Choi Soon-hwa, an 81-year-old model, made history on Monday by becoming the oldest contestant ever in a Miss Universe pageant, competing against much younger rivals in the Miss Universe Korea competition, The Associated Press reports.
Dressed in a stunning beaded white gown, the silver-haired Choi strutted across the stage and even showcased her vocal talents in a singing contest. While she ultimately fell short of winning the crown, she did take home the “best dresser” award, proving her enduring style and grace.
The crown went to Han Ariel, a 22-year-old fashion school student, who will now represent South Korea at the Miss Universe pageant in Mexico City in November.
Choi, a former hospital care worker who began her modeling career in her 70s, was selected as a Miss Universe Korea finalist earlier this month alongside 31 other contestants. Her participation was made possible by a recent change in the Miss Universe rules, which previously limited contestants to women between 18 and 28. This year, the organization lifted the age restriction, making the competition more inclusive and modern.
In addition to the age limit change, organizers of the Korean pageant also removed the swimsuit competition and eligibility requirements related to education, height, and foreign language abilities, further broadening the contest’s reach.
