Every Miss Universe Winner Since 2000 and the Stories Behind the Crown

Since 2000 the Miss Universe pageant has crowned winners from around the globe and produced several notable milestones. The competition has seen first‑ever winners from countries like Angola (Leila Lopes), Nicaragua (Sheynnis Palacios) and the Philippines (Pia Wurtzbach, Catriona Gray). Other winners used their reigns to champion mental health, sustainable fashion and women’s empowerment. The Mister World competition, though less frequent, has similarly celebrated diversity: winners range from Uruguayan model Ignacio Kliche in 2000 to Puerto Rico’s Daniel Mejía in 2024, with winners distinguished by backgrounds in law, carpentry, science, media and athletics. Together these competitions underscore the evolving ideals of beauty, talent and global representation in modelling.

2000 Miss Universe – Lara Dutta (India)

Became the second Indian woman to win Miss Universe. She had previously won Miss Asia Pacific 1997 and later became an actress and a UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador.

2001 Miss Universe – Denise Quiñones (Puerto Rico)

The fourth Puerto Rican Miss Universe; she won at age 20 and later pursued a career in acting.

2002 Miss Universe – Oxana Fedorova (Russia) / Justine Pasek (Panama)

Oxana Fedorova was initially crowned but later dethroned; first runner-up Justine Pasek of Panama assumed the title, becoming the first runner-up in history to take over the Miss Universe crown.

2003 Miss Universe – Amelia Vega (Dominican Republic)

At 18, she became the youngest Dominican to win Miss Universe and the first titleholder from her country.

2004 Miss Universe – Jennifer Hawkins (Australia)

Representing Australia, Hawkins later built a successful career as a television presenter and businesswoman.

2005 Miss Universe – Natalie Glebova (Canada)

Born in Russia, she emigrated to Canada and became the country’s second Miss Universe winner.

2006 Miss Universe – Zuleyka Rivera (Puerto Rico)

An 18-year-old winner from Puerto Rico who later transitioned into acting in telenovelas.

2007 Miss Universe – Riyo Mori (Japan)

Japan’s second Miss Universe; a trained dancer who used her platform to promote Japanese culture.

2008 Miss Universe – Dayana Mendoza (Venezuela)

The first of back-to-back Venezuelan winners; she later co-hosted Miss Universe events.

2009 Miss Universe – Stefanía Fernández (Venezuela)

At 18, she became the youngest Miss Universe since 1994 and helped Venezuela achieve consecutive wins.

2010 Miss Universe – Ximena Navarrete (Mexico)

Worked as a model and television host and later served as an ambassador for the “Our Mexico Health” campaign.

2011 Miss Universe – Leila Lopes (Angola)

Made history as the first woman from Angola to win Miss Universe, triumphing over 88 competitors.

2012 Miss Universe – Olivia Culpo (United States)

The first American winner since 1997; she later built a career as a model and influencer.

2013 Miss Universe – Gabriela Isler (Venezuela)

Continued Venezuela’s dominance at the pageant and later became a humanitarian ambassador.

2014 Miss Universe – Paulina Vega (Colombia)

Became the second Colombian to win Miss Universe and comes from a family of prominent Colombian achievers.

2015 Miss Universe – Pia Wurtzbach (Philippines)

Won after a memorable host error initially announced another contestant; she later served as a UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador.

2016 Miss Universe – Iris Mittenaere (France)

France’s first Miss Universe since 1953; she studied dentistry before winning the crown.

2017 Miss Universe – Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters (South Africa)

After surviving a carjacking, she used her platform to advocate for women’s self-defence.

2018 Miss Universe – Catriona Gray (Philippines)

Born in Australia, she won while advocating for education and HIV/AIDS awareness.

2019 Miss Universe – Zozibini Tunzi (South Africa)

The third South African winner and the first Black South African woman to hold the Miss Universe title.

2020 Miss Universe – Andrea Meza (Mexico)

Became the third Mexican Miss Universe and holds the record for the shortest complete reign in pageant history.

2021 Miss Universe – Harnaaz Sandhu (India)

Dedicated her reign to issues such as menstrual equality and women’s empowerment.

2022 Miss Universe – R’Bonney Gabriel (United States)

A Filipina-American fashion designer and eco-fashion advocate; the first Filipina-American Miss Universe, known for promoting sustainable fashion and teaching sewing to domestic-violence survivors.

2023 Miss Universe – Sheynnis Palacios (Nicaragua)

The first Nicaraguan and first Central American to win Miss Universe; she studied mass communication, sold buñuelos to fund her education, hosts a mental-health television program, and traveled to at least 31 countries during her reign.

2024 Miss Universe – Victoria Kjær Theilvig (Denmark)

Denmark’s representative for Miss Universe 2024, scheduled to compete in Mexico.

2025 Miss Universe – Fátima Bosch (Mexico)

Listed as Mexico’s planned contestant for the 2025 edition, scheduled to be held in Mexico City.