Maybe 1985 was—looking back—the worst year in Iceland’s long history. It’s the year we learned that Icelanders are the best in the world, something special. And we still think so, quarter of century later.

It all started in Mora, a tiny town in Dalarna, Sweden in minus 25°C/-15°F in February that year. It was a small event and I was the only foreign journalist witnessing it, when Icelander Jón Páll Sigmarsson won the title “World’s Strongest Man” for the first time.

He went on to win the title four times, as did his fellow Icelander Magnús Ver Magnússon, who won the title in 1991, 1994, 1995 and 1996. Icelanders earned the title “World’s Strongest Man” eight times in 11 years. What a nation, what men.

Also in 1985, the very same month Jón Páll Sigmarsson became the World’s Strongest Man, Hólmfrídur Karlsdóttir was crowned Queen of Europe and Miss World.

The Queen of Africa was Kayonga Mureka Tete from Congo, the Queen of the Americas was Brenda Denton, Miss New Mexico, USA, the Queen of Asia was Maja Wechtenhaim from Israel and Queen of Oceania, was Kiwi Sheri Burrow. And not to forget Miss Personality Fiona Hartley from the Isle of Man.

Linda Pétursdóttir from Iceland was crowned Miss World three years later. Again, in 1988, we boasted the World Strongest Man, Jón Páll Sigmarsson, and Linda as Miss World.

What a nation, with the world’s strongest man and the most beautiful woman walking on this planet. Queen of Europe and Miss World in 1985 and again 1988.

We started to believe the hype but in October 2008 the bubble burst. Yet we still believe the hype, that we are special. Strange.

It’s even stranger that we have built our identity for the last 25 years on beauty pageants and kind of a joke television program, the World’s Strongest Man.

The world most popular song of 1985 was "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" by Tears for Fears. Kind of what we believed; everybody here in Iceland wants to rule the world.

The number two song in 1985 was the great Dire Straits song "Money for Nothing". The perfect song for Iceland 25 years later.

We want the money, but for nothing.

We want to be a part of Europe, but on our terms. We want to invest abroad, but foreigners cannot invest here.

I don’t understand my nation. Not at all.

Especially the Magma Energy discussion. What is the problem? 

Of course they should be allowed to invest. Of course.

But I understand the weather. It has been good.

And.... I did not find anything about Miss Personality 1985, Fiona Hartley from the Isle of Man on the World Wide Web.

But I did find out that next year’s Miss Personality, in 1986, was Dominique Martínez from Gibraltar. Here is a short bio:

“After living away from Gibraltar as a child, at the age of eighteen Dominique returned to Gibraltar and having obtained various local beauty pageants titles (including the Miss Gibraltar 1986 she represented Gibraltar at the Miss World Pageant in Hong Kong where she was awarded the title of Miss Personality).

After working in tourism, including hotel cleaning and travel agencies, and trying out modeling Dominique decided that her future lay in forming her own family and starting her own business. She set up her own shop (The Fish Plaice) and then a photographic business- Photofinish.

Today you can find her working at Photofinish at the Waterport Coachpark, Gibraltar, where the company offers various photographic souvenirs to every tourist who arrives by coach on a day trip to the rock. The company celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2005. Unit 1 & 2 Extension Ferry Terminal Building Waterport Coachpark, Gibraltar. Fax 200 74841 Telephone 200 74841.”

A true Miss Personality.

This is the kind of people who could and should invest in Iceland. We need Photofinish at the coach park in Kópasker, population 82.

Páll Stefánsson – ps@icelandreview.com