![]() Logo of Miss Universe Puerto Rico, 2025 | |
Abbreviation | MUPR |
---|---|
Formation | 1952 |
Founded at | San Juan |
Type | Woman’s beauty pageant |
Headquarters | |
Location | |
Membership | Miss Universe |
Official language |
|
Owner | Hemisphere Media Group WAPA-TV |
National director | Yizette Cifredo |
Award(s) | 5 Miss Universe titles: 1970, 1985, 1993, 2001, 2006 |
Website | muniversepr |
Remarks | Se corona una, ganan todas (One is crowned, they all win) [1] |
Miss Universe Puerto Rico is a beauty pageant and organization in Puerto Rico. Established in 1952, it is responsible for selecting and preparing the delegate representing the archipelago and island in the international competition of Miss Universe, one of the Big Four beauty pageants.
Since 2018, the Miss Universe franchise in Puerto Rico is owned by the media conglomerate Hemisphere Media Group as the "Miss Universe Puerto Rico" pageant and organization. It is based in the headquarters of the subsidiary WAPA-TV, which broadcasts the final night of the pageant live from the Luis A. Ferré Performing Arts Center in San Juan, the capital municipality of Puerto Rico. Under the motto "Se corona una, ganan todas" (One is crowned, they all win), Yizette Cifredo, a television presenter, motivational speaker, writer, and former beauty queen, heads the pageant and organization as national director. [2] [1]
Traditionally, the castings of contestants begin in February. Representing a municipality, the delegates undergo months of training as part of the Heel Camp program, a series of comprehensive workshops led by various experts that focus on image, stage presence, communication, emotional intelligence, social service, leadership, and female empowerment. [3] [4] The prerecorded preliminary and live final night of the pageant are usually held in August. The winner of the title of Miss Puerto Rico Universe goes to compete in the international competition of Miss Universe, generally held in November.
The reigning Miss Universe Puerto Rico is Zashely Alicea of Dorado, who was crowned on August 14, 2025, in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
From 1952 to 1995, the Miss Universe franchise in Puerto Rico was held by the businesswoman in the modeling and beauty industry Anna Santisteban, who operated it under the name of "Miss Puerto Rico." From 1996 to 1998, the television station Telemundo Puerto Rico acquired the franchise, naming it "Miss Universe Puerto Rico."
From 1999 to 2002, the television station TeleOnce obtained the franchise, organizing it under the name of "Miss Puerto Rico Universe." From 2003 to 2009, Magali Febles, a beautician working with the delegates of Puerto Rico since the early 1990s, held the franchise, operating it under the same name. From 2010 to 2017, Luisito Vigoreaux and Desireé Lowry, Miss Universe Puerto Rico 1995, held the franchise under the name of "Miss Universe Puerto Rico." [5]
Since 2018, the franchise is owned by the media conglomerate Hemisphere Media Group. The organization is based in the headquarters of subsidiary WAPA-TV, which is the broadcaster of the pageant. Denise Quiñones, Miss Universe 2001, served as director from 2018 to 2021, when TV host, motivational speaker, writer, and former beauty queen Yizette Cifredo took over the role. [6] [2]
Puerto Rico has held the following Miss Universe editions:
Year | Pageant | Location | Venue |
---|---|---|---|
1972 | Miss Universe | Dorado, Puerto Rico | Cerromar Beach Hotel |
2001 | Bayamón, Puerto Rico | Coliseo Rubén Rodríguez | |
2002 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Roberto Clemente Coliseum | |
In 1972, Puerto Rico became the first area outside the contiguous United States to host Miss Universe, making it the first country or territory in Latin America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania to host the pageant. In 2001, Puerto Rico became the first participating country or territory—and only one as of 2024—to win the international title of Miss Universe as a host.
This list includes the name, municipality, and international placement of the titleholders of Miss Universe Puerto Rico in ascending order from the inaugural edition of the competition in 1952 to the present. The titleholders are divided by the name of the franchise under which they won the title.
From 2010 to 2017, Luisito Vigoreaux and Desiree Lowry, Miss Universe Puerto Rico 1995, held the Miss Universe franchise under the name of "Miss Universe Puerto Rico." Since 2018, the organization and pageant is owned by the media conglomerate Hemisphere Media Group, and it is based in the headquarters of its subsidiary WAPA TV. Denise Quiñones, Miss Universe 2001, served as director from 2018 to 2021, when TV host, motivational speaker, writer, and former beauty queen Yizette Cifredo took over the role.
