RBC-Ukraine reports on who won the competition and how Ukraine's representative Alina Ponomarenko performed.
Who won Miss Universe 2024 and what place did Ukraine take
The title of Miss Universe 2024 was won by 21-year-old Victoria Kjær Tøjlvig from Denmark. She brought her country its first-ever victory in the competition.
The young woman is a dancer, entrepreneur, and aspiring lawyer.
Victoria Kjaer Tailvig (photo: instagram.com/victoriaakjaer)
Victoria, who also became the first blonde winner in a long time, received the tiara to applause from the other contestants from the current titleholder, Shainy Palacios of Nicaragua.
The winner of the contest Miss Universe-2024 (photo: instagram.com/missuniverse)
The first runner-up was Nigeria's Chidimma Adetshina.
Chidimma Adetshina (photo: instagram.com/chichi_vanessa)
Second place in the competition went to María Fernanda Beltrán from Mexico.
Third place was awarded to Suchata Chuangsri from Thailand, followed by Venezuela's Ileana Márquez.
It is worth noting that the last time a European contestant won the title was eight years ago – the 2016 Miss Universe winner was Frenchwoman Iris Mittenaere.
Unfortunately, Ukraine's representative Alina Ponomarenko, who impressed everyone with her national costume at the competition, was unable to make it to the grand final.
Alina Ponomarenko (photo: instagram.com/alina.lalli)
The 20-year-old from Odesa, who is involved in social initiatives, including the "Tree of Love" project that provides the elderly with medications, food, and essential items, did not make it into the top 30.
What you need to know about the Miss Universe competition
The Miss Universe competition is one of the oldest and most prestigious beauty pageants in the world. It was founded in 1952 by Pacific Knitting Mills, a company that produced clothing, and was initially intended as a promotional tool for the company's swimsuits. The early competitions were quite modest in scale and were mainly held in the United States.
Over time, the organizers realized that the competition could be much more than just a showcase of beautiful women in swimsuits. New stages were added, such as interviews, where participants were required to demonstrate their intellectual abilities.
The competition quickly expanded beyond the United States and became international. With each passing year, the number of participating countries grew, and the final was held in different locations around the world.
Throughout its history, the competition has changed owners several times, the most notable being Donald Trump, who owned it from 1996 to 2015.
Today, the Miss Universe competition is not just a contest for the title of the most beautiful woman, but also a platform for discussing important social issues. Participants present their social projects aimed at solving global problems.
Which country has the most Miss Universe winners
Venezuela ranks second with seven wins. Among the famous winners are actress Dayana Mendoza and model Stefania Fernandez. The last time a representative from this country won was in 2013, when María Gabriela Isler took the crown.
Puerto Rico follows with five titles, as well as the Philippines, India, and Mexico.
It is worth noting that the final of the Miss International 2024 beauty pageant recently took place in Japan, where Ukraine was represented by 19-year-old Sofia Zghoba.
