The King and I star dies as family share cause and pay tribute
She was born in Sri Lanka and featured in a number of Hollywood films including The King and I, Gun Fever, and Gunmen From Laredo. Following her death at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena, Hingert's daughter said: 'It was a beautiful and peaceful passing.'
The Miss Universe runner-up was best known for her work in The King and I, which was nominated for nine Oscars. The film won five Academy Awards and featured stars Deborah Kerr, Yul Brynner, and Rita Moreno.
Hingert also appeared in Western movies such as 1958's Gun Fever and 1959's Gunmen From Laredo. Aside from acting, she had a successful pageant career.
She finished runner-up at Miss Universe in 1955. Hingert originally entered the competition as Miss Ceylon when she was just 18-years-old.
Her success in the competition made her the first from her country to ever reach the final. Hingert's appearance at the contest has been credited with putting her South Asian island country "on the map".
Acting and modelling wasn't the only success of Hingert, as she regularly performed as a dancer. Her photoshoot from the film Gun Fever also landed her a spot in Playboy Magazine in September 1957.
Fans paid tribute to Hingert on social media as one said: "Rest in peace, Ms Maureen Hingert. Thank you for bringing much glory to the 'pearl in the Indian Ocean' - Sri Lanka."
Another added: "Maureen Hingert, Sri Lanka's First Miss Universe Finalist & Hollywood Star, Passes Away. A true pioneer and icon remembered."
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