Victoria Kjær Theilvig of Denmark made history by being crowned Miss Universe 2024, becoming the first Dane to win the prestigious title. The 21-year-old, who is a competitive dancer, entrepreneur, and aspiring lawyer, triumphed over more than 120 contestants at the pageant held in Mexico City on Saturday night.
Her victory was met with applause from her fellow contestants as she received the crown from the outgoing titleholder, Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua. The event, which featured a performance by singer Robin Thicke, was hosted by Mario Lopez, known for his role in Saved by the Bell, and former Miss Universe Olivia Culpo.
The competition began with over 120 contestants, who were narrowed down to 30 after the preliminary round on Thursday. The preliminary event included a vibrant national costume contest, followed by a swimwear segment, and ultimately, 12 finalists advanced to the evening gown competition, where Victoria Kjær Theilvig emerged as the winner.
The final five contestants were asked questions covering various topics such as leadership and resilience. When Victoria Kjær Theilvig was asked how she would live her life differently if there were no judgment from others, she confidently replied that she wouldn’t change anything. She explained, “I live by each day,” emphasizing her commitment to living authentically and in the moment.
When asked what message she would share with viewers, Victoria Kjær Theilvig encouraged everyone to “keep fighting … no matter where you come from.” She added, “I stand here today because I want a change, I want to make history, and that’s what I’m doing tonight,” reflecting her drive to make a lasting impact.
Chidimma Adetshina from Nigeria earned the title of first runner-up, while Mexico’s Maria Fernanda Beltran was named second runner-up. Suchata Chuangsri from Thailand and Ileana Marquez Pedroza from Venezuela rounded out the top five. Pedroza, a 28-year-old mother, made history by reaching the top five after the competition recently relaxed certain restrictions.
This year marked a historic shift in Miss Universe’s 72-year history, as women over the age of 28 were allowed to compete for the first time. More than two dozen finalists were older than the previous age limits, with Malta’s Beatrice Njoya becoming the first woman in her 40s to make it to the grand finale. The age limit change was part of broader efforts to modernize the pageant. Additionally, the Miss Universe Organization had lifted long-standing bans on pregnant women, mothers, and women who have been married or divorced, reflecting a more inclusive approach to the competition.
Delegates for each country in the Miss Universe pageant are chosen through local competitions that hold the official rights granted by the Miss Universe Organization. This year, Cuba made its return to the competition for the first time since 1967, with Marianela Ancheta representing the country. Other nations, including Belarus, Eritrea, and the United Arab Emirates, also sent contestants for the first time.
However, in April, the Miss Universe Organization issued a statement to clarify that reports about Saudi Arabia making its debut in the 2024 pageant were “false and misleading.”
Some of the national-level contests leading up to the Miss Universe final were surrounded by controversy. In South Africa, for example, Adetshina resigned from the competition after facing questions about her nationality, which led to a wave of xenophobic backlash. She later went on to represent Nigeria. Additionally, last December, the director of the Miss Universe Nicaragua contest, Karen Celebertti, stepped down just weeks after Sheynnis Palacios won the crown. Celebertti, along with her family, was accused of involvement in a plot to overthrow the Nicaraguan government, leading to charges of conspiracy and treason.