Nicaraguan Sheynnis Palacios was voted the most beautiful woman in the world on Saturday at the 72nd Miss Universe pageant in El Salvador, which included first-time mothers and two transgender contestants.
This is Nicaragua’s first win in the competition. The Thai was voted first runner-up and Australian Moraya Wilson came third.
Sheynnis Palacios, 23, received the crown from American R’Bonney Gabriel, Miss Universe 2022.
The most beautiful woman in the world, who stood out from the 83 other contestants who paraded in swimsuits, evening dresses and traditional costumes, believed that humility and gratitude were her most important qualities.
When answering the jury’s final question, the candidate from Nicaragua emphasized how important it is for women to be paid equally so that they can “work in any field.”
“There are no boundaries for women,” she said.
Colombian Maria Camila Avella, 28, and Michelle Cohn from Guatemala were the first two mothers to take part in the competition. The first managed to be among the five finalists of this competition, where the organizers said they wanted to be more open.
Portugal’s representative Marina Machete, a transgender woman, and Nepal’s Jane Garret, the first curvy contestant to compete in the Miss Universe pageant, also placed in the top 20.
The election took place in the west of the capital in the presence of El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele.
The organizers announced that the next edition would take place in Mexico.