Enzo Mirigliani is an internationally known celebrity for his work as the head of the Miss Italy beauty pageant. Originating from Santa Caterina in Calabria, Italy, Enzo became the reason for Miss Italy`s success in 1959 and has continued to help preserve its popularity throughout the world. Enzo has been recognized by many and is highly respected for his tireless work to promote the "beauty of the daughters of our compatriots who live and work abroad."

Influence

The patron of the national beauty contest, Enzo Mirigliani, was born in Santa Caterina dello Jonio (Catanzaro)...[In] 1959 [he became] the deus ex machina of the competition's most famous beauty to the world: Miss Italy. His work [began] on Ischia and [grew] with him, becoming one of the most eagerly awaited events and followed by public television. Through the contest of beauty, Mirigliani aims to tell the history of costume Italian award is a model of simple beauty, the so-called "girl next door". In 1991, Mirigliani [gave] life to Miss Italy in the World: The goal is to pay tribute to the beauty of the daughters of our compatriots who live and work abroad. The idea...suffered great favors and success. Mirigliani has two daughters: Rosaria, Patrizia. The latter, for some years, [worked] at his side, contributing to the success of the event.

Calabria Online

When Italians were allowed to bet on Miss Italia competitors, Enzo Mirigliani went to his competition's defense.

Italians can now legally place bets on the Miss Italy contest, and the contestants are upset.

Government rules changed to allow betting on the beauty pageant to be held this Thursday, but Miss Calabria, from the southern region, said: "We're people, not objects or, worse, animals. Betting on Miss Italy is really bad."

Purists said they were appalled at what they see as the vulgarisation of a 66-year-old national institution.

The competition's founder, Enzo Mirigliani wrote to the government to complain. The newspaper Il Messaggero said Mirigliani wrote that allowing bets "damages the girls' dignity, bringing them down to the level of champion racehorses."

CBC News