Pageant officials launched an investigation after rumors began to surface about her background and past . After Gage lied to reporters or declined to comment when they questioned her , she confessed the truth a day later : she was actually 18 , not 21 , had been married twice , and was a mother of two young children , which her mother and mother-in-law confirmed to reporters . As being a wife and mother were clear violations of the contest rules , Gage was immediately disqualified and stripped of her Miss USA crown . The crown and prizes subsequently went to the first runner-up , Charlotte Sheffield , Miss Utah
Miss USA
Miss USA 1957
Mary Leona Gage