Denmark’s Victoria Kjær Theilvig Crowned Miss Universe 2024

Victoria Kjær Theilvig of Denmark has made history, becoming the first Dane to ever win the Miss Universe competition, CNN reports.

The 21-year-old dancer, entrepreneur, and aspiring lawyer triumphed over more than 120 contestants at the glittering ceremony held in Mexico City on Saturday night.

Theilvig received the crown from reigning Miss Universe Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua, to the applause of fellow contestants. The finale concluded a week of competition.

The competition began with a preliminary round that narrowed the field to 30 semi-finalists based on Thursday’s events, including a national costume show. The semi-finalists then competed in swimwear and evening gown segments before twelve advanced to the final round. The final five faced questions on leadership and resilience. Theilvig, when asked how she would live differently without judgment, responded that she wouldn’t change anything, emphasizing her approach of living “by each day.” She urged viewers to “keep fighting…no matter where you come from.”

Chidimma Adetshina of Nigeria was named first runner-up, followed by Maria Fernanda Beltran of Mexico in second place. Suchata Chuangsri of Thailand and Ileana Marquez Pedroza of Venezuela rounded out the top five. Pedroza’s placement is notable as she is a 28-year-old mother, highlighting the impact of recent rule changes.

This year marked a significant shift in Miss Universe’s 72-year history, with the removal of the age limit for contestants. The change allowed more than two dozen finalists older than would have been permitted in previous years, with Beatrice Njoya of Malta becoming the first woman in her 40s to reach the final. The age limit removal follows calls for the pageant to modernize, building on previous changes that lifted bans on married women, mothers, and pregnant women.

This year also saw Cuba’s return to the competition for the first time since 1967, and the debut of contestants from Belarus, Eritrea, and the United Arab Emirates. The Miss Universe Organization previously addressed and dismissed rumors of Saudi Arabia’s participation in the 2024 pageant.

The lead-up to the competition was not without controversy. The Miss Universe South Africa pageant saw Adetshina withdraw (and later represent Nigeria) after nationality-related issues sparked xenophobic backlash. In Nicaragua, Miss Universe director Karen Celebertti resigned amid charges of conspiracy and treason, accused of involvement in a plot to overthrow the government.