Victoria Kjær Theilvig from Denmark has made history by winning the title of Miss Universe 2024, becoming the first contestant from Denmark to achieve this honor. The 21-year-old, who is a competitive dancer, entrepreneur, and aspiring lawyer, triumphed over more than 120 other candidates during the prestigious event held in Mexico City on Saturday night.
Theilvig was celebrated by her fellow contestants as she received the tiara from the current Miss Universe, Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua. The star-studded finale featured a performance by singer Robin Thicke and was hosted by Mario Lopez, known from “Saved by the Bell,” alongside former Miss Universe Olivia Culpo.
The pageant kicked off with a preliminary round where contestants were narrowed down to a shortlist of 30, highlighting a vibrant national costume contest. From there, semi-finalists showcased their poses in swimwear before 12 women moved on to the evening gown segment. The final five contestants faced a series of questions exploring themes such as leadership and resilience. Theilvig’s poignant response to a question about living without judgment showcased her confidence—she stated, “I live by each day.” In her inspiring message to viewers, she encouraged perseverance and emphasized the importance of striving for change, saying, “I want to make history.”
Chidimma Adetshina from Nigeria was named the first runner-up, while Maria Fernanda Beltran from Mexico took the second runner-up position. The top five also included Suchata Chuangsri from Thailand and Ileana Marquez Pedroza from Venezuela, marking a significant moment as Pedroza became one of the first mothers to reach this level in the competition following recent changes to age and family restrictions.
This year’s pageant was particularly historic, as it allowed contestants aged over 28 to participate for the first time in its 72-year history. The Miss Universe Organization has taken substantial steps towards modernizing the competition in response to calls for change, including lifting a ban on pregnant women and mothers, as well as those who have ever been married.
Additionally, this year’s competition witnessed new countries de-buting or returning after long absences, including Cuba, which last participated in 1967. Although some national contests faced controversies leading up to the event, the overall atmosphere remained focused on empowerment and celebration of diversity in female representation.
The success of Theilvig highlights not just her personal achievement but also the progressive spirit of the Miss Universe Organization, showcasing a brighter and more inclusive future for beauty pageants.
By reflecting the evolving values of society, the pageant further encourages women of all ages and backgrounds to pursue their ambitions fearlessly.