Mia le Roux, Miss South Africa 2024, announced her withdrawal from the Miss Universe competition, scheduled for November 16 in Mexico, due to health problems.
Aged 28 and the first deaf woman crowned in the history of the South African pageant, she had spent several weeks preparing to represent her country on the international stage.
In a statement, the Miss South Africa Organization said “her health and well-being are their top priority” and pledged to support Mia le Roux until she makes a full recovery. The last-minute decision means South Africa will not be represented at the 73rd edition of Miss Universe, where it was due to compete alongside 120 contestants.
In August, Mia le Roux made history by becoming the first deaf woman to win the title of Miss South Africa. Diagnosed with profound hearing loss at the age of one, she uses a cochlear implant and had undergone two years of therapy to learn to speak. She made an impression by saying she wanted to represent “the beautiful diversity” of her country on the international stage.
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