Wonder Woman of the week: Lynda Carter

Lynda Carter’s story begins far from the bright lights of Hollywood, in the wide-open landscapes of the American Southwest. Born in 1951 and raised partly in Arizona, Carter grew up amid desert horizons and long highways that shaped her sense of independence and poise. Before fame, she studied music and performed as a singer, experiences that sharpened her stage presence and confidence. In 1972, she was crowned Miss World USA, a title that briefly placed her in the pageant spotlight but did not define her ambitions. Like many National Geographic profiles, her early life reveals how environment and opportunity converge, quietly preparing an individual for a role that will resonate far beyond its original setting.