From 1999 to 2002, the television station TeleOnce held the Miss Universe franchise under the name of "Miss Puerto Rico Universe." Magali Febles, a beautician working with the delegates of Puerto Rico since the early 1990s, held the organization and pageant from 2003 to 2009, operating it under the same name.
Year | Municipality represented | Miss Puerto Rico Universe | Performance in Miss Universe | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Placement | Special award(s) | |||
2009 | Cabo Rojo | Mayra Matos Pérez | 4th Runner-Up | |
2008 | Dorado | Ingrid Marie Rivera Santos | Unplaced | |
2007 | Guayanilla | Wilmadilis "Uma" Blasini Pérez | Unplaced | |
2006 | Salinas | Zuleyka Jerrís Rivera Mendoza | Miss Universe 2006 | |
2005 | Salinas | Cynthia Enid Olavarría Rivera | 1st Runner-Up | |
2004 | Cidra | Alba Giselle Reyes Santos | 2nd Runner-Up | Miss Photogenic |
2003 | Vieques | Carla Tricoli Rodríguez | Unplaced | Miss Photogenic |
2002 | Utuado | Isis Marie Casalduc González | Unplaced | Miss Photogenic |
2001 | Lares | Denise Marie Quiñones August | Miss Universe 2001 | Miss Photogenic |
2000 | Guaynabo | Zoraida Isabel Fonalledas Ferraiouli | Unplaced | |
1999 | Lares | Brenda Liz López Ramos | Top 10 | Miss Photogenic |
From 1996 to 1998, the television station Telemundo Puerto Rico held the Miss Universe franchise under the name of "Miss Universe Puerto Rico."
Year | Municipality represented | Miss Universe Puerto Rico | Performance in Miss Universe | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Placement | Special award(s) | |||
1998 | Aguas Buenas | Joyce Marie Giraud Mojica | 2nd Runner-Up | |
1997 | San Juan | Ana Rosa Brito Suárez | Top 10 | |
1996 | Toa Alta | Sarybel Velilla Cabeza | Unplaced |
From 1952 to 1995, the Miss Universe franchise in Puerto Rico was held by the businesswoman in the modeling and beauty industry Anna Santisteban, who operated the organization and pageant under the name of "Miss Puerto Rico."
Year | Municipality represented | Miss Puerto Rico | Performance in Miss Universe | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Placement | Special award(s) | |||
1995 | Corozal | Desiree Lowry Rodríguez | Top 6 | |
1994 | Isabela | Brenda Esther Robles Cortés | Unplaced | |
1993 | Toa Alta | Dayanara Torres Delgado | Miss Universe 1993 | |
1992 | Bayamón | Daisy García Rodríguez | Unplaced | |
1991 | Toa Alta | Lizzette Marie Bouret Echevarría | Unplaced | |
1990 | Guaynabo | Maria Luisa Fortuño Cosimi | Unplaced | |
1989 | Salinas | Catalina María Villar Ruiz | Unplaced | |
1988 | Guaynabo | Isabel Maria Pardo Cubeñas | Unplaced | |
1987 | San Juan | Laurie Tamara Simpson Rivera | 4th Runner-Up | |
1986 | San Germán | Elizabeth Robison Latalladi | Top 10 | |
1985 | San Juan | Deborah Fátima Carthy-Deu | Miss Universe 1985 | |
1984 | Mayagüez | Sandra Beauchamp Roche | Unplaced | |
1983 | Trujillo Alto | Carmen Batíz Vergara | Unplaced | |
1982 | Juncos | Lourdes Milagros Mantero Hormazábal | Unplaced | |
1981 | Guaynabo | Carmen Lotti Rodríguez | Unplaced | |
1980 | Caguas | Agnes Tañón Correa | Top 12 | |
1979 | Mayagüez | Teresa "Tere" López Hernández | Unplaced | |
1978 | San Juan | Ada Cecille Perkins Flores | Unplaced | |
1977 | Ponce | Maria Del Mar Rivera Veglio | Unplaced | |
1976 | Salinas | Elizabeth Zayas Ortiz | Unplaced | |
1975 | San Germán | Lorell Del Carmen Carmona Juan | Unplaced | |
