Deborah Shelton

Deborah Shelton is an American actress and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss USA 1970. She is also known for her appearances on Dallas for three seasons, with a special guest return in 2013.

In 1970, Shelton competed in the Miss Virginia USA pageant to spite her then boyfriend. She won the title and represented Virginia in the Miss USA 1970 pageant held in Miami, Florida in May 1970.

At the pageant, Shelton won the Miss Pixable award (photogenic) and was subsequently crowned Miss USA 1970. She was crowned by former title holder Wendy Dascomb, also of Virginia; this was the first time that a state had won the Miss USA title back to back.

Shelton then went on to the Miss Universe contest in Miami, Florida in July where she placed first runner-up to Marisol Malaret of Puerto Rico. She described competing at Miss Universe as "perhaps her greatest experience".

During her reign, Shelton traveled across the United States and internationally, including visits to Japan, Spain, Portugal, Brazil and Puerto Rico.

For winning Miss USA, she received $5,000 in cash, a $5,000 mink coat and made another $5,000 from personal appearances.

Shelton's hometown is Norfolk, Virginia. She attended Old Dominion University. She was a senior at the time she won the Miss USA title.

Prior to winning her first pageant title, Shelton was enrolled in a pre-medical curriculum. After college, she moved to New York City where she studied acting, modeled, and appeared in television commercials.