Dorothy Benham Crowning

[Reginald606]

Dorothy Benham Miss America 1977 is now a Recording artist and very talented Soprano opera Singer.

[Reginald606]

The Crowning of Soprano Dorothy Benham Miss America 1977

[Nelaelu]

Soprano Dorothy Benham Miss America 1977 is the Second Miss America from the State of Minnesota She was Crowned Miss America 1977 on the 1976 Miss America Telecast of Sept.11,1977

[Nelaelu]

Soprano Dorothy Benham Miss America 1977 is the Second Miss America from the State of Minnesota

[hoyageorge]

The Pageant needs to return to Atlantic City. It's lost its luster since moving away.

[julianawztv]

If you see her now, she has aged very well, she look 40 instead of 50 plus

[ManTexDal]

Now this is HOW Miss America should STILL be done , HOW I miss the glitz and glammor of the Miss America pageant of the 70s and early 80s

[Juliaflo]

Deborah Lipford, Miss Delaware 1976, was the first African-American to make the top 10.

[blackonyx2002]

I also heard she has 7 kids. She looks amazing if she gave birth to all of them.

[MadsMcG55]

I would just like to say that her last name is still Benham, and for those of you (sexytrannie) who think that she is nothing special, then you obviously havent looked into the facts that MiaKate9988 has said, because all of those are correct. She went into pageants never have competing before and won every single won.

[dennismk12002]

I haven't been sure if Dorothy returned to Atlantic City to celebrate the 25th anniversary of her crowning after the tragic events of 9/11/2001 (the pageant was held the following week).

[dennismk12002]

CORRECTION: Laurel Lea Schaefer (1971) was the 10th Miss America crowned on 9/11.

[dennismk12002]

Since Dorothy's year of service, Minnesota had its third Miss America (Gretchen Carlson, 1989). Also, two of our Vice Presidents, Hubert Humphrey and Walter Mondale, came from Dorothy's home state.

[dennismk12002]

Now 55, Dorothy was the eighth of the nine Miss Americas crowned on 9/11 (she was crowned on that date in 1976). The other eight were Norma Smallwood (1926), Bette Cooper (1937), Jean Bartel (1943), BeBe Shoppe (1948 and from Dorothy's home state, Minnesota), Lee Meriwether (1954 and the first crowned on television), Deborah Bryant (1965), and Debra Maffett (1982).

[tubeviewerbalpha9217]

Youtubed her after her appearance on the 2011 pageant. Congrats to go her for still being exceptionally hot. Impossible to tell her age. Also checked out her talent after reading a few comments here. The comments here are right, she would've been a contender for the title at any pageant.

[blackonyx2002]

Miss Delaware Deborah Lipford was the 1st African American to place in the top 10 that year.

[NJNupe1911]

@blackonyx2002

THANK YOU for stating that I was looking at her wondering if she was black, wow!

[3oh3fastpitcherrr303]

i know Dorothy Benham :) (whos last name is not Benham anymore)

shes my sisters best friends mom

shes really nice and still really pretty

[galileocan]

Actually...look at the conestant to Dorothy Benham's right just prior to the announcement. I'm certain this girl knew Dorothy was going to win, and in fact was actually looking at her when the announcement was made. This was a sure thing!!

[galileocan]

I don't know how anyone could question the results of this contest. This was the biggest slam dunk in pageant history. The lady is stunning, and her talent was equally stunning. I have to say though for the record - I feel sorry for the 3rd runner up...was her name REALLY Linda MORON??? Yikes..lol

[blackonyx2002]

@galileocan was spelled Linda Mouron

[MiaKate9988]

sexytrannie- How about the fact Dorothy was one of the select few to win both the talent and swimsuit prelims? Or the fact that she was one of the two, maybe three, in the history of Miss America to do the bare minimum to win the title? One shot at the local, she won. One shot at the state, she won. One shot at Miss America, she won. Pretty incredible in my book.

[BobtailTM30]

@MiaKate9988 Vanessa Williams was one shot at local then Miss new York and then miss america. Those were the only three pageants she was ever in her entire life...she was and is the best miss america..in my opinion!!

[sexytrannie]

i dont see anything too special about her

[VTMCompany]

the lady in red deserved and got it!

[kmb9624]

@VTMCompany Dorothy clearly deserved to win as she was second to none, but she ain't foolin' me for one second! She KNEW she had it after S.C.'s Livinia Cox was named first runner up. Dorothy's selection is a rare case where nobody would disagree with the outcome. Moreover, she has led an exemplary life. Kudos to the Miss America judges for gettin' one right.