Victoria Kjær Theilvig becomes first Danish winner of miss universe

Victoria Kjær Theilvig has made history. The 20-year-old entrepreneur, dancer, and beauty queen is Denmark’s first-ever Miss Universe. She won the 73rd edition of the global competition, held in Mexico City, becoming a symbol of inspiration for millions.

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Victoria Kjær Theilvig, who hails from Søborg, grew up in Copenhagen. She has a business and marketing degree from Lyngby Handelsgymnasium and runs her own jewellery business specialising in diamonds. Her passion for animal protection and her commitment to the arts have added depth to her profile as a modern beauty queen.

The Danish beauty is also a professional dancer and teacher. Dance, she says, is her way of connecting with others and staying true to herself. “I live by each day,” she shared, when asked how she would live differently if free from judgment.

A Night of Glitz and Glamour

The finale in Mexico City was nothing short of spectacular. Singer Robin Thicke performed, while hosts Mario Lopez and Olivia Culpo guided the evening. Over 120 contestants from across the globe competed for the coveted title.

The competition began with a vibrant national costume contest and a preliminary round. From there, the field narrowed to 30 semi-finalists. They showcased their confidence in swimwear before 12 advanced to the evening gown segment. The final five then faced challenging questions on leadership and resilience.

Victoria Kjær Theilvig dazzled throughout, earning her tiara from outgoing Miss Universe, Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua. Her heartfelt words resonated with the audience: “Keep fighting, no matter where you come from. Tonight, I’m making history.”

A Progressive Year for Miss Universe

This year’s pageant marked significant milestones. For the first time in 72 years, the competition removed the upper age limit, allowing women over 28 to participate. Over two dozen finalists broke the previous age barriers, including Beatrice Njoya of Malta, the first woman in her 40s to reach the grand finale.

In another progressive move, the Miss Universe Organisation lifted bans on married, pregnant, or mother contestants. This paved the way for Venezuela’s Ileana Marquez Pedroza, a 28-year-old mother, to break into the top five.

Celebrating Diversity

The competition featured new entries from countries like Belarus, Eritrea, and the United Arab Emirates. Cuba returned for the first time since 1967, represented by Marianela Ancheta. However, Saudi Arabia was notably absent despite earlier speculation about its debut.

This year also saw some controversies. Nigeria’s Chidimma Adetshina, the first runner-up, had faced xenophobic backlash during her time in South Africa’s pageant. Meanwhile, Nicaragua’s contest director resigned amid political tensions, underscoring the challenges some contestants and organisers face.

Victoria Kjær Theilvig’s victory is a testament to perseverance, talent, and embracing change. Her win isn’t just a triumph for Denmark but a step forward for inclusivity and modernisation in pageantry.