Leona Gage, Controversial Miss USA Winner, Dies at 71

In 1957, Leona Gage was crowned Miss USA. The next day, she was stripped of her crown When The Pageant found out That she was a wife and mother of two. Leona Gage Died Last Night in LA. She was 71

According to the Associated Press, Gage Also lied about her age in 1957 "when she won the Miss USA Beauty Pageant. Gage said That she was 21, "when she was 18, Actually After Gage won the crown, she denied having "Even a boyfriend.

"I Want To Wait Until I'm 26 before I Become Seriously interested in the opposite sex," said Leona Gage, According to the Baltimore Sun.

But in reality, Gage HAD Been Married Twice before she won the Pageant. Both marriages occurred "when she was 14

Losing the crown, HOWEVER, boosted Gage's fame Briefly. Even, she appeared on the Ed Sullivan show shortly after her Beauty Pageant Controversy was Brought into the public eye.

According to her son, Gage Died of heart failure at Sherman Oaks Hospital in LA.