Margaret Gardiner is 67 years old as of October 2026. She was born on 21 August 1959.
Quick facts
Date of birth21 August 1959
Age67
NationalitySouth African
BirthplaceCape Town, South Africa
Editor's Take:
Margaret Gardiner surprised many when she won Miss Universe in 1978. She trailed in fourth place before the final question, then took the crown with her answer. At 18 she became the first African winner, at a time when apartheid made South Africa an outcast in much of the world. She later studied psychology in the United States and moved into journalism. For years she has interviewed film stars in Hollywood. South Africa waited 39 years for its next winner.
Key Milestones
1978: Crowned Miss Universe in Acapulco
1979: Hands the crown to her successor
2017: Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters becomes the next South African winner
Margaret Gardiner (born 21 August 1959) is a South African journalist and beauty queen who was the winner of the Miss Universe 1978, the first South African woman, and the first African one, to win the Miss Universe title. She was 18 years old when she won the pageant.
Margaret Gardiner's birthday is August 21. She was born on August 21, 1959 in Cape Town, South Africa.
How old is Margaret Gardiner?
Margaret Gardiner is 67 years old, and turns 68 on her next birthday, August 21.
Who shares a birthday with Margaret Gardiner?
Famous people who share Margaret Gardiner's August 21 birthday include Usain Bolt, Robert Lewandowski, Mohammed VI of Morocco, Sergey Brin and William IV.