1974 | San Juan | Sonia María Stege Chardón | Top 12 | |
1973 | Orocovis | Gladys Vanessa Colón Díaz | Unplaced | |
1972 | Santurce | Bárbara Torres Viñolo | Unplaced | |
1971 | San Juan | Idalia Margarita "Beba" Franco Cantino | 3rd Runner-Up | |
1970 | Santurce | Marisol Malaret Contreras | Miss Universe 1970 | |
1969 | Río Piedras | Aida Betancourt | Unplaced | |
1968 | Santurce | Marylene Carrasquillo | Unplaced | |
1967 | Fajardo | Ivonne Coll Mendoza | Unplaced | |
1966 | Santurce | Carol Bajandas | Unplaced | |
1965 | Caguas | Gloria Cobián Díaz | Unplaced | |
1964 | San Juan | Yolanda Rodríguez Machín | Unplaced | |
1963 | Ponce | Jeanette Biascoechea | Unplaced | |
1962 | San Juan | Ana Celia Sosa | Unplaced | |
1961 | San Juan | Enid Del Valle | Unplaced | |
1960 | Absent | |||
1959 | ||||
1958 | ||||
1957 | Ponce | Mapita Mercado Cordero | Unplaced | Miss Congeniality |
1956 | San Lorenzo | Paquita Vivo | Unplaced | |
1955 | Trujillo Alto | Carmen Laura Betancourt | Unplaced | |
1954 | San Juan | Lucy Santiago | Unplaced | |
1953 | San Juan | Wanda Irizarry | Unplaced | |
1952 | Lares | Marilia Levy Bernal | Unplaced | |
This list includes the placements, unplacements, and absences of Miss Universe Puerto Rico in the international competition.
Placement | Total | Year |
---|---|---|
Miss Universe | 5 | 1970, 1985, 1993, 2001, 2006 |
1st Runner-up | 2 | 2005, 2019 |
2nd Runner-up | 2 | 1998, 2004 |
3rd Runner-up | 1 | 1971 |
4th Runner-up | 2 | 1987, 2009 |
Top 5/6 | 4 | 1995, 2018, 2022, 2023 |
Top 9/10/12 | 9 | 1974, 1980, 1986, 1997, 1999, 2010, 2020, 2021, 2024 |
Top 13/15/16/20/21/30 | 2 | 2011, 2013 |
Total | 27 | |
Unplaced | 43 | 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1996, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
Absent | 3 | 1958, 1959, 1960 |
Total | 73 |
This list includes the placement streaks, or continuous placements lasting at least three years, of Miss Universe Puerto Rico in the international competition.
Duration | Total | Placements |
---|---|---|
2018–ongoing | 7 | 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 |
2009–2011 | 3 | 2009, 2010, 2011 |
2003–2006 | 2004, 2005, 2006 | |
1997–1999 | 1997, 1998, 1999 | |
1985–1987 | 1985, 1986, 1987 |
This list includes the titleholders of Miss Universe Puerto Rico by the municipality they represented in their national competition.
City | Title | Year |
---|---|---|
San Juan | 12 | 1953, 1954, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1971, 1974, 1978, 1985, 1987, 1997, 2017 |
Guaynabo | 5 | 1981, 1988, 1990, 2000, 2015 |
Salinas | 4 | 1976, 1989, 2005, 2006 |
Santurce | 1966, 1968, 1970, 1972 | |
Lares | 3 | 1952, 1999, 2001 |
Toa Alta | 1991, 1993, 1996 | |
Ponce | 1957, 1963, 1977 | |
Dorado | 2 | 2008, 2025 |
Orocovis | 1973, 2024 | |
Fajardo | 1967, 2022 | |
Toa Baja | 2014, 2019 | |
Isabela | 1994, 2016 [b] | |
Río Grande | 2010, 2012 | |
Corozal | 1995, 2011 | |
San Germán | 1975, 1986 | |
Mayagüez | 1979, 1984 | |
Trujillo Alto | 1955, 1983 | |
Caguas | 1965, 1980 | |
Patillas | 1 | 2023 |
Loíza | 2021 | |
San Sebastián | 2020 | |
Rincón | 2018 | |
Aguadilla | 2016 [b] | |
Arecibo | 2013 | |
Cabo Rojo | 2009 | |
Guayanilla | 2007 | |
Cidra | 2004 | |
Vieques | 2003 | |
Utuado | 2002 | |
Aguas Buenas | 1998 | |
Bayamón | 1992 | |
Juncos | 1982 | |
Río Piedras | 1969 | |
San Lorenzo | 1956 |