First Runner-Ups Who Were Redirected: Aneta Kreglicka - Miss World 1989

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The most painful placement in any pageant is the position of first runner-up. Being so close to achieving your goal but just falling short can have a very serious impact on an individual's self-esteem. Very often I have witnessed the tears of the first runner-up. They are supposed to stand there, smile and look delighted but there's always that pain of being so close but one step away from everything you worked for. That's why I admire the individuals who dig deep, who don't give up and embrace a different path. Because it's too easy to give up and so challenging to try again. And putting yourself out there again comes with expectations and pressure. But you can never really lose if you have courage and sometimes there is a happy ending. In this series, I want to celebrate some first runners-up who went on to experience winning glory. Next up is:


Aneta Kreglicka - Miss World 1989 

Gorgeous Aneta Kreglicka was born in Szczecin, near the German border, and lived there until the age of 12 when her family moved to the beautiful tri-city area, settling in Gdanska. In July 1989, she was crowned Miss Polonia 1989. 


Upon winning this title, she was the chosen delegate to represented Poland at the Miss International Pageant in Japan. Aneta put Poland on a good trajectory at Miss International and placed as the first runner-up to Miss West Germany, Iris Klein. (Poland would go on to win 3 Miss International titles after that!)
The first Eastern European Miss World 

Upon returning to Poland after this great achievement, Kreglicka had to prepare for the Miss World 1989 Pageant, which was to be hosted away from its home, London, to Hong Kong. In Hong Kong, Aneta proved again that was in it to win it and bested 77 other candidates to be name dMiss World 1989. This made her the the first Eastern (or Central) European winner of the pageant. Aneta was also the oldest Miss World to date. She spent the year promoting Beauty With A Purpose alongside Julia Morley. 
FOREVER YOUNG: At 60! In 4 days, she will turn 61

In 2006, when Poland hosted the Miss World Competition, Aneta Kreglicka was one of the judges. She also competed in Dancing With the Stars that same year. 

Aneta is one of a small group that proved that being a 1st runner-up is not the end of the road. She remained the only Polish woman to have won Miss World until Karolina Bielawska became the country's second Miss World in 2021. 

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