Miss France: Edna Tepava, elected in 1974, died at the age of 69

The world of Miss France in mourning. Edna Tepava, Miss Tahiti 1973 and first Polynesian to win the tricolor sash the following year, died of cancer this Sunday at the age of 69. The beauty queen left “after a long and heroic fight against illness,” her family announced on social networks.

Having just reached the age of majority when she was elected, the beauty queen arrived in mainland France where she “stayed two weeks to prepare for the competition with the other candidates”, she told Tahiti Infos. A “marvelous year” was then offered to the one whose guide was Geneviève de Fontenay.

“Madame de Fontenay really loved Edna…”

On her island, people remember her as a humble and generous woman. “She is a very beautiful woman, she has a big heart and she loves the people of Tahiti,” says Flo to Polynésie la 1re. « She never spoke of her title. And even Madame de Fontenay, when we met in Paris, asked me for news of Edna. Madame de Fontenay really loved Edna… I was really unhappy (to learn of his death). I loved her a lot,” says another Miss Tahiti interviewed by the local media.

Edna Tepava leaves behind two children and four grandchildren. His funeral will be celebrated in Papeete.