Miss Minnesota USA

Despite a strong start in the first three years of competition at Miss USA, Minnesota has been only mildly successful overall. In more recent years, Minnesota has twice received recognition with the Miss Photogenic award. Barbara Elaine Peterson was the first Miss Minnesota-USA to be crowned Miss USA (in 1976), and was also the first Miss USA to not place in the Miss Universe pageant. Her sister, Polly Peterson Bowles, was Miss Minnesota-USA 1981.

Miss Minnesota USA

Despite a strong start in the first three years of competition at Miss USA, Minnesota has been only mildly successful overall. In more recent years, Minnesota has twice received recognition with the Miss Photogenic award. Barbara Elaine Peterson was the first Miss Minnesota-USA to be crowned Miss USA (in 1976), and was also the first Miss USA to not place in the Miss Universe pageant. Her sister, Polly Peterson Bowles, was Miss Minnesota-USA 1981.