Dayana Mendoza, 2007 winner and Miss Universe 2008 winner
Miss Venezuela (Spanish: Organización Miss Venezuela) is a Venezuelan beauty pageant operated by the Cisneros Group. Founded in 1952, it currently selects Venezuelan representatives to Miss Universe, Miss World, and Miss International.[1][2][3] The current national director of Miss Venezuela is Miss Universe 2013 Gabriela Isler.
The current Miss Venezuela is Stephany Abasali of Anzoátegui who was crowned on 5 December 2024 at the Centro Comercial Líder in Caracas, Venezuela.
History
Manuela Victoria Mujica Antich from Lara, Miss Venezuela 1905, the first titleholder
On 7 May 1905, Manuela Victoria Mujica Antich of Lara, was elected by popular vote as Miss Venezuela. Many authors and scholars in the history of the Miss Venezuela contest consider her as the first Miss Venezuela ever, and its vote as a precursor of the pageant that it is currently known.[4]
Miss Venezuela (1952 - 1981)
The Miss Venezuela pageant was officially founded in 1952 by Pan Am and businesswoman Gloria Sánchez, with the purpose of sending a Venezuelan representative to the Miss Universe pageant in Long Beach, California.
The speed with which the contestants were chosen for that first contest would characterize its first editions, in which parades with different outfits were held over the course of a week or more in different locations in the country. Due to protests by religious organizations at the time, the swimsuit parades were held in private, for jurors only. Eventually, representatives to Miss World (since 1955) and Miss International (since 1960) would also begin to be elected.
After a first interruption in 1954 during the Marcos Pérez Jiménez dictatorship, Pan Am ceded the rights to the contest in 1955 to Venezuelan journalist and musicologist, Reinaldo Espinoza Hernández.
Business-minded, Acosta-Rubio immediately changed the format of the competition. Turning the semi-improvised tourist pageant into an organized annual institution. In order to choose the contestants with professional and responsible criteria, Acosta-Rubio created the so-called Venezuelan Beauty Committee. Developed the publicity projection of the event and broadcast it for the first time on television in 1962, through the RCTV network, began to charge for tickets for the finals. With all these changes accomplished in the late 1960s, the Miss Venezuela contest began to be a favorite and traditional reference among Venezuelans, in the Venezuelan popular culture and more importantly, for Acosta-Rubio, as a profitable and appreciated business.
In 1968, the swimsuit and evening gown portions of the show were broadcast on television for the first time. Although it was not of great importance at the moment, Osmel Sousa began to work in those years as a graphic and fashion designer for the contest.
In 1969, Ignacio Font Coll, brother-in-law of Edwin Acosta-Rubio, who was the creator and president of OPPA Publicidad, appointed him as director of the current Miss Venezuela Organization.
Already in the 1960s, the Acosta-Rubio Organization had begun to obtain excellent results with Mercedes Revenga as first runner-up at the Miss Beauty Form 1964 contest and later on reaching the top 15 at Miss Universe 1964. The choice of Mariela Pérez and Peggy Kopp as first and third runners-up at Miss Universe 1967 and Miss Universe 1968, respectively. Adriana López with the Miss Planet Resort 1967 won, Judith Castillo, being first runner-up at Miss Universe 1976, and Zully Guilarte winning the 1968 Miss Tourism of Central America and the Caribbean pageant. Maritza Sayalero won Miss Universe 1979, being the first edition of Miss Universe to be televised in color in Venezuela. With her win, began what is considered the 'Golden age of Miss Venezuela'.
In 1981, Irene Sáez won Miss Universe 1981, Pilín León won Miss World 1981, in addition to the death of Coll. Finally, in 1982, the Cisneros Group was placed at the helm of the beauty contest and the Miss Venezuela Organization was officially structured. After this, in February 1982, Cisneros and Acosta-Rubio appointed Osmel Sousa (a long time-worker at the empress) as Coll's successor, taking the charge of President. Besides, Joaquín Riviera, María Kallay and Mery Cortez, were appointed as official producer, coordinator and choreographer of the event, respectively.
Starting in 1984, the crowns used in the organization's pageants were made by jewelry designer, George Wittels. Until July 2018, Wittels was in charge of making the goldsmith pieces for the contest. George was succeeded by Mila Toledo, Miss Federal District in 1980.
In 1996, the beauty pageant launched its website, missvenezuela.com. Also, in the same year, the Mister Venezuela competition was founded, as well as, Miss Venezuela Mundo in 2000. In both cases, at the request of the Miss World Organization
In 2009, Venezuela entered the Guinness World Records for being the first and so far only representation in Miss Universe to be crowned by another winner from the same nation.
In 2010, the pageant acquired the Miss Earth franchise, which it maintained until 2015, obtaining Alyz Henrich a second crown for this contest as Miss Earth 2013.
Joaquín Riviera, Miss Venezuela executive producer, would be in charge of the event until his death in 2012. After María Kallay's death in 2013, the production of the event was realized by Peggy Navarro, Ricardo Di Salvatore, Vicente Alvarado and Erick Simonato, who were part of the original production team along with Riviera as General Producer. In 2015, Peggy left office, leaving three managers, who to date are still part of the Miss Venezuela Organization.
In 2016, Mery Cortez, announced her departure from the contest and from Venevisión network, after almost 45 years as the choreographic producer of the contest