Athéné Palamariades

**Athéné Marie Bès** (née **Palamariades**; Limic: *Αθηνα Παλαμαριαδη*, *Athina Palamariadi*; 1 December 1925 – 1 September 2012) was a Maronan model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Marone 1944. She had previously been crowned Miss Côte Turquoise 1943, and became the third woman from Côte Turquoise to win Miss Marone.

## Early life and education

Palamariades was born on 1 December 1925 in Carcatou to parents Pedros (Limic: *Πέδρος Παλαμαριάδης*; 1885–1950) and Marianne Palamariades (née *Chapert*; 1900–1928). Her father was originally from Lima and worked in finance, while her mother was a homemaker. Palamariades was the elder of two children; her younger brother was Nikos (born 1927). Palamariades's mother died of pneumonia in 1928, and she was afterwards raised by her father and maternal grandparents. Palamariades grew up speaking Limic and Maronan fluently, and was a practicing Lellenist.

Palamariades began her education in 1931, attending public schooling in Carcatou. She graduated from primary school in 1938, and later completed *collège* as well in 1941. After graduating, Palamariades enrolled in a *lycée professionnel* to study fashion and beauty, graduating in 1943. Afterwards, she began working as a professional makeup artist, but soon left the profession to pursue modeling.

## Modeling

Palamariades began her career as a professional model in 1943, just days after completing her professional training as a makeup artist. While working as an assistant makeup artist on a photoshoot, the scheduled model failed to show up, so the director and photographer asked Palamariades to fill in instead, believing that she had the potential to pursue modeling. After completing the shoot, Palamariades signed a contract with Carcatou Models, an independent agency in Carcatou, later that day.

After beginning a career in modeling, Palamariades appeared primarily in fashion and beauty print modeling, working with clothing and cosmetics companies, in addition to participating in runway shows. After winning Miss Marone 1944, Palamariades continued modeling, additionally continuing to appear in print work for Chérie Beauté, which owned Miss Marone. Palamariades retired from her modeling career in 1950, following her marriage.

## Miss Marone 1944

In July 1943, Palamariades registered for Miss Carcatou 1943, and went on to win the title. She later won the Miss Côte Turquoise 1943 pageant as well two weeks later.

Palamariades later competed in Miss Marone 1944 in Carcatou in December 1943. Palamariades went on to advance into the Top 7, and was ultimately crowned by outgoing titleholder Jeanne Souvère as Miss Marone 1944. This made her both the second consecutive Miss Côte Turquoise and Miss Carcatou to win Miss Marone. During her reign, Palamariades resided in Carcatou and was utilized as the face of Chérie Beauté cosmetics products, traveling throughout Marone and abroad to promote their products and appear in their advertising campaigns. She completed her reign as Miss Marone the following year, after crowning her successor at Miss Marone 1945.

## Personal life

Palamariades married Maronan real estate developer Antoine Bès in 1950, after a two-year relationship. They had three children together: Ségolène (born 1952), Pierre (born 1955), and Valentine (born 1957). The family resided in Boug-Belle-Maison, outside of Carcatou.

Throughout her life, Palamariades was an advocate and philanthropist on behalf of the Limic community in Marone. In 1985, she was elected president of the Limic Women's Society of Marone, a charitable women's organization devoting itself to strengthening ties between Marone and Limia, and providing donations to Limians in Marone and Limians abroad in need of assistance.

## Death

Palamariades was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 1996, aged 70. While her condition was initially under control, she began to struggle in her later years. She later died of diabetes-related complications in her sleep on the night of 1 September 2012, aged 86, in her home in Boug-Belle-Maison.