Carole Joan Crawford, the first Jamaican to win the Miss World title, died on December 19 in Ottawa, Canada.

She was 81 years old.

Her son, Stephan Merkens, told the Jamaica Observer that his mother died in a hospice, one year after the death of her husband, Klaus Merkens. He said she had been ill for some time.

Crawford won the Miss World title in London in November 1963, 14 months after Jamaica gained independence from Great Britain. At five feet, three inches she is one of the pageant’s shortest winners.

The Kingston-born Crawford also became the first person of African descent to win Miss World, which was first held in 1951.

She married Merkens, a German national she met during her reign, and had two children who were born in Kingston.

The family moved to Hamburg, West Germany, then Ottawa, where they lived for many years.

Stephan Merkens said his mother lived quietly in Canada, but was active in Miss World activities in her adopted country.

“She wanted to focus on how women’s roles had changed since her time. It was important for her to show these young ladies that they were more than a pretty face,” he said.

Crawford was the youngest of three children born to Vincent and Edna Crawford. Her older brothers are Vinton and Daryl, who also live in Canada.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness saluted Crawford’s accomplishments.

“As we mourn her passing, we also celebrate her incredible contributions to Jamaica’s global recognition. May her soul rest in peace, and may her family find comfort in knowing the lasting impact she has left on our nation,” he said in a statement.

Three other Jamaicans have won the Miss World title — Cindy Breakspeare in 1976, Lisa Hanna in 1993, and Toni-Ann Singh in 2019.

Carole Joan Crawford is survived by her children Stephan and Daniela, four grandchildren, and her brothers.