Introduction
Julia Morley is an English businesswoman, charity worker, and former model who is best known as the chairman and CEO of the Miss World Organization, which organizes the Miss World and Mister World beauty pageants. She is also the widow of Miss World creator, the late Eric Morley, who was in charge of organizing the pageant from its inception in 1951 until his death in 2000.
But Julia Morley is more than just a beauty queen. She is also a humanitarian who has dedicated her life to helping disadvantaged people around the world through her “Beauty with a Purpose” program, which she launched in 1972.
Table of Contents
Early Life and the Birth of a Philanthropist
Julia Morley was born on October 17, 1939, in London, England. Her upbringing instilled in her a sense of responsibility towards those less fortunate. Her parents, philanthropists themselves, taught her the value of compassion and generosity from a young age. Morley’s passion for charity work began to flourish as she witnessed the struggles and hardships faced by various communities, both locally and globally.
Children of Julia Morley
Together, Julia and Eric had a son named Stephen Douglas. Following Eric Morley’s passing in 2000, Julia took over the leadership of the Miss World Organization, continuing its legacy and expanding its philanthropic efforts. Stephen Douglas Morley, their son, has been involved with the Miss World Organization, contributing to its events and operations. Specific details about his role and personal endeavors are limited in public records.
The Miss World Organization
In 1972, Julia Morley and her late husband, Eric Morley, took over the Miss World beauty pageant, transforming it into a platform for philanthropy. Under their leadership, the pageant became more than just a competition for beauty; it became a catalyst for change and an opportunity to make a significant difference in the world. Julia Morley has dedicated her life to promoting the values of beauty with a purpose, using the Miss World platform to raise funds and awareness for countless charitable causes.
Net worth of Julia Morley
As of April 2025, Julia Morley’s net worth is estimated to be approximately $22.7 million. This wealth is primarily attributed to her leadership role in the Miss World Organization and her involvement in various business ventures. It’s noteworthy that the Miss World pageant has achieved significant financial success under her guidance, particularly through strategic expansions into markets like China. For instance, reports indicate that the organization earned $12 million since its initial events in China, with ticket prices ranging from $150 to $2,500, all sold out.
What is Beauty with a Purpose?
Beauty with a Purpose is the motto and vision of Julia Morley for young women to use their talents and influence to help those less fortunate than themselves. It is also the name of the charity program that is part of the Miss World Organization, which raises money and awareness for various humanitarian projects in over 140 countries.
Some of the causes that Beauty with a Purpose supports include:
- Providing medical care and equipment for children with cleft palate, leprosy, polio, and other disabilities.
- Building schools, orphanages, hospitals, and shelters for children and families affected by poverty, war, natural disasters, and disease.
- Promoting education, empowerment, and equality for girls and women in areas where they face discrimination, violence, and oppression.
- Fighting against HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases that threaten millions of lives.
- Protecting the environment and wildlife from pollution, deforestation, poaching, and climate change.
How does Beauty with a Purpose work?
Beauty with a Purpose works by involving the contestants of Miss World and Mister World in various charitable activities and initiatives in their own countries and abroad. Each contestant has to present a project that showcases their passion and commitment to making a positive difference in their community or in the world. The projects are then judged by a panel of experts who select the most impactful and inspiring ones to receive funding and recognition from the Miss World Organization.
The winner of the Beauty with a Purpose award also receives a special prize and a place in the final round of the Miss World or Mister World competition. Some of the past winners of this award include:
- Manushi Chhillar from India, who won Miss World 2017 for her project on menstrual hygiene awareness and education for rural girls.
- Rolene Strauss from South Africa, who won Miss World 2014 for her project on improving access to health care for children in rural areas.
- Megan Young from Philippines, who won Miss World 2013 for her project on rebuilding homes and schools for typhoon victims.
- Zhang Zilin from China, who won Miss World 2007 for her project on providing clean water and sanitation for rural communities.
What are some of the achievements of Beauty with a Purpose?
Since its inception in 1972, Beauty with a Purpose has had a significant impact in improving the lives of the sick and disadvantaged. According to Julia Morley, the program has raised over 1 billion US dollars for humanitarian projects around the world.
Some of the achievements of Beauty with a Purpose include:
- Supporting Operation Smile, an international medical charity that provides free surgery for children with cleft lip and palate. Beauty with a Purpose has funded over 250,000 surgeries in over 60 countries since 1988.
- Building the first hospital for women and children in Ethiopia in partnership with Variety International Children’s Fund. The hospital opened in 2010 and has treated over 300,000 patients so far.
- Establishing the first school for deaf children in Haiti after the devastating earthquake in 2010. The school was built with the help of Miss World 2009 Kaiane Aldorino from Gibraltar and Miss World 2010 Alexandria Mills from USA.
- Creating the first mobile clinic for leprosy patients in India in collaboration with The Leprosy Mission Trust India. The clinic was launched in 2014 by Miss World 2013 Megan Young from Philippines and Miss World 2014 Rolene Strauss from South Africa.
What are some of the awards and honors that Julia Morley has received?
Julia Morley has been recognized by many countries and organizations for her outstanding contribution to humanity through her Beauty with a Purpose program. Some of the awards and honors that she has received include:
- The Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2022, for her charitable and voluntary services to disadvantaged people in the U.K. and abroad.
- The Variety International Humanitarian Award in 2016, for her selfless dedication in the support of humankind. Previous recipients of this award include Sir Winston Churchill, Audrey Hepburn, and Sir Edmund Hillary.
- The Priyadarshni Academy Global Award in 2014, for her outstanding humanitarian contribution to help children in over 100 countries live a better life.
Conclusion
Julia Morley is a remarkable woman who has used her beauty, intelligence, and influence to make the world a better place. She is a role model and a leader for millions of young women who aspire to follow her footsteps and become a beauty with a purpose. She is also a visionary and a pioneer who has transformed the Miss World Organization from a mere beauty pageant to a powerful platform for social change. She is truly a living legend and an inspiration for all.
Also read about “From Miss World 1994 to Global Humanitarian: Aishwarya Rai’s Philanthropic Journey“