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Margaret Gorman, First Miss America

Updated Mar 25, 2024
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Margaret Gorman, First Miss America
The first Miss America (chosen Miss America 1921), Margaret (Gorman) Cahill, with Hudson Maxim, an inventor and chemist, (dressed as Neptune) at the Atlantic City Carnival in 1922.

When she won the title of Miss America, Margaret Gorman was 5 feet, 1 inch tall and weighed 108 lbs.

Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress, Bain News Service
Date & Place: in Atlantic City, New Jersey USA
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101 years ago, almost to the day, Margaret (Gorman) Cahill was crowned the first Miss America. She is shown here the year after she won the crown with inventor and chemist Hudson Maxim dressed as "Neptune" at the Atlantic City Carnival.

Originally a "bathing beauty revue", the contest no longer features a swimsuit portion and less of the pageant is judged on appearance, and more on talent. Margaret, the first winner, would have agreed with the change. A high school student when she won, she once said: "I never cared to be Miss America. It wasn't my idea. I am so bored by it all. I really want to forget the whole thing."

She married in 1925 and remained married until her husband, Victor Cahill, died in 1957. Living in Washington D.C. until she passed away at the age of 90, she was a socialite and an intrepid traveler throughout her life. We remember Margaret and her place in history.
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09/07/2022
then why aren't there homely girls there?
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Hudson Maxim
Hudson Maxim was born on February 3, 1853. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Hudson Maxim.
Age in photo:
69
Margaret (Gorman) Cahill
Margaret (Gorman) Cahill's father was Michael J Gorman and her mother was Margaret C McCarthy. She had siblings John and Mary. When she was 4 years old, Margaret was living with her parents, Michael and Margaret, and Margaret's parents (her grandparents) in Washington, D.C. on Sackett Street. Also in the home were her siblings John and Mary. Her grandfather John McCarthy was a manager on a truck farm and her father Michael worked as a clerk for the federal government. A year before she became the first "Miss America", Margaret was still living in Washington D.C. but no longer with her maternal grandparents. In the house were her father, Michael, mother, Margaret, and siblings John, Elizabeth, William, and Margaret along with Estelle Henson, who was not related. Father Michael was still a clerk, as was Estelle Henson. She won the Miss America title when she was 16 and in high school. At the time, she was only 108 pounds and 5 feet, 1 inch tall. She competed twice more, which was allowed at the time, but never won again. Margaret married Victor Cahill in 1925, remaining married to him until he died in 1957. They didn't have children. She died on October 1, 1995 in Bowie, Maryland at the age of 90. See Margaret (Gorman) Cahill: Obituary
Age in photo:
17
Hudson Maxim
Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Hudson Maxim.
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