Laura Bircher from Nidwalden without a top placement

Danish Victoria Kjær Theilvig has been chosen as the new Miss Universe 2024. At the 73rd edition of the beauty pageant in Mexico City, the 21-year-old was chosen from a total of 127 applicants. The tiara was placed on her head by her predecessor Sheynnis Palacios from Nicaragua. Switzerland was represented by Laura Bircher from Stans. The woman from Nidwalden didn’t make it into the top 30.

For the first time there was no maximum age limit for participation after this was lifted by the organizers. Previously, only women between the ages of 18 and 28 were allowed to compete for the beauty crown. The oldest competitor in the Arena Ciudad de México was Cameroon-born Miss Malta, Beatrice Njoya, who is 40 years old and has three children.

The competition, which has been held since 1952, has taken steps towards greater inclusion in recent years. A year ago, married and divorced women and mothers were admitted for the first time, and in 2018, Miss Spain, a trans woman, was there for the first time. (dpa/nid)