• Alejandra Marisa Rodríguez, a 60-year-old lawyer and journalist, made history as the first contestant of her age to win the Miss Universe Buenos Aires title, beating contestants aged 18 to 73
• The Miss Universe pageant no longer has an age limit of 28, allowing women 18 and older to compete for the title, a change announced by the 2023 winner R’Bonney Gabriel during New York Fashion Week
• Alejandra will compete for the Miss Universe title against contestants from each province in Argentina, following the organization’s update to be more inclusive and showcase a new paradigm in beauty pageants, emphasizing values over physical beauty.
Here is what happened:
Alejandra Marisa Rodríguez, the 2024 Miss Universe Buenos Aires winner, made history as the first 60-year-old contestant to win the prestigious title. The lawyer and journalist from La Plata beat out 34 other contestants ranging from 18 to 73 years old. After her victory, Alejandra expressed her excitement at representing a new paradigm in beauty pageants by emphasizing values beyond physical beauty. She is proud to be at the forefront of this new generation in beauty pageants.
Alejandra will soon compete for the Miss Universe title, going up against contestants from different provinces in Argentina. The event, scheduled for May 25 in the City of Buenos Aires, will determine who will represent the country in the worldwide pageant on September 28. This milestone win comes after the Miss Universe pageant eliminated the age limit of 28, allowing women 18 and older to vie for the title.
The 2023 Miss Universe winner, R’Bonney Gabriel, announced the removal of the age limit during New York Fashion Week. She praised the organization for its commitment to inclusivity and for being a leader in the industry. R’Bonney raised the issue of age restrictions during the pageant’s question segment, advocating for an increase in the age limit. She emphasized that age does not define women and encouraged seizing the present moment. The bold move by the Miss Universe pageant reflects a broader trend towards more inclusive beauty standards in the industry.
