Nia Kurniasih Ardikoesoema

Nia Kurniasih Ardikoesoema (March 13, 1948 – April 8, 2018) was an Indonesian architect, model and beauty pageant titleholder who initially won Miss Universe Indonesia 1974, she is the first woman from Indonesia making the nation debut in the Miss Universe history. Ardikoesoema represent Indonesia at the Miss Universe 1974 pageant in Manila, The Philippines.

Early life, background and career
Ardikoesoema was born in Bandung, West Java on March 13, 1948, to a Sundanese parents. She graduated valedictorian in grade school and salutatorian in high school. She graduated magna cum laude from the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) with architecture as her field of discipline.

On April 8, 2018, at 20:59 WIB Ardikoesoema has passed away. She died on Sunday, after undergoing intensive treatment at the Santo Borromeus Hospital, Bandung, West Java. Nia, an alumnus of the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) died at the fairly old age, 70 years old.

Mojang Bandung and Putri Indonesia
Ardikoesoema starting her foray into the world of pageantry by joining "Mojang Bandung 1973" (also known as Ratu Jawa Barat at that moment), a local pageant that select it winners for the tourism ambassador of Bandung. During the finale coronation night she won the title, later Ardikoesoema gain the right to represent Indonesia in the Miss Universe 1974 under the Andi Nurhayati Beauty directorship, who hold the license for "Putri Indonesia (Princess of Indonesia)" national beauty pageant, that send Indonesian woman as the nation representatives to the International pageants namely Miss Universe and Miss World.

Miss Universe
As the winner of Miss Universe Indonesia 1974, Ardikoesoema represent Indonesia in the Miss Universe 1974 pageant, Ardikoesoema became the very first Indonesian woman making the nation debut in the Miss Universe history. Ardikoesoema travelled to Manila, The Philippines, it was the first Miss Universe pageant to ever be held in Asia. After competing at the pageant, Ardikoesoema receive the award from Indonesian World Records Museum as the "Beauty Pioneer who competed in Miss Universe pageant".