Victoria Kjær Theilvig of Denmark has been crowned Miss Universe 2024.

 

Victoria Kjær Theilvig from Denmark has been crowned Miss Universe 2024, making history as the first Dane to ever win the prestigious title. The 21-year-old, who is a competitive dancer, entrepreneur, and aspiring lawyer, triumphed over more than 120 contestants during the pageant held in Mexico City on Saturday night. 

Theilvig received her tiara from reigning Miss Universe, Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua, amid applause from her fellow contestants. 

The star-studded event featured a performance by Robin Thicke and was hosted by Mario Lopez of *Saved by the Bell* fame, along with former Miss Universe Olivia Culpo. The competition began with 30 semi-finalists, selected from the preliminary rounds, including the national costume contest. The semi-finalists paraded in swimwear, with 12 advancing to the evening gown segment.

During the final round, the top five contestants answered questions on topics such as leadership and resilience. When asked how she would live differently if there were no judgment, Theilvig responded, "I live by each day." She later encouraged viewers to "keep fighting ... no matter where you come from" and declared, "I stand here today because I want a change, I want to make history, and that's what I'm doing tonight."

Nigeria's Chidimma Adetshina finished as first runner-up, while Mexico's Maria Fernanda Beltran claimed second runner-up. Thailand's Suchata Chuangsri and Venezuela's Ileana Marquez Pedroza rounded out the top five. Pedroza, a 28-year-old mother, made history as the first mother to reach the Miss Universe top five after the competition lifted age and motherhood restrictions in recent years.

2024 also marked a significant change in Miss Universe’s rules, with the removal of the age limit for contestants. This was the first time women over the age of 28 were allowed to compete, with some finalists, like Malta’s Beatrice Njoya, making history as the first contestant in her 40s to reach the grand finale. The change followed increasing calls for the pageant to modernize, and the Miss Universe Organization also lifted a ban on pregnant women, mothers, and women who have been married.

Delegates for the Miss Universe competition were selected through local pageants that hold licenses from the Miss Universe Organization. This year, Cuba made its return to the pageant for the first time since 1967, represented by Marianela Ancheta. In addition, several countries, including Belarus, Eritrea, and the United Arab Emirates, participated for the first time. However, the Miss Universe Organization clarified in April that Saudi Arabia would not be debuting in the 2024 competition, dismissing rumors as "false and misleading."

The lead-up to this year’s final was not without controversy. In South Africa, Miss Universe contestant Adetshina resigned from the national competition after facing questions about her nationality, which sparked a wave of xenophobic backlash. She later went on to represent Nigeria.

In Nicaragua, the Miss Universe national contest director, Karen Celebertti, resigned last December just weeks after Sheynnis Palacios was crowned. Celebertti, along with her husband and son, faced accusations of conspiracy and treason related to an alleged plot to overthrow the government. Neither Celebertti nor the Nicaraguan government provided comments when approached by CNN.