Find Out the First Miss America Winner from Your State

#25: Miss Missouri, 1990 — Debbye Turner

Debbye Turner became Missouri’s first Miss America when she won in 1990. Born in Honolulu but raised in Jonesboro, Arkansas, she studied veterinary medicine before entering the pageant. Her intelligence, musical talent on the marimba, and dedication to animal welfare set her apart from the competition.

After her reign, Turner built a career in television and motivational speaking, becoming a correspondent on CBS’s The Early Show. Her background as both a scientist and a performer made her one of the most multidimensional winners in Miss America history.