By Victoria Kjær Theilvig made history Sunday night as Denmark’s first Miss Universe winner, claiming the crown at a spectacular ceremony in Mexico City that featured performances by the Black Eyed Peas’ Taboo and 131 mariachi musicians.
Theilvig, an animal protection advocate who works in diamond sales, edged out Miss Nigeria in the final round, with Miss Mexico taking third place. The victory marks Denmark’s first win in the pageant’s 73-year history.
The grand finale at Mexico City Arena drew passionate crowds of flag-waving supporters from around the world to the 20,000-capacity venue. The evening opened with a performance of “Mexicana,” a song specially created for the contest by Emilio Estefan, featuring Taboo and the mariachi ensemble.
More than 120 contestants competed in this year’s pageant, including first-time participants from Belarus, Eritrea, Guinea, Macau, Maldives, Moldova, and Uzbekistan. The event was hosted by Mario López, alongside former Miss Universe winners Olivia Culpo (2012) and Catriona Gray (2018), and presenter Zuri Hall.
The competition marks Mexico’s third time hosting the international pageant, showcasing the country’s cultural heritage while celebrating global beauty and diversity on one of pageantry’s most prestigious stages.
