She could very well be termed as a legacy of the first. Maureen Hingert, who was celebrated as the graceful Sri Lankan beauty queen who made history as the country’s first Miss Universe finalist and the first Sri Lankan woman to break into Hollywood cinema, passed away on July 1, 2025, in Los Angeles. She was 88 years old at the time of her death.
This fact marks the end of a remarkable life story that spanned continents, cultures, and generations. Hingert was a true pioneer in many sectors, opening doors to many fields for generations to come. Her elegance and ambition left a lasting impression not only on the world stage but also in the hearts of many Sri Lankans who looked up to her as a symbol of beauty, intelligence, and strength.
Maureen Neliya Hingert was born on January 9, 1937, in Colombo. She grew up in a time when Sri Lanka was still known as Ceylon and opportunities for young women were often limited. However, this fact did not discourage her. She was not just another ordinary girl. She was a dreamer. She also held a determination to make it big in the country and also make a lasting impact in the world.
Hingert is an old girl of Holy Family Convent, Bambalapitiya. During her school days, she was known as a student who excelled in studies, a graceful dancer and a girl who always seemed to shine with quiet confidence.
This is reflected by her words in later years, “I never thought of myself as beautiful. I just tried to carry myself with dignity and kindness. That was always enough.”
Winning Miss. Ceylon title
Her life changed forever in 1955 when she won the title of Miss Ceylon at just 18. She travelled to the United States the same year to represent her country in the Miss Universe pageant in Long Beach, California. She came out as a shining star at the event, finishing as the second runner-up, bringing pride to the nation and going down in history as the first Sri Lankan ever to reach the finals of this globally famous event. Overnight she achieved global fame – reaching for the stars, transforming herself from being the girl to come from the teardrop island in the Indian Ocean to an international sensation. The secret behind her success is that she didn’t just compete at the event. She represented her nation – much like a cultural ambassador does. Many said that she “didn’t just wear a crown. She carried it with grace.” Her presence on the world stage gave Ceylon a new face which was projected to the global community. It was one of grace, strength, and quiet determination.
Her voice, remarkable
According to one of her former classmates, “In a time when our island was barely known, Maureen gave it a beautiful voice.”
Soon Hingert’s success at the Miss Universe pageant in 1955 caught the attention of Hollywood talent scouts. She was signed up by two of the most prestigious film production houses: Universal International and 20th Century Fox. This made her one of the first South Asian women to appear in some prominent American films. She adapted the screen name Jana Davi and starred in several Westerns and adventure films during the late 1950s. Some of her most notable works include: The King and I (1956), Pillars of the Sky (1956), Gun Fever (1958), Fort Bowie (1958), The Rawhide Trail (1958), Dangerous Search (1959) and Gunmen from Laredo (1959).
Unfortunately, her roles were often limited by the racial casting norms of the era. However, she brought a rare poise and intelligence to every character she portrayed. She also became known as a talented dancer, performing classical and solo dances in places like the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.
Another noteworthy factor about her is that she never forgot her roots. Even while mingling with movie stars and dignitaries, she remained humble and grounded.
She was once quoted as saying, “You can walk the red carpet but don’t forget where your feet learned to walk.”
The burden of being “the first”
She has been interviewed countless times when she was at the pinnacle of her fame. During such moments she shared her thoughts on how fame impacted her life and identity and also about the burden of being “the first”.
“It’s not easy being the first. People don’t always understand you. But someone has to open the door,” she had said.
She has always believed in compassion and this is reflected through her words.
“I think being kind is far more powerful than being loud. That’s something I learned early in life,” she had said.
Once she had been inquired about the legacy she would leave behind and her answer had been, “If even one girl from my country felt more confident or free because she saw me on a screen, then I’ve done my job.”
Hingert married American artist and designer Mario Armond Zamparelli in 1958. He was famed for his work with TWA and Howard Hughes. The couple had three daughters, including Gina Zamparelli, who later became a producer and arts advocate. Sadly, Gina passed away in 2018 from brain cancer.
Simple joys
Hingert remarried William J. Ballard in 1976 after divorcing Zamparelli. Retiring from the limelight, she spent her later years in California.
She lived a quiet life surrounded by family and friends. She also preferred to pursue simple joys like classical music, watching old movies, gardening, and remembering her days in Sri Lanka.
Many Sri Lankans still remember this elegant lady as a source of pride and a national treasure. At a time when women’s voices were still finding strength, she carved a path that made it easier for others to follow. She became proof that a girl from a small island could rise to global recognition without detaching from her origins.
Even after her death – the legacy will live on. Her life was more than a series of beauty titles or movie roles. It was the story of a bridge between the East and the West. It also unfurls a tale between humble beginnings and global fame.
Today, she remains an icon. This is not because of her fame, but because of how she used it. She never let the world change her essence. Instead, what she did was help change the way the world viewed women from her island nation.
