Miss Universe 1956

Selection of participants Contestants from thirty countries and territories were selected to compete in the pageant. This is the last edition before 2023 where women who are married and have children can participate. Two contestants were selected to replace the original dethroned winner. Replacements Guðlaug Guðmundsdóttir, the first runner-up of Miss Iceland 1956, was appointed to replace Miss Iceland 1956 Ágústa Guðmundsdóttir after it was discovered that the latter was already married. Edith Noble Nakpil was replaced by Isabel Escobar Rodriguez as the representative of the Philippines due to undisclosed reasons. Debuts, returns, and withdrawals This edition saw the debuts of the British Guiana, the Dominican Republic, Holland, and Iceland, and the returns of Turkey and Peru, which last competed in 1953 and 1954, respectively. Mirva Arvinen of Finland withdrew for undisclosed reasons. Ceylon, El Salvador, Honduras, Lebanon, Nicaragua, Norway, South Korea, and the West Indies withdrew after their respective organizations failed to hold a national competition or designate a contestant. == Results ==

Placements Special awards == Pageant ==

Format Same with 1955, fifteen semi-finalists were chosen at the preliminary competition that consists of the swimsuit and evening gown competition. Each of the fifteen semi-finalists gave a short speech during the final telecast using their native languages. Afterwards, the fifteen semi-finalists paraded again in their swimsuits and evening gowns, and the five finalists were eventually chosen. • Earl Wilson – American journalist and columnist • Alberto Vargas – Peruvian-American painter known for his "Vargas Girls" • Max Factor – American businessman and make-up man • Claude Berr – Founder and president of the ''Comité International Pour L'election de Miss Europe'' == Contestants ==

Thirty contestants competed for the title. == Notes ==