Rita Schmidt

Miss Holland 1956

1. Rita Schmidt (Miss Universe 1956 & 4th Ru Miss Europe 1956)
2. Ans van Pothoven (Miss World 1956)

Rita Schmidt was in 1956 the first Miss Holland who would be a finalist at the Miss Europe pageant. She is also the first Miss Holland to compete at the Miss Universe pageant (after Jopie Koopman in 1929).

Ans van Pothoven represented the Netherlands at the Miss World pageant. She arrived one week to early. In 1955 Carmen Zubillaga from Venezuela also arrived one week to early, she won the pageant in the end. Everybody thought that Ans would also win the crown in 1956, this did not happen.