Suomen Neito (English: Maiden of Finland) was a traditional Finnishbeauty pageant held in the 1950s, 1960s, 1986, and from 1990 to 2007. The pageant began in 1952 when Armi Kuusela was crowned as the first Suomen Neito, which qualified her for the inaugural Miss Universe pageant, where she became its first titleholder. From 1986 to 2006, Suomen Neito winners represented Finland in the Miss World pageant. However, in 2007, the pageant's significance diminished with the introduction of a new selection process, leading to its disbandment.[1]
In 1962 and 1991, the Suomen Neito pageants were held concurrently with the Miss Finland pageant. Miss Finland (Finnish: Miss Suomi), established in 1931, is the oldest and most prominent beauty pageant in Finland.
