Miss Universe is a beauty pageant that began in 1952 and is held annually. The Miss Universe Organization, which owns and runs the pageant, is based in the United States. The pageant is open to women worldwide who meet certain qualifications, such as being at least 18 years old. Prior to 2022, participants were required to be unmarried and required to not have children, which was annulled in 2022 The contestants are judged based on several criteria, including physical appearance, intelligence, and talent.
The pageant usually begins with a preliminary competition, followed by the final competition. The preliminary competition is usually held a few days before the final competition and is used to narrow down the number of contestants. The final competition is typically held in a major city, and it is a large event that is attended by thousands of people. The final competition includes several rounds, such as the swimsuit competition, the evening gown competition, and the final question and answers round.
The winner of the pageant is expected to serve as a role model and ambassador for the Miss Universe Organization throughout her reign, which typically lasts for one year. The winner is also expected to participate in various events and charitable activities and to promote the Miss Universe Organization. The winner receives a prize package that includes a cash prize, an apartment in New York City for the duration of her reign, and other prizes such as a scholarship to the New York Film Academy, and a wardrobe.
Miss Universe is one of the most prestigious and well-known beauty pageants in the world, watched by millions of people globally. It is considered one of the big 4 pageants along with Miss World, Miss Earth, and Miss International. In the year 2023, Miss Universe was held at Jose Adolfo Pineda Arena in San Salvador, El Salvador. The 72nd edition of the beauty pageant was held on November 18, 2023. Sheynnis Palacios, of Nicaragua, was crowned Miss Universe 2023 out of 84 contestants.
List Of Miss Universe Winners over the years
The winners of the Miss Universe pageant of each year from inception are as follows:
| Year | Winner | Country of Origin |
| 1952 | Armi Kuusela | Finland |
| 1953 | Christiane Martel | France |
| 1954 | Miriam Stevenson | United States |
| 1955 | Hillevi Robin | Sweden |
| 1956 | Carol Morris | United States |
| 1957 | Gladys Zender | Peru |
| 1958 | Luz Marina Zuluaga | Colombia |
| 1959 | Akiko Kojima | Japan |
| 1960 | Linda Bement | United States |
| 1961 | Marlene Schmidt | Germany |
| 1962 | Norma Nolan | Argentina |
| 1963 | Irene Saez | Venezuela |
| 1964 | Apasra Hongsakula | Thailand |
| 1965 | Sylvia Hitchcock | United States |
| 1966 | Margareta Arvidsson | Sweden |
| 1967 | Sylvia Hitchcock | United States |
| 1968 | Martha Vasconcellos | Brazil |
| 1969 | Gloria Diaz | Philippines |
| 1970 | Margarita Moran | Philippines |
| 1971 | Georgina Rizk | Lebanon |
| 1972 | Kerry Ann Wells | Australia |
| 1973 | Margarita Moran | Philippines |
| 1974 | Amparo Munoz | Spain |
| 1975 | Apasra Hongsakula | Thailand |
| 1976 | Rina Messinger | Israel |
| 1977 | Janelle Commissiong | Trinidad & Tobago |
| 1978 | Margaret Gardiner | South Africa |
| 1979 | Maritza Sayalero | Venezuela |
| 1980 | Shawn Weatherly | United States |
| 1981 | Irene Saez | Venezuela |
| 1982 | Karen Diane Baldwin | Canada |
| 1983 | Lorraine Downes | New Zealand |
| 1984 | Yvonne Ryding | Sweden |
| 1985 | Deborah Carthy-Deu | Puerto Rico |
| 1986 | Barbara Palacios | Venezuela |
| 1987 | Cecilia Bolocco | Chile |
| 1988 | Porntip Nakhirunkanok | Thailand |
| 1989 | Angela Visser | Netherlands |
| 1990 | Mona Grudt | Norway |
| 1991 | Lupita Jones | Mexico |
| 1992 | Michelle McLean | Namibia |
| 1993 | Dayanara Torres | Puerto Rico |
| 1994 | Sushmita Sen | India |
| 1995 | Chelsi Smith | United States |
| 1996 | Alicia Machado | Venezuela |
| 1997 | Brook Lee | United States |
| 1998 | Wendy Fitzwilliam | Trinidad & Tobago |
| 1999 | Mpule Kwelagobe | Botswana |
| 2000 | Lara Dutta | India |
| 2001 | Denise Quiñones | Puerto Rico |
| 2002 | Oxana Fedorova | Russia |
| 2003 | Amelia Vega | Dominican Republic |
| 2004 | Jennifer Hawkins | Australia |
| 2005 | Natalie Glebova | Canada |
| 2006 | Zuleyka Rivera | Puerto Rico |
| 2007 | Riyo Mori | Japan |
| 2008 | Dayana Mendoza | Venezuela |
| 2009 | Stefania Fernandez | Venezuela |
| 2010 | Ximena Navarrete | Mexico |
| 2011 | Leila Lopes | Angola |
| 2012 | Olivia Culpo | United States |
| 2013 | Gabriela Isler | Venezuela |
| 2014 | Paulina Vega | Colombia |
| 2015 | Pia Wurtzbach | Philippines |
| 2016 | Iris Mittenaere | France |
| 2017 | Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters | South Africa |
| 2018 | Catriona Gray | Philippines |
| 2019 | Zozibini Tunzi | South Africa |
| 2020 | Andrea Meza | Mexico |
| 2021 | Harnaaz Sandhu | India |
| 2022 | R'Bonney Gabriel | United States |
| 2023 | Sheynnis Palacios | Nicaragua |
FAQs
A. The Miss Universe reign typically lasts for one year.
A. The number of contestants varies every year, but typically around 80 contestants participate in the pageant.
A. Miss Universe is considered one of the big 4 pageants along with Miss World, Miss Earth, and Miss International. It is one of the most prestigious and well-known beauty pageants in the world, watched by millions of people globally.
A. The winner receives a prize package that includes a cash prize, an apartment in New York City for the duration of her reign, and other prizes such as scholarships, and a wardrobe.
A. The Miss Universe pageant is held annually, and the date and location of the pageant vary every year.
A. Yes, the pageant is usually broadcasted live on television and online platforms.
