Terry Meeuwsen Biography

Terry Anne Meeuwsen Friedrich (born March 2, 1949 in De Pere, Wisconsin) is an American television personality, co-host of the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN)'s 700 Club, author and singer.

Meeuwsen was the 1972 Miss Green Bay, 1972 Miss Wisconsin and the winner of the Miss America pageant in 1973, taking both the talent and swimsuit competitions. She was the first Miss Wisconsin delegate to hold the Miss America title.

Life and career

In high school, Meeuwsen was selected homecoming queen, and was also a cheerleader for three years. After graduation, between 1969"1971, Meeuwsen performed and traveled with the singing group The New Christy Minstrels, but left the show to enter the Miss America pageant preliminary competitions.

Following her reign as Miss America, Meeuwsen began television work at WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee in 1978, leaving the station in 1986 to raise her family. Meeuwsen appeared numerous times in the 1980s as a guest co-host of The 700 Club, the flagship show of the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN).

In 1993, she became a permanent co-host on the show, sitting daily beside CBN founder Pat Robertson. Since 2000, she has co-hosted the CBN show, Living the Life with comedian Louise DuArt. Both shows air on ABC Family. On September 12, 1995, Meeuwsen released the inspirational pop recording, Eyes of My Heart. She has also authored four books, including Christmas Memories (1996), Near To The Heart Of God (1998), Just Between Friends (1999), and The God Adventure (2005). Meeuwsen serves as director of Orphan's Promise, a part of CBN aimed at helping orphans and vulnerable children around the world through academic programs; life skills training; mentoring and career placement; food and clothing assistance; health care programs; housing; and orphan and adoption advocacy.

Personal life

Meeuwsen and her husband, Andy Friedrich, have seven children. The marriage is the second for each. The couple has strongly advocated adoption, and most of their children are adopted from difficult backgrounds. Their youngest three girls were adopted from the Ukraine. Terry was also a member of the Theta Phi Alpha sorority.