Former Miss Universe Margaret Gardiner opens up about her experiences with cyberbullying, her time representing South Africa on global stages, and her journey as an author committed to a cause greater than herself.
Gardiner also prepares to return to South Africa amidst the excitement of launching her debut novel, Damaged Beauty: Joey Superstar.
This book marks the first of a series and offers a deeply personal reflection on her journey through life’s challenges and the pursuit of her ambitions.
Gardiner, who became a household name after winning the Miss Universe title at just 18 years old, has never taken the easy route.
“I was Miss Universe at 18. I entered the first multi-racial contest and won. I got to represent my country and that was a huge honour. Other's may have defined me by my outsides, but I’ve always been about insides. I believe in evolution, growth and the pursuit of my personal agenda. I went to university to get my degree after I was Miss Universe. I wrote books on topics people who supported me wanted to know about. I have been true to myself. I’ve spoken up, set goals and honoured kindness. I believe in asking and not being defined by failure. Try. Failure doesn’t define you. I’ve been lucky to be successful, but when I haven't been, I reflect, adjust and improve. That's what failure is for. The opposite is to never try and stay the same.”
She says her commitment to personal evolution and growth has shaped her life and career since that pivotal moment.
Her journey has also led her to prestigious venues, including the Oscars, where she recalls memorable moments that shaped her understanding of self-worth. In particular, Gardiner reflects on Demi Moore’s poignant Golden Globe speech about being labelled a “popcorn actress.”
This theme resonates with Gardiner’s own experiences, linking back to the cyberbullying she endured.
“Letting others’ expectations of you define you is a form of bullying. Unconscious bias. Being judged as too big, too small, too old, too pretty, or not pretty enough,” she explains.
Gardiner’s candid discussion about her experience with cyberbullying sheds light on a growing concern, particularly in an age dominated by social media.
“People say ignore it and don’t let it affect you. I know who I am and my journey. I had just been targeted by Meta and had my FB account cancelled after 10 years just before my book was released. It was award season. I was exhausted. I always try to reply to the first few comments, and I realised that millions of people had viewed my posts.”
Among the highlights of her life, she fondly recalls a comical yet nerve-wracking incident when her wedding car broke down on the way to St. George’s Cathedral.
“You can’t believe how many people remember that! The cars that were following us thought we’d just stopped and drove on past us, waving. I could see the headlines: ‘Margaret jilts hubby.”
As she gears up for her much-anticipated return to South Africa, Gardiner expresses both humility and gratitude for the support she’s received over the years. “I take nothing for granted. The good thing about social media is that it allows conversation. People share things, sometimes very private things and sometimes just a word of support, so it’s more intimate than the previous dynamic,” she explains.
“I’ve been humbled by the kindness of strangers.”
In her book, Gardiner seeks to address taboo topics that affect many women, reflecting her courage to become vulnerable and share her journey. She hopes her work ignites conversations and fosters understanding around the complexity of women’s experiences today.
Saturday Star