Gaëtane Houdin

**Gaëtane Marie Madeleine Michel** (née **Houdin**; 2 November 1933 – 5 September 2007) was a Maronan beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Marone 1950. She had previously been crowned Miss Tura 1949 and Miss Pays-Libre 1949, and was the first woman from Pays-Libre to win Miss Marone.

## Early life and education

Houdin was born on 2 November 1933 in Le Boust to parents Fabien (1897–1965) and Marie-Claude Houdin (née *Fauvray*; 1899–1977). Her family owned a dairy farm, where Houdin was raised, and Houdin spent her childhood assisting with work on the farm. Houdin was the youngest of six children and only daughter; her elder brothers included Jean-Claude (1922–1998), Arnaud (1924–2003), Pierre (1928–1988), Christophe (1930–2010), and Henri (1932–2014).

Houdin began her education in 1938, attending public schooling in Le Boust. While in school, Houdin was said to be a popular and well-liked student. She graduated from primary school in 1945, and later completed *collège* as well in 1948. After graduating, Houdin enrolled in a *lycée professionnel* program, studying agriculture. While in *lycée*, Houdin was one of the few girls in her classes, as mainly male students studied the agricultural program at the time. After taking two years off from her studies due to Miss Marone, Houdin graduated in 1952.

## Miss Marone 1950

Houdin began her career in pageantry after registering for Miss Tura 1949 in June 1949. She ultimately went on to win the title, which qualified her to compete for Miss Pays-Libre 1949. The pageant was held in September 1949, which Houdin also went on to win.

Houdin later competed in Miss Marone 1950 in Delmas in December 1949. Houdin went on to advance into the Top 7, and was ultimately crowned by outgoing titleholder Marie-Hélène Gaumont as Miss Marone 1950. During her reign, Houdin resided in Delmas and worked as a promotional model and brand representative both domestically and internationally for Miss Marone and its sponsors. In March 1950, the pageant was purchased by businessman Emeric Gatos, making Houdin the first titleholder to reign during the Gatos era.

## Personal life

Houdin married Maronan farmer Jean-Pierre Michel in 1952. They had known each other since childhood, and dated throughout their time as students in *lycée*, with a brief pause from their relationship while Houdin reigned as a pageant titleholder. Following the marriage, Houdin relocated to Michel's family farm in Le Boust. Houdin and Michel had five children together: Fabien (born 1953), Marlène (born 1955), Jean-Claude (born 1956), Jean-Paul (born 1958), and Jacques (born 1964).

Houdin's grand-niece, Jeanne-Laure Houdin, the granddaughter of her elder brother Henri, was crowned Miss Pays-Libre 2022 and competed at Miss Marone 2023.

## Death

Houdin was diagnosed with liver cancer in June 2003, aged 69. She soon afterwards began cancer treatments, which initially proved to be successful. Houdin's condition began to deteriorate in the summer of 2007, which doctors credited to the chemotherapy treatments. She later chose to end her chemotherapy treatments and enter in-home hospice care in August 2007. Houdin later died on 5 September 2007, aged 73, in her home in Le Boust, after entering hospice care just two weeks prior.