- The 73rd Miss Universe 2024 pageantry was recently held in Mexico
- The pageant saw Nigeria’s Chidimma Adetshina emerge as first runner-up, making history for the country
- Following that, TheRadar curated a list of the 14 most successful African models at the Miss Universe since its inception in 1952
Miss Chidimma Adetshina, Nigeria’s representative at the Miss Universe 2024 competition, recently made history by emerging first runner-up.
The 73rd edition of the international pageant was held on Sunday, November 17, in Mexico City for the first time since 2007.
The event saw Denmark’s Victoria Kjaer Theilvig emerge winner of the contest. Theilvig took over the crown from Miss Universe 2023 Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua.
However, since the first edition of the Miss Universe pageant, held in 1952 and won by Armi Kuusela of Finland, African models have made their indelible marks, and Chidimma’s recent feat further amplified their consistency.
TheRadar, in this piece, curated a list of 14 Africa’s most successful models at Miss Universe since its inception, highlighting their titles and countries.
Africa's most successful models at Miss Universe
- 2024 - Chidimma Vanessa Adetshina—Nigeria — 1st Runner-up
- 2021 - Lalela Mswane —South Africa — 2nd Runner-up
- 2019 - Zozibini Tunzi — South Africa — Winner
- 2018 - Tamaryn Green —South Africa — 1st Runner-up
- 2017 - Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters — South Africa — Winner
- 2011 - Leila Lopes— Angola —Winner
- 2003 - Cindy Nell — South Africa —2nd Runner-up
- 2002 - Vanessa Carreira— South Africa —3rd Runner-up
- 1999 - Mpule Kwelagobe —Botswana —Winner
- 1992 - Michelle McLean — Namibia —Winner
- 1985 - Benita Murekatete —Democratic Republic of Congo —2nd Runner-up
- 1984 - Letitia Snyman — South Africa —1st Runner-up
- 1978 - Margaret Gardner —South Africa —Winner
- 1960 - Nicolette Caras —South Africa —3rd Runner-up
Chidinma Adetshina's 5 unforgettable fashion moments at Miss Universe 2024
If there’s something that stood out aside from Chidinma Adetshina’s admirable performance at the just-concluded 73rd Miss Universe 2024 beauty pageant, it is her culturally inspired fashion which represented Nigeria’s heritage.
Her journey from winning Miss Universe Nigeria to taking the crown of first runner-up showcased her deep sense of fashion and storytelling through fabrics, beads, shells, and other cultural elements that pay homage to African culture.
Earlier, TheRadar spotlighted five notable fashion moments of Chidinma Adetshina at the recent 73rd Miss Universe 2024 competition.
