An Evolution of Miss Universe Winners Over the Last Decade [Pictures]

You know what they say about beauty.

Miss Universe

History was made when just last week, Zozibini Tunzi was crowned Miss Universe 2019, making her the first dark-skinned woman with natural hair to win the award.  This is historic because it happened for the first time in the beauty pageant’s 67 years.

This was a proud moment for women of color all across the world as Zozibini Tunzi with her natural hair, wore that crown. While we have had black women wear the crown before, such as Janelle Commisslong, the first Miss Universe from Trinidad and Tobago, this time around the winner was also included someone who did not opt for anything other than their natural hairstyle.

So far, a total of six black women have won the Miss Universe crown. The moment also raised the question of how the Miss Universe pageant has a lot of catching up to do if that’s the case.

From the first African-American Miss USA, Chelsi Smith who won Miss Universe 1995 to Leila Lopes the first winner from Angola.


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The pageant is said to represent the beauty of women all over the world.

Here’s a look at the winners of Miss Universe award over the years:

Zozibini Tunzi (2019)

This isn’t the first time that South Africa took home the crown. Zozibini Tunzi is the third Miss South Africa to take the coveted crown, after Margaret Gardiner in 1978 and Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters in 2017. Yet she’s the first black woman from South Africa to take the crown.

The 26-year-old is an activist who fights against gender-based violence.

 

Catriona Gray (2018)

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Catriona Gray took home the crown last year for the Philipines. She has a Master Certificate in Music Theory from Berklee College of Music and works with Young Focus Philippines, an education based NGO.

She’s more known for her advocacy for HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention and supports Love Yourself Philippines, an organisation devoted to free HIV/AIDS testing.

 

Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters (2017)

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The South African has a degree in Business Management from the North West University. She is the second South African to hold the coveted crown.

 

Iris Mittenaere (2016)

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On January 29, Iris Mittenaere became the 65th winner and only the second woman from France to take the crown. She took home the crown 64 years after the last Miss Universe from France.

 

Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach (2015)

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Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach made history when she became the third woman from the Philippines to win the title.

 

Paulina Vega (2014)

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The 63rd winner was only the second woman from Colombia to win the coveted crown. Previously, Luz Marina Zuluaga from Colombia captured the crown in 1958.

 

Gabriela Isler (2013)

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Venezuela puts a lot of pressure on women competing in pageants. Unsurprisingly, the country has taken home the crown seven times. The last time Venezuela won was when Gabriela Islaer took the crown in 2013.

 

Olivia Culpo (2012)

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Hailing from Cranston, Rhode Island, this Miss USA took home the crown 15 years after America’s last win. The 21-year old beauty won the titles of Miss Rhode Island USA, Miss USA, and Miss Universe within 15 months.


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Leila Lopes (2011)

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Leila Lopes is the first Miss Universe from Angola. She was the 5th black woman to take the crown. The woman made history in 2011.

 

Ximena Navarrete (2010)

https://www.instagram.com/p/B5sT8ZJJ1PO/

Ximena Navarrete is only the second Mexican beauty queen to win the coveted crown.