Denmark’s Victoria Kjaer Theilvig Wins Miss Universe in Pearl Crown

Denmark’s Victoria Kjaer Theilvig was crowned Miss Universe 2024 on Saturday evening in Mexico City. The professional dancer, entrepreneur, and aspiring lawyer beat out over 120 contestants to win the annual competition, which has been held since 1952.

Theilvig accepted the South Sea pearl tiara from last year’s titleholder, Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua. The first and second runners-up were Nigeria’s Chidimma Adetshina and Maria Fernanda Beltran of Mexico, respectively.

Hosted by Mario Lopez and former Miss Universe Olivia Culpo, the pageant featured a performance from Robin Thicke.

As of 2024, the upper age limit for Miss Universe has been lifted, with women over the age of 28 years old competing for the first time. Other restrictions have been altered in recent years, permitting married women and mothers to become contestants in Miss Universe as of 2022.

The top five partook in a question and answer portion during the final segment of the competition, where they were asked to speak to young women watching Miss Universe.

“My message to all the world out there watching is no matter where you come from, no matter what your past, you can always turn it into your strength,” Theilvig said. “It will never define who you are. You just have to keep fighting. I stand here today because I want to change. I want to make history and that’s what I’m doing tonight. Never give up. Follow your dreams and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.”

For the finale, Theilvig donned a strapless pink gown with intricate beading and a plunging neckline, pairing it with embellished sheer elbow-length gloves.

Jewelmer designed the Miss Universe crown, which was crafted with the national gem of the Philippines: the golden South Sea pearl. The Lumière de l’Infini tiara is encrusted with diamonds and features a sunburst motif at the center. Following her crowning, Theilvig was also presented with a matching golden South Sea pearl necklace.

“A majestic homage to life and its universal elements, diamond-adorned rays reflect the light and fire emanating from the sun,” reads a post on Jewelmer’s Instagram account. “Tendrils of diamonds and rich gold recall the seafoam meeting the shores and the air blowing on the waves. Golden South Sea pearls evoke the sphere of the Earth, radiating beauty from the ocean, our source of life, to the whispers and promises of the universe and its infinite beyond.”