Find Out the First Miss America Winner from Your State

Gretchen Carlson gave Minnesota its first Miss America crown in 1989. A talented violinist, she grew up in Anoka and was a child prodigy who once studied at Juilliard. Her classical training and confident presence made her a standout contestant on the national stage.

Carlson later became a household name as a television journalist and news anchor. In 2016, she made headlines again for exposing harassment in the media industry, becoming a leading voice for workplace reform. Her career trajectory made her one of the most influential Miss America winners in history.