Miss Universe 2024: Denmark’s Victoria Kjær Theilvig Claims the Crown

The Historic Win
Victoria Kjær Theilvig has made history as the first Danish contestant to win the prestigious Miss Universe title. At the 73rd edition of the pageant held in Mexico City, the 21-year-old defeated strong contenders from Nigeria and Mexico in the final round, securing the crown. An animal protection advocate and diamond business professional, Theilvig expressed her pride and excitement at the win:

"I worked so hard to reestablish a name. Making history as Denmark’s first Miss Universe titleholder is a moment of pride for me and for Europe."

The event, hosted at the 20,000-capacity Mexico City Arena, featured stunning performances, including a mariachi showcase and a set by Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas.

Contestants and Highlights
This year’s pageant saw over 120 participants, including debut entries from countries like Belarus, Eritrea, and Uzbekistan.

The Origins of Miss Universe

The Miss Universe pageant has its roots in a dispute during the 1951 Miss America contest. The winner, Yolande Betbeze, declined to promote Catalina Swimwear due to her Catholic background, prompting the swimwear company to withdraw its sponsorship. In response, Catalina Swimwear backed the creation of the Miss Universe and Miss USA pageants in 1952.

The Trump Era

Donald Trump owned the Miss Universe Organization from 1996 to 2015, during which time the event gained global visibility but also attracted controversy.

• Trump expanded the pageant’s global reach, hosting it in cities like Moscow in 2013.

• He faced accusations of sexist behavior and made controversial remarks during his tenure.

• NBC severed ties with Trump in 2015 following his statements about Mexican immigrants. Shortly after, Trump sold his stake in the organization.

Victoria Kjær Theilvig’s triumph is not just a personal milestone but a reflection of the evolving global inclusivity of the Miss Universe pageant, a contest with a storied and sometimes controversial past.