The 73rd edition of the Miss Universe pageant which took place in Mexico City on November 16, 2024 produced the latest winner, Denmark’s Victoria Kjær Theilvig as the new Queen.
She will be taking over from Nicaraguan, Sheynnis Palacios, who was crowned queen in 2023.
This pageant follows a long line of tradition set in 1952 when the first Miss Universe pageant was held in Long Beach, California, and won by Finland’s Armi Kuusela.
Miss Universe is an annual international beauty pageant that showcases contestants from over 190 countries, promoting beauty, confidence, and humanitarian advocacy. it has evolved into one of the most prestigious beauty competitions globally.
Throughout history, the USA has produced the highest number of winners with nine Queens.
African beauty queens have also made a mark in the competition by first appearing in the maiden pageant held in 1952 and clinching the crown six times.
Catherine Higgins, a South African, represented the continent in the maiden pageant which had participants from 30 countries.
It wasn’t until 1978 that an African woman, Margaret Gardiner from South Africa clinched the crown and became the new Miss Universe that year.
According to this list by Marca, the following African countries have produced winners in the Miss Universe pageant since its inception in 1952.
| S/N | Name | Year | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Zozibini Tunzi |
2019 |
South Africa |
|
2 |
Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters |
2017 |
South Africa |
|
3 |
Leila Lopes |
2011 |
Angola |
|
4 |
Mpule Kwelagobe |
1999 |
Botswana |
|
5 |
Michelle McLean |
1992 |
Namibia |
|
6 |
Margaret Gardiner |
1978 |
South Africa |
South Africa reigns supreme as the African country with the most Miss Universe titles, boasting an impressive trio of winners: Margaret Gardiner (1978), Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters (2017), and Zozibini Tunzi (2019).
These three beauty queens have cemented South Africa’s position at the top of the leaderboard, making it the most successful African nation in the Miss Universe pageant’s history.
