Cheryl Prewitt


Cheryl Salem is an American Christian evangelist, author, musician, and former beauty pageant titleholder, who was Miss Mississippi 1979 and Miss America 1980.

Early life

At age 11, a horrifying automobile accident left Prewitt with a scarred face, a body cast and was in a wheelchair.

Pageantry

Ms. Prewitt entered, and lost, pageants for five years before winning the crown that would take her to Atlantic City for the Miss America pageant. She won the Miss Starkville and Miss Mississippi titles in 1979.
Prewitt became Miss America 1980, despite a history of poverty, sexual abuse, a physical handicap, and a total of 200 facial stitches.

Personal life

She married Harry Salem II, in 1985. Along with her husband, she ministers through Salem Family Ministries.
The couple have two sons, Harry III and Roman, and had a daughter, Gabrielle, who died at age 6 in 1999 after being diagnosed with a brain tumor.

Discography