Sheynnis Palacios' Win Is Just One Of Major Firsts During Miss Universe 2023

When the first Miss Universe was crowned in 1952, she was 17 and single, as the competition required. Before her year as the reigning beauty queen ended, she fell in love and married, thus requiring her to give up her crown to the runner-up; marriage was a big no-no for any Miss Universe back then. 

The 72nd Miss Universe pageant made history by being the first time contestants were allowed to be married, divorced, and to have children. "Women are able to have families, they're able to have a job, they're able to be a spokesperson, and we should not be the ones to say no, you can't do this," Paula Shugart, the then-president of Miss Universe, told ANC after the announcement was made.  

Camila Avella, Miss Colombia, made it into the Top 5, and cheering her along the way were her husband and daughter. "I want to show the universe how capable we women are, be an example and inspiration," she wrote on Instagram. "That being a mother does not limit us to working to fulfill our purposes, that we can play in all the roles we have in life and be successful in each of them."