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You will all remember her as the American who won the Miss Universe crown in Seoul back in 1980. You might also have recollections of her victory alongside a 3rd Runner-Up who happened to be the late Ma. Rosario ‘Chat’ Silayan. Or if you followed her career on TV, chances are you’ve seen some episodes of her season with “Baywatch” (where her character was killed by a shark) or the docudrama “OceanQuest”.

For many years now, Miss Universe 1980 Shawn Weatherly has been a Newport Beach resident where she is the loving wife to husband Chip Harris and a mother to grown-ups Jack & Jessie. Now, in this 2011 article by her friend Patrice Apodaca, she recalled her years before becoming Miss USA and during her reign as Miss Universe:

Shawn recalled with bemusement some of the strange idiosyncrasies of the beauty queen business. In the early days, she trained with other pageant hopefuls at a Sumter funeral home. Once, while practicing walking in a swimsuit and heels, she glanced down into an open coffin and exclaimed, “Oh my god, that’s Billy’s granddaddy!”

During her stint as Miss Universe, she lived in New York and enjoyed the perks of world travel. But she was also subject to some excruciatingly uncomfortable moments, like the time she made an appearance in Rockefeller Center in freezing weather wearing only a swimsuit and answering banal questions such as, “What’s your favorite meal?”

After retiring her crown, Shawn moved to California and took up acting. A big break came in 1985, when she starred in the five-episode docudrama, “OceanQuest,” which earned her an Emmy nomination. Her other most famous role was as a lifeguard in the TV series “Baywatch.” She has also appeared on “Chicago Hope,” “Thirtysomething” and most recently had a guest spot on “Cold Case.”

Let’s reminisce now and watch some of Shawn’s videos during MU1980 and ‘Baywatch’.

Shawn’s Final Q&A and Close-Up during Miss Universe 1980
courtesy of CEMAO

Shawn’s crowning moment as Miss Universe 1980
courtesy of Vids for Beauty Pageant Lovers

Shawn as a Baywatch Babe
courtesy of 72RedCode