Miss USA 1961 was the tenth Miss USA pageant, held at the Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, on July 13, 1961. At the end of the event, Linda Bement of Utah crowned Sharon Brown of Louisiana as Miss USA 1961. It was Louisiana’s second win in the pageant’s history. Brown later competed at Miss Universe and placed fourth runner-up. Contestants from forty-two states and the District of Columbia took part.