Miss Mexico, Fatima Bosch, was crowned the new Miss Universe on Friday in Thailand, concluding a pageant season fraught with controversy
The 25-year-old made headlines earlier this month after walking out of an event where an official publicly berated her and threatened disqualification of her supporters.
A week later, two judges resigned, one alleging rigging of the competition.
Analysts attribute the disputes to cultural and strategic clashes between the pageant’s Thai and Mexican stakeholders.
Thailand’s Praveenar Singh placed second, with Venezuela, the Philippines, and Côte d'Ivoire rounding out the top five.
This marked Thailand’s fourth time hosting Miss Universe, and their contestant was a fan favorite.
Founded in the US in 1952, Miss Universe is one of the longest-running beauty contests worldwide.
The crowning of Bosch—the 74th Miss Universe reflects the organisation’s determination to remain relevant, shifting from an annual TV event to a modern media brand embracing platforms like TikTok.
Bosch said after her win, “This title is more than a crown; it’s a responsibility to inspire and bring positive change worldwide.”
