In 1955, Hingert was crowned Miss Ceylon and subsequently selected as a contestant for the Miss Universe 1955 pageant. She was the first Ceylonese representative to win the 2nd Runner up position at the Miss Universe pageant, and remains the only one to hold that record yet. Due to her very high placement in the contest, she has been revered as “putting Ceylon on the map” and being an ambassador of our country, then Ceylon (now Sri Lanka).
Maureen in swimsuit wear at the Miss Universe contest made her mark with the judges and was called to Hollywood to star in several films thereafter.