City Cast Denver logo
November 2, 2021

A Denver Royal Gives Up Her Crown

City Cast Denver

A Denver Royal Gives Up Her Crown

00:00:00
View all City Cast Denver episodes

In the spring of 1958, Marilyn Van Derbur was on University of Colorado’s ski team, worried about moguls and final exams. By fall, she was crowned Miss America. Decades later, she used her Miss America platform to support and advocate for survivors of sexual abuse — something Van Derbur herself endured throughout childhood at the hands of her father. But now, after more than 60 years of philanthropy and advocacy, she’s decided to sell her Miss America crown. Host Bree Davies sits down with Van Derbur to talk about what the crown has meant to her and why she decided to sell it now.


Van Derbur’s crown, as well as a collection of other Miss America memorabilia, will be going on auction through Heritage Auctions starting November 4, 2021. The bidding will reportedly start at $20,000.


Want the results of today’s election delivered straight to your inbox tomorrow morning at 6 a.m.? Subscribe to our newsletter today: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/


We promise to send you some really good tweets today @citycastdenver

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Hey Denver

Stay connected to City Cast Denver and get ready to join the local conversation.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Latest Episodes

See all
August 14

Who's to Blame for Scooters on the Sidewalk? Plus, Pay What You Can Art and Another Dry Reservoir

Veo scooters,bikes, and trikes are ready to ride on nearly every corner in Denver, but whose job is it to enforce their rules of the road...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
August 13

Egg Salad But Make it Chic, Summer Coffee Picks, and a New Social App for the Wealthy?

Denver is officially entering the “sando” chat. Multiple restaurants around the Mile High are now serving these Japanese milk-bread sandw...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
August 12

Is Waymo Watching You? Plus, Doing Boring Things in Public and a Bear Attack!

The robotaxi company Waymo has been testing cars around Denver. Last Thursday, one of the autonomous vehicles got itself stuck in the mid...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
August 11

Debating Data Centers and Tipped Wages, Boosting EVs, and More Reflections on a Denver Lawmaker's Time in Office

Rep. Alex Valdez is coming up on the term limit for his stint as the House District 5 representative, and he’s looking back on some of th...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
August 10

What to Do With an Empty Stadium? Plus, First Fridays and Homie the Clown

The Broncos have released updated renderings of what the new development around new stadium could look like at Burnham Yard. Now, that’s...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
August 7

‘Your City Could Be Better’: Naked Neighbors, Unwelcome Pets, and Other City Life Dilemmas — Presented By City Cast Denver

As much as you love Denver, city living inherently means sharing space and resources with your neighbors, and y’all certainly have compla...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
August 6

Does Denver Need a ‘Slavery Acknowledgement’? Plus, Wildfire Smoke and Women’s World Cup Hopes

Why did City Council backtrack on letting bars and nightclubs stay open to 4 a.m.? And who exactly was in favor of later let-out times in...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
August 5

Why Does Gov. Polis Hate Socialism? Plus, Is Our Corn in Danger?

Gov. Jared Polis has been raising some eyebrows lately, and not just for his loud outfit at Colorado’s 150th birthday party. The outgoing...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
August 4

Did BRT Construction Flood The Squire? Plus, Our Favorite New Local Businesses

After a bout of heavy rain in Denver last week, The Squire Lounge on Colfax was left several feet underwater, and people online are looki...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
August 3

Cool Down With Denver’s Best Ice Cold Treats

‘Tis the season for sweet and icy treats! From a classic mangonada to innovative ice cream nachos, we’ve rounded up a list of great local...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art