Fátima Bosch.-Mexico’s Miss Universe 2025!
Bangkok, Nov 21 (EFE).-
Mexican contestant Fátima Bosch, 25, won the Miss Universe pageant on Friday at the competition’s final gala in Thailand. Thailand’s Veena Praveenar placed second, followed by Venezuela’s Stephany Abasaly in third.
Bosch won the title at the end of a gala featuring contestants from 120 countries and territories, including nine mothers, one transgender woman, a genocide survivor, and the first-ever representative from Palestine.
Bosch — who succeeded Denmark’s Victoria Kjaer — drew widespread attention earlier in the competition after she demanded respect from Thai organizer Nawat Itsaragrisil, who told her to “be quiet” during a livestreamed session. The incident sparked criticism across social media, including from Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum.
During the pageant’s question rounds, Bosch said she intends to use her Miss Universe platform “in service of others,” encouraging women to “be brave” and make a difference in their own fields.
The Philippines’ Ahtisa Manalo and Ivory Coast’s Olivia Yacé finished fourth and fifth, respectively.
After 20 days of events in Thailand, contestants took part in the final show, which began around 8 p.m. local time (1 p.m. GMT). The event was hosted by U.S. comedian Steve Byrne, with a newly refreshed judging panel following the resignation of two judges earlier in the week amid allegations of possible fraud.
This year’s edition was marked by several controversies, including Nawat’s comments toward Bosch; tensions between Thailand’s Miss Grand International (MGI) organization and the Miss Universe Organization (MUO), with both sides threatening legal action; and the resignation of two judges amid accusations of fraud and corruption.
Despite the disputes, the edition continued the pageant’s decade-long push toward inclusion. That included the participation of several mothers — allowed only since 2023 — as well as Palestine’s first contestant, Nadeen Ayoub; Rwandan genocide survivor Solange Tuyishime; and Vietnam’s Nguyen Huong Giang, the sole transgender contestant. EFE
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