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The Miss Universe pageant did not begin as the global spectacle it is known as today. It was born in 1952 out of a commercial dispute, when a major swimwear company sought to create its own beauty event after a Miss America winner refused to pose in one of its designs. What began as a marketing response quickly transformed into a cultural phenomenon. Hosted in Long Beach, California, the inaugural competition featured contestants from around the world and introduced a new format that blended elegance, diplomacy, and international pride.
By the 1960s and 1970s, Miss Universe had exploded into a global sensation. Television broadcasts carried the pageant into millions of homes, and audiences became captivated not only by the gowns and glamour but by the stories of young women who represented countries, cultures, and aspirations. It was an era when a crown could launch a career, influence fashion, and capture headlines from Manila to Mexico City. At its peak, Miss Universe was not just entertainment — it was a cultural force.
But as entertainment evolved, the pageant faced a shifting landscape. New generations demanded different values, media fragmented, and global conversations about beauty and representation changed. The organization experienced moments of reinvention, periods of decline, and waves of reinvestment to keep it relevant.
One of the most publicly scrutinized eras began when Donald Trump purchased the Miss Universe Organization in the mid-1990s. Under his ownership, the pageant gained unprecedented visibility but also inherited controversy. Trump used the platform to elevate his personal brand, yet behind the scenes he confronted challenging business deals — including a significant financial dispute in Mexico. While attempting to expand the pageant’s presence in Latin America, he became embroiled in litigation after claiming he was defrauded by local business partners involved in hosting arrangements. The episode ultimately became an anecdote in the organization’s complex history, illustrating the risks of high-profile international ventures.
Years later, Trump’s 2015 presidential campaign remarks about Mexican immigrants ignited a media and political firestorm. Major broadcasters severed ties with the Miss Universe brand, pushing the organization into yet another turning point. Ownership eventually transferred to a global entertainment conglomerate, and later to new leadership in Asia, which sought to modernize the pageant with a renewed focus on inclusivity, advocacy, and digital platforms.
Yet despite the turbulence, Miss Universe continues to endure. It may no longer command the massive influence it once held, but it remains a stage where powerful personal narratives emerge — where triumph sometimes rises from controversy, and where the spotlight still matters to millions around the world.
It is within this context that the victory of Fátima Bosch Fernández of Mexico, crowned Miss Universe 2025, becomes more than just a personal achievement. Her coronation symbolizes the resilience of both a contestant and an institution navigating a changing world.
Fátima Bosch Fernández of Mexico was crowned Miss Universe 2025 on Friday, marking a dramatic victory for the 25-year-old at the 74th edition of the international beauty pageant, held at the Impact Challenger Hall in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi, Thailand.
The first runner-up was Praveenar Singh, 29, of Thailand, followed by Stephany Adriana Abasali Nasser, 25, of Venezuela in third place. Rounding out the top five were Ahtisa Manalo, 28, of the Philippines, and Olivia Yacé, 27, of the Ivory Coast. Victoria Kjær Theilvig of Denmark, Miss Universe 2024, crowned Bosch as her successor.
The event was hosted by American comedian and actor Steve Byrne, with commentary from Miss Universe 1993 Dayanara Torres and Miss Universe 2022 R’Bonney Gabriel. Singer Jeff Satur delivered a special performance. The pageant took place during Thailand’s official mourning period following the death of Sirikit, former queen consort, prompting organizers to adjust certain ceremonies under government guidelines.
Controversy overshadowed the lead-up to coronation night. On November 4, during a sash ceremony, Thai pageant organizer Nawat Itsaragrisil reprimanded Bosch for missing promotional commitments. He allegedly insulted her and ordered security to escort her out. Several contestants left the room in protest, and reigning Miss Universe Victoria Kjær Theilvig called the behavior “beyond disrespectful.” The Miss Universe Organization swiftly distanced itself, canceled the sash ceremony, and restricted Itsaragrisil’s involvement. He later issued an apology, denying the specific language attributed to him.
Further tension emerged when three jury members resigned before the final event. French-Lebanese musician Omar Harfouch claimed that an unofficial committee had preselected finalists, accusations the organization strongly rejected, reaffirming its adherence to standard judging procedures.
Despite the surrounding chaos, Bosch displayed composure and professionalism, earning praise from viewers and fellow contestants. Her victory, achieved under pressure and public scrutiny, resonated widely — particularly in Mexico, where she became a symbol of perseverance after being humiliated by an event organizer early in the competition.
Born in Teapa, Tabasco, Bosch pursued a bachelor’s degree in fashion and apparel design at Universidad Iberoamericana after completing her early education locally. She first gained national recognition in 2018 by winning the Flor Tabasco crown, later representing her home state at the Miss Universe Mexico 2025 pageant, where she earned the national title.
Her Miss Universe triumph marks a significant moment for Mexico — and another chapter in the long, evolving story of a pageant that continues, against all odds, to reinvent itself.
