Maureen Neliya Ballardini Hingert, widely regarded as the first Sri Lankan woman to make a mark in Hollywood, has passed away at the age of 88.

Born in Colombo on January 9, 1937, Hingert leaves behind a remarkable legacy.

She was crowned Miss Ceylon in 1955 and went on to represent Sri Lanka in the Miss Universe pageant in 1955, where she secured the second runner-up title.

This achievement paved her way to Hollywood.

In 1958, Hingert made her Hollywood debut in the film "Gun Fever".

Notably, a photograph taken during the filming of this movie was published in Playboy magazine in September 1957, making her the first Sri Lankan woman to be featured in the publication.

Hingert signed contracts with prominent film studios such as 20th Century Fox and Universal International Studios, contributing to numerous productions.

Her filmography includes notable titles like The King and I, Fort Bowie, Gun Fever, The Adventures of Hiram Holiday, Moroccan Halk Moth, Pillars of the Sky, Dangerous Search, Gunman from Laredo, and The Rawhide Trail.

A mother of two, she reportedly led a private life away from the media in Los Angeles after her daughter tragically passed away from cancer.

News of Hingert's passing was also shared by veteran Sri Lankan actress Angela Seneviratne on her Facebook account, highlighting her enduring impact.