Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Miss America 1993 Leanza Cornett dies after fall at 49

Miss America 1993 Leanza Cornett has died from injuries suffered in a fall at her Florida home

Via AP news wire
Saturday 31 October 2020 15:11 GMT
Obit Miss America 1993
Obit Miss America 1993 (2016 Invision)
Leer en Español

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Leanza Cornett, who was Miss America in 1993 and later a TV host, has died from injuries suffered in a fall at her Florida home She was 49.

The Miss America pageant announced the death on its Facebook page. The Jacksonville resident died Wednesday, two weeks after being injured.

“Leanza had a bright and beautiful spirit and her laugh was infectious,” the post said. “We know she meant so much to so many, including all of you."

Cornett was the first Miss America to make AIDS awareness her platform, the Florida Times-Union reported. She had been Miss Florida in 1992.

Cornett was a host on “Entertainment Tonight” in 1994 and 1995. She also acted in productions of “Godspell," “Bye Bye Birdie,” and had guest roles on the TV shows “Melrose Place” and “The Tick.”

She married TV journalist Mark Steines in 1995. They divorced in 2013. She is survived by their two teenage sons.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in