later re-entered the pageant world, this time representing Jamaica at the 2010 Miss Universe pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada.

She did her country proud yet again by placing second, Jamaica’s highest placement ever in Miss Universe.




Kaci Fennell

In January 2015, Kaci Fennell represented Jamaica at the Miss Universe pageant in Miami, Florida.

She was the clear international favorite throughout the competition finishing as fourth runner-up.

Leading up to the pageant and beyond, Kaci received tremendous support from Jamaicans at home and in the diaspora.

Most Jamaicans, as well as the international audience, openly embraced Kaci’s unique and distinguished features, noticeably her short hair and striking facial bone structure.

Many pageant fanatics believed that Kaci was the clear winner, which led to many media outlets reporting that she was robbed of the Miss Universe crown.

A beauty queen factory 

Over the decades, Jamaica has produced several beauties that have conquered the globe.

Their impact has been felt both on and off the stage, as many of them continue to blaze a trail in their respective careers.

It’s safe to say that the future of Jamaican beauty and pageantry looks promising.

On any given weekend in Jamaica, a bevy of island beauties can be spotted at some of the finest chill spots.

Our island may be small, but the impact of our queens is unprecedented.