Guardia was elected Miss Costa Rica in 1978 , going on to represent her country at the Miss Universe 1978 beauty pageant ( did not place but was selected as Miss Photogenic ) , and the Miss World 1978 beauty pageant ( placed as a top 15 semi-finalist ) . The Miss Universe pageant had been held in Acapulco , and she received offers by Televisa producer Sergio Bustamante to develop a career there , but she returned to her country . Months later she accepted the offer and returned to Mexico , leaving her mother and boyfriend
Miss World 1978
Miss World 1978
Maribel Guardia