Victoria Kjær Theilvig of Denmark has made history, being crowned Miss Universe 2024 at the 73rd Miss Universe Competition held in Mexico City this November. Theilvig is the first Dane ever to win the prestigious title.
The 21-year-old, a competitive dancer, entrepreneur, and aspiring lawyer, triumphed over more than 120 contestants in the annual pageant, held on Saturday night. She was greeted with applause from her fellow contestants as she accepted the tiara from reigning Miss Universe Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua.
This year’s event featured a musical performance by singer Robin Thicke and was hosted by “Saved by the Bell” star Mario Lopez alongside former Miss Universe Olivia Culpo.
The night began with a selection of 30 semi-finalists, chosen from Thursday’s preliminary events, which included the popular national costume competition. The semi-finalists then competed in a swimwear round, with 12 advancing to the evening gown portion. The final five contestants answered questions on topics such as leadership and resilience. When asked how she would live differently if no one judged her, Theilvig replied that she wouldn’t change a thing, saying, “I live by each day.” She also encouraged viewers to “keep fighting … no matter where you come from.”
Nigeria’s Chidimma Adetshina finished as the first runner-up, with Mexico’s Maria Fernanda Beltran placing second. Thailand’s Suchata Chuangsri and Venezuela’s Ileana Marquez Pedroza rounded out the top five, with Pedroza making history as a 28-year-old mother in the final, following recent rule changes.
For the first time in Miss Universe’s 72-year history, women over 28 were allowed to compete. More than two dozen finalists exceeded the previous age limit, including Malta’s Beatrice Njoya, the first woman in her 40s to reach the finale. The age restriction was lifted amid calls for the pageant to modernize, with additional changes permitting married women, mothers, and pregnant contestants.
The competition drew delegates from new countries, including Cuba (which last participated in 1967), Belarus, Eritrea, and the UAE. However, rumors that Saudi Arabia would debut in 2024 were dispelled by the Miss Universe Organization.
The buildup to this year’s competition included controversies. In South Africa, Chidimma Adetshina withdrew due to nationality-based hostility before later representing Nigeria. In Nicaragua, Miss Universe Nicaragua director Karen Celebertti resigned in December amid political allegations.