Miss Universe 1997 was the 46th Miss Universe pageant, held on 16 May 1997 at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami Beach, Florida, United States. Brook Lee of the United States was crowned by Alicia Machado of Venezuela at the end of the event. Seventy-four delegates competed in this year. This is the first Miss Universe edition to be produced by Donald Trump.

Miss Universe 1996 was the 45th Miss Universe pageant, held at the Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States on May 17, 1996. This was the last time that the Miss Universe was run by ITT Corp.

Alicia Machado of Venezuela was crowned by Chelsi Smith from the United States at the end of the event. 79 contestants competed in this edition.