With the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989, the Iron Curtain was beginning to crumble. Across Eastern Europe, the winds of change were sweeping through nations that had spent decades behind the political and ideological divide of the Cold War. Just 13 days later, on November 22, a representative of one of those countries captured a historic victory. Poland’s Aneta Kręglicka became the first Polish and Eastern European woman ever to be crowned Miss World.

Looking back on her historic reign in the 1990 Miss World Program Book, Aneta reflected on a year that coincided with one of the most transformative periods in modern European history.

“On the 22nd of November I was crowned Miss World in Hong Kong. It was a very special moment for me as it was the first time a Polish girl had won the title.

I will always remember Miss World as it was: a great experience. With 78 girls from all around the world together for five weeks it gave us the opportunity to get to understand the customs and cultures of other countries and we all became good friends.

The day of the final was very emotional for all of us. Personally, I was not too nervous but very curious as to who among all these girls would become Miss World 1989. I really wanted to be in the final ten but if I had not been selected it would not have been a tragedy. It turned out that I achieved more than I expected, first to be called among the top ten, then to be Europe’s Queen of Beauty and finally Miss World. I cannot find the words to describe how I felt. I was surprised and shocked and I was so busy concentrating on what Miss World should do next that I had no time to let it sink in.

When I left the stage, my emotions got the better of me and I couldn’t stop crying when all the girls jumped to congratulate me.

The next morning, I had a press call and TV interview. Two days after that I returned to London for a few days before going on to my first appearance as Miss World in Germany.

On December 1st I went home for the first time after the election. It was an incredible moment. My parents, friends, press and photographers were all at the airport to meet me in Warsaw. I was very happy and proud to have brought this title to my country.

On the same day I visited a home for children who needed special care. The following day I was invited to attend a show in my honor performed by the most famous artists in Poland which was called ‘Welcome Miss World’.

I then returned to my hometown of Gdansk where again I had a special homecoming party. I was very glad to be able to spend Christmas at home with my family and to have the time to think about what had happened and what the future had in store for me, combining being Miss World with being a university student.

In January I started traveling again, taking my books with me wherever I went as I had no time to lose. Now, I’m glad that I did as I have completed my year as Miss World and graduated from University.

My visits as Miss World gave me valuable experience of the world. I met all kinds of people, old, young, rich and poor. I always thought children were honest and straightforward and, having visited many children’s homes as Miss World, I now know that this is true.

All in all, it has been a good year for me. I have visited many places, met lots of people, experienced many new situations and I have been allowed to complete my studies. Looking back, I am glad that I took this chance and I don’t regret any minute of it, but I still think I am the same person I was a year ago. I know I could not have done it without the people who were with me this year. I’d like to thank them all.”