Denmark's Victoria Kjær Theilvig Makes History as Miss Universe 2024

Victoria Kjær Theilvig of Denmark has been crowned Miss Universe 2024, making history as the first Danish contestant to win the prestigious competition.

The 21-year-old competitive dancer, entrepreneur, and aspiring lawyer triumphed over 120 contestants at the annual beauty pageant, held Saturday night in Mexico City. As she received the tiara from reigning titleholder Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua, Theilvig was met with applause and admiration from her fellow contestants on stage.

A Star-Studded Finale

The grand event featured live entertainment by singer Robin Thicke and was hosted by actor Mario Lopez and former Miss Universe Olivia Culpo. The pageant began with the top 30 contestants, who were shortlisted based on their performances in the preliminary rounds, including a vibrant national costume showcase.

The competition intensified as semi-finalists competed in swimwear and evening gown rounds, with only five advancing to the final question-and-answer segment. Topics ranged from leadership to resilience, with Theilvig impressing the judges with her heartfelt responses.

When asked how she would live differently without judgment, Theilvig confidently replied, “I wouldn’t change anything; I live by each day.” She later inspired viewers with her message: “Keep fighting … no matter where you come from.”

Historic Moments and Milestones

Chidimma Adetshina of Nigeria finished as the first runner-up, while Maria Fernanda Beltran of Mexico claimed the second runner-up position. Rounding out the top five were Thailand's Suchata Chuangsri and Venezuela's Ileana Marquez Pedroza. Notably, Pedroza, a 28-year-old mother, made history by competing after recent rule changes allowed married women and mothers to participate.

This year’s competition marked the first time in Miss Universe history that women over the age of 28 were eligible, with over two dozen contestants exceeding the previous age limit. Malta’s Beatrice Njoya further broke barriers by becoming the first finalist in her 40s to compete at the grand finale.

Evolving Tradition

The Miss Universe Organization has embraced significant reforms in recent years, lifting bans on married and pregnant contestants and addressing calls for greater inclusivity. Countries like Cuba, Belarus, Eritrea, and the UAE participated for the first time, while Saudi Arabia refuted reports of debuting in 2024.

Despite its grandeur, the pageant faced controversies. Nigeria’s Adetshina initially withdrew from Miss Universe South Africa due to xenophobic backlash but later represented her home country. Similarly, political turmoil in Nicaragua led to the resignation of the local pageant director shortly after Palacios’ victory last year.

Victoria Kjær Theilvig’s victory not only highlights her exceptional talent but also reflects the Miss Universe pageant’s ongoing evolution toward inclusivity and representation on a global stage.