Did you know that as of 2023, mothers now have the chance to be crowned Miss Universe? The new rule allowed moms, as well as married and divorced women, to join the contest. It was one of the last legacies left behind by the former Miss Universe Organization President Paula Shugart. Miss Universe Colombia 2023 Camila Avella became the first candidate who was married and had a child in the history of the contest. She even finished within the Top 5!
Many are following in her footsteps because, in the second year of this new rule, we're seeing more inspiring women who juggle motherhood's joys and sacrifices now chasing their dreams of becoming the next Miss Universe.
We will meet the new Miss Universe on Sunday, November 17, in Mexico City. Of the 126 delegates, 14 candidates are mothers. Is the Miss Universe Organization finally ready to crown the first Queen Mother?
14 Miss Universe 2024 Beauty Queens Who Are Also Mothers
1. Miss Bangladesh Aniqa Alam
Representing her country on the Miss Universe stage for the first time in three years, 34-year-old Miss Universe Bangladesh Aniqa Alam is a mother to a two-year-old boy named Avien. She is also a talented makeup artist and holds a degree in Political Science from Loyola Marymount University. Aniqah is a vocal advocate for women's empowerment.
2. Miss Brazil Luana Cavalcante
When she's not busy chasing after her six-year-old son Pedro, Miss Universe Brazil Luana Cavalcante is preoccupied with her work as a professional model and actress. The Pernambuco native is the first woman from her state as well as the first married woman and mother to win the national title. She's married to business tycoon Luiz Carlos Fassoni.
3. Miss Cambodia Davin Prasath
Mother, model, philanthropist—Miss Universe Cambodia Davin Prasath is always booked and busy. The 33-year-old model and beauty queen from Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, has quite the resume. The most impressive, in addition to winning the Miss Universe Cambodia crown ofc, is her work as the former director of Mister Friend International Cambodia in 2023.
4. Miss Costa Rica Elena Hidalgo
Miss Universe Costa Rica Elena Hidalgo is the 32-year-old mother of a six-year-old girl. She is the first mother to represent Costa Rica in the competition. Elena is also a professional model and digital marketer, having walked in shows in France, Italy, and Mexico.
5. Miss Egypt Logina Salah
As a mother to a young girl, Miss Universe Egypt Logina Salah knows how important it is to be a role model and champion for other women. She established Beyond The Surface Movement, a page dedicated to making the world a better place for children. She's also breaking beauty standards by becoming the first Miss Universe candidate with vitiligo.
6. Miss Equatorial Guinea Diana Dashaira Angono Mouhafo
Diana Dashaira Angono Mouhafo, representing Equatorial Guinea in the competition, is a mother to a four-year-old boy. The 25-year-old beauty queen holds a bachelor's degree in commerce and marketing and works full-time as a marketing coordinator.
7. Miss Honduras Stephanie Cam
Born in Queens, New York, and currently living in the United States with her seven-year-old daughter, Miss Universe Honduras Stephanie Cam is a professional model and former dancer with a background in ballet, tap and street dance. The proud Latina won the Best Skin Award during the preliminary round of the Miss Universe 2024 competition.
8. Miss Malta Beatrice Njoya
At 40 years old, Miss Universe Malta Beatrice Njoya is the oldest candidate in the history of the Miss Universe pageant. The Cameroon-born model and sports lover is a mother to three children: Faith (20), Nathan (11) and Emma (10). She works as a Player Risk Analyst in the gaming industry.
9. Miss Netherlands Faith Landman
Hailing from Amsterdam, Miss Universe Netherlands Faith Landman has a three-year-old son. The 26-year-old beauty queen is an advocate for sustainable living and environmental conservation. And she's not a newbie to the pageant life—she competed at the Miss Earth 2017 competition and finished within the Top 8.
10. Miss Puerto Rico Jennifer Colon
Miss Universe Puerto Rico Jennifer Colon continues to break barriers as her country's first woman over the age of 28 and the first mother to win the title. Did we mention that she's a strong single mom?! She also has her own practice where she works as an aesthetician and iridologist.
11. Miss Romania Loredana Salanta
Miss Universe Romania Loredana Salanta is another beauty pageant veteran who's getting another chance to clinch the coveted Miss Universe crown. The 33-year-old film and fashion editor and mother of one previously represented her country in the Miss World 2009 in Johannesburg, South Africa. She was also the winner of Top Model of the World 2011 which was held in Germany.
12. Miss United Arab Emirates Emilia Dobreva
Emilia Dobreva, a Kosovo-born model who has lived in the United Arab Emirates for over a decade, is a mother of three and a wife to an Emirati man. She also made history as the first-ever Miss Universe UAE and was crowned just last month in a private ceremony.
13. Miss Venezuela Ileana Márquez Pedroza
Already considered one of the strongest candidates in the competition, Miss Universe Venezuela Ileana Márquez has an inspiring story of resilience and grace to endear herself to the judges. She was a teen mother and raised her daughter on her own. Ileana, like other women on this list, is the first mom to win the Miss Universe crown in her country.
14. Miss Zambia Brandina Lubuli
Capping off this list is Miss Universe Zambia Brandina Lubuli, who has two children (a boy and a girl) with her husband. She made history as the first-ever mother and married woman to represent Zambia in the long-running competition. The 28-year-old advocate for children and women's rights is also the first Miss Universe Zambia to compete since 2018.
