The 73rd Miss Universe pageant will take place in Mexico City in Mexico on Saturday, 16 November.
Reigning Miss Universe Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua will crown her successor at the end of the event.
However, she won’t be crowning reigning Miss South Africa Mia le Roux after the beauty from Oudtshoorn pulled out of the contest on Thursday due to ‘health reasons’.
Mia le Roux said, “I am profoundly thankful for the unwavering support from South Africa during my time at Miss Universe. Making this decision has been incredibly challenging, knowing the dreams and hopes that have been placed upon me. However, I am deeply grateful to have the opportunity to focus on my health and recovery so that I may continue to serve my country with full strength.”
The Miss South Africa Organisation added, “Mia has shown incredible courage and grace throughout this difficult period. Her health and well-being are our utmost priority, and we stand by her side, dedicated to ensuring she regains her strength and returns to full health. Our hearts are with her as she takes the necessary steps toward recovery.”
Contestants from a record 125 countries and territories will compete in this year’s pageant.
South Africa has a proud history at the Miss Universe pageant, with three winners in the previous 72 editions.
The three winners from South Africa have been Margaret Gardiner (1978), Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters (2017) and Zozibini Tunzi (2019).
South Africa is tied for fifth-place in terms of most winners alongside India, Mexico and Sweden.
In addition to South Africa’s three wins since the first event was held in 1952, three other African countries have had entrants crowned winners.
They are: Namibia (Michelle McLean – 1992), Botswana (Mpule Kwelagobe – 1999) and Angola (Leila Lopes – 2011).
Africa is ranked fifth out of the six continents to have had Miss Universe winners.
Countries by number of Miss Universe wins
| 9 – United States | 1954, 1956, 1960, 1967, 1980, 1995, 1997, 2012, 2022 |
| 7 – Venezuela | 1979, 1981, 1986, 1996, 2008, 2009, 2013 |
| 5 – Puerto Rico | 1970, 1985, 1993, 2001, 2006 |
| 4 – Philippines | 1969, 1973, 2015, 2018 |
| 3 – India | 1994, 2000, 2021 |
| 3 – Mexico | 1991, 2010, 2020 |
| 3 – South Africa | 1978, 2017, 2019 |
| 3 – Sweden | 1955, 1966, 1984 |
| 2 – France | 1953, 2016 |
| 2 – Colombia | 1958, 2014 |
| 2 – Japan | 1959, 2007 |
| 2 – Canada | 1982, 2005 |
| 2 – Australia | 1972, 2004 |
| 2 – Trinidad and Tobago | 1977, 1998 |
| 2 – Thailand | 1965, 1988 |
| 2 – Finland | 1952, 1975 |
| 2 – Brazil | 1963, 1968 |
| 1 – Nicaragua | 2023 |
| 1 – Angola | 2011 |
| 1 – Dominican Republic | 2003 |
| 1 – Panama | 2002 |
| 1 – Botswana | 1999 |
| 1 – Namibia | 1992 |
| 1 – Norway | 1990 |
| 1 – Netherlands | 1989 |
| 1 – Chile | 1987 |
| 1 – New Zealand | 1983 |
| 1 – Israel | 1976 |
| 1 – Spain | 1974 |
| 1 – Lebanon | 1971 |
| 1 – Greece | 1964 |
| 1 – Argentina | 1962 |
| 1 – Germany | 1961 |
| 1 – Peru | 1957 |
Continents by number of wins
| 23 – North America | 1954, 1956, 1960, 1967, 1970, 1977, 1980, 1982, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2012, 2020, 2022, 2023 |
| 15 – South America | 1957, 1958, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1979, 1981, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1996, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2014 |
| 13 – Asia | 1959, 1965, 1969, 1971, 1973, 1976, 1988, 1994, 2000, 2007, 2015, 2018, 2021 |
| 12 – Europe | 1952, 1953, 1955, 1961, 1964, 1966, 1974, 1975, 1984, 1989, 1990, 2016 |
| 6 – Africa | 1978, 1992, 1999, 2011, 2017, 2019 |
| 3 – Oceania | 1972, 1983, 2004 |
