Macel Wilson

Macel Patricia Leilani Wilson is an American beauty pageant titleholder, film editor, and visual artist. Born on May 5, 1943, she is best known for winning the Miss USA 1962 pageant. By taking the national title, she achieved historic milestones as the first entrant from Hawaii, the first Asian American, and the first woman of color to be crowned Miss USA.

Wilson is of Portuguese, Hawaiian, Filipino, Chinese, and English descent. During her youth, she pursued her education at President Theodore Roosevelt High School before later attending Miami Dade College.

Her path in pageantry began when she was crowned Miss Hawaii USA 1962. This title qualified her to compete at the Miss USA 1962 pageant held in Miami, Florida. After winning the national title, she advanced to the Miss Universe 1962 pageant, which was also hosted in Miami. She placed in the Top 15 at Miss Universe, where Norma Nolan of Argentina won the main title. Following the international competition, Wilson substituted for Nolan at an Orange Bowl Parade Miss Universe event in Miami after Nolan contracted the measles.

Outside of pageantry, Wilson established a career in film and art. In 1967, she married Danish civil engineer Jens Henrik Packness and relocated with him to Copenhagen. While residing in Denmark, she expanded her education by studying film at the University of Copenhagen and taking private painting lessons. Although they temporarily lived elsewhere, she and her husband returned to Copenhagen in 1976.

In 1978, Wilson began working as a film editor for the Danish Broadcasting Corporation (DR). She remained in this professional role for over two decades until her retirement in 2000. Alongside her media work, she developed a career as a visual artist and has presented her work in art exhibitions across Danish galleries since 1999.