Sharon Brown

Sharon Rene Brown is an American model, actress, and beauty pageant titleholder who gained national recognition after being crowned Miss USA 1961. She made pageant history by becoming the first Miss USA titleholder to win both the primary title and the Miss USA Photogenic Award.

Brown was raised in rural Waterproof, located in southern Tensas Parish in eastern Louisiana. In the summer of 1961, she relocated with her parents, Roy L. Brown and Pauline "Polly" Craft-Brown, to Minden, Louisiana. She has three brothers, including twin brothers Gary Lemoyne and Larry Roy, and a younger brother, Joe Michael. Before entering national pageants, she attended high school, where she served as a cheerleader from 1958 to 1960.

She later attended Louisiana Tech University in Ruston during the 1960–1961 academic year as a freshman. During her time in college, she earned local titles including Miss Waterproof 1961 and Miss Louisiana Tech. Later representing Minden, she won the title of Miss Louisiana USA, which qualified her to compete on the national level.

At eighteen years old, Brown won the Miss USA 1961 title. In addition to securing the national crown, she was named Miss Photogenic. Following her domestic victory, she represented the United States at the Miss Universe 1961 pageant, where she placed as the fourth runner-up. To mark her national victory as Louisiana's second Miss USA winner, the city of Minden proclaimed July 25, 1961, as Sharon Brown Day, honoring her with a public parade, a 23-jewel wristwatch, and a $500 money order.

After fulfilling her obligations as Miss USA, Brown moved to New York City to pursue work as a freelance model and television performer. In 1962, she was selected as the Queen of the 28th annual Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. Her television appearances during this era included a featured spot on Bob Hope's NBC television program. By 1978, she had relocated to Chicago, Illinois.