Zozibini Tunzi Of South Africa Crowned Miss Universe 2019

Dec 10, 2019 by apost team

South Africa’s Zozibini Tunzi, 26, was crowned this year’s Miss Universe, with the nation bringing home the crown a second time in its three years competing. 

Tunzi is a gender-violence activist in her home country. She was forced to pause her studies for one year due to her family going through a rough patch financially but was, later on, able to continue thanks to modeling.

She graduated last year with a BA in public relations management from Cape Peninsula University of Technology.

apost.com

When asked why she should win the title of Miss Universe, the 26-year-old said, "I grew up in a world where a woman who looks like me — with my kind of skin and my kind of hair — was never considered to be beautiful," she explained. "I think it is time that that stops today. I want children to look at me and see my face and I want them to see their faces reflected in mine."

The two runner-ups were Puerto Rico's Madison Anderson and Mexico’s Sofia Aragon second.

This year’s pageant also made headlines with Myanmar’s contestant Swe Zin Htet came out as gay. She is the first contestant to do so in the pageant’s history. Additionally, homosexuality is still an offense in Myanmar punishable by up to 10 years in prison. 

What do you think of this year’s Miss Universe? Let us know in the comments - and make sure you pass this along to your friends and family!