11 Facts About Michele McDonald

Michele McDonald attended Knoch High School in nearby Saxonburg, Pennsylvania, and graduated in 1971.

Michele McDonald began her pageantry career after being encouraged by her mother to enter the Miss Pennsylvania USA competition in 1971.

Michele McDonald went on to win the title in the nationally televised competition, becoming the first woman from Pennsylvania to win.

An 18-year-old senior at Knoch High School, Michele McDonald was additionally the first high schooler to win the competition and the youngest woman in ten years.

Michele McDonald missed her senior prom while competing in Miss USA, and returned to her hometown the weekend after winning the title to participate in her high school graduation; she arrived from the airport in a motorcade and was greeted by thousands of people and dignitaries from her hometown.

Later in the year, Michele McDonald represented the United States at Miss Universe 1971 in Miami Beach.

Michele McDonald was succeeded as Miss USA by Tanya Wilson of Hawaii, and had planned to attend nursing school after finishing her reign.

Michele McDonald had three children and four grandchildren at the time of her death.

Michele McDonald lived the majority of her life in Dayton, Ohio, with her partner of 37 years Jeffrey Sturgill.

In June 2018, Michele McDonald underwent a life-saving double lung transplant at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh.

Michele McDonald died on January 23,2020, in a nursing home in Saxonburg, Pennsylvania, from complications related to the surgery.