Volkswacht Bodensee - Denmark's Victoria Kjaer Theilvig crowned Miss Universe 2024

The 21-year-old dancer, entrepreneur, and animal rights activist beat out more than 120 contestants in the pageant's 73rd edition held in Mexico City.

First runner-up was Chidimma Adetshina, a law student representing Nigeria, followed by Maria Fernanda Beltran of Mexico, Suchata Chuangsri of Thailand, and Ileana Marquez of Venezuela.

Marquez, 28, had earlier made history as the first mother to be crowned Miss Venezuela.

After the 2023 competition included married, plus-sized and transgender contestants, this year's featured women older than 28 -- the cutoff in previous pageants.

Among them was Beatrice Njoya of Malta, who at 40 became the oldest woman to reach the grand finale.

Adetshina was formerly a Miss South Africa finalist before she was hounded over a nationality row which forced her to represent Nigeria.

It was the fifth time Mexico has hosted the contest, which has been criticized for promoting outmoded ideas of femininity.

The pageant has sought to evolve and rebrand itself after being acquired by JKN Global Group, headed by Thai media mogul and transgender rights campaigner Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip.

In January, the Mexico-based Legacy Holding acquired a 50 percent stake in Miss Universe.

A.Ruegg--VB