Why is Marilyn Van Derbur, The 1958 Miss America Auctioning Off Her Crown?
2 min read
Marilyn Van Derbur was just a student at the University of Colorado when she won the historic Miss America pageant. Now, sixty four years later she decides to sell something that might have been her most precious asset. What was the reason that made Miss Marilyn Van Derbur sell her crown?
THE CLOSED BOX
Marilyn Van Derbur who was born and raised in Colorado has decided to auction the crown covered with Swarovski crystals .The reason behind it is to help the teachers of colorado that are facing financial issues due to covid. This year the Miss America pageant will celebrate its hundredth anniversary. Last year when filmmaker Jay Pitts interviewed Derbur for a documentary that he was making on the pageant, he expressed his wish to see her crown. She then opened a box and saw the motif bracelet which she had almost forgotten was there. She had not opened the box in years. That is when she realised that she had been keeping these belongings in the shelf for years .She decided to use them to help the people in need .
And we should not be surprised because Miss Marilyn Van Derbur is not just a pageant holder, she’s also an author and a childhood abuse survivor. She’s also a motivational speaker and a guest lecturer in several companies. She has been helping people and even won the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011. She’s has created and funded a programme for adult survivors of childhood abuse and trauma – The SUN( Survivor United Network). She revealed the thought that guided her into doing Social welfare -“ I loved the privilege of being Miss America. But it became much more significant to me when I could help change people’s lives because I had been Miss America” – She said in an interview. She is proud that her crown could help struggling teachers because not many people think of helping teachers.
The Auction:
The crown along with the valuable matching bracelet which is one of a kind will be in the auction. The trophy that she received and the sequinned Alfred Bosand Gown she wore in 1995 for the 75th anniversary of Miss America Pageant will also be put for auction on November 4-7th and the starting bid will be $20,000. This will be the first time in history that Miss America’s crown is being auctioned. Not to mention, for a cause that’s worth the crown.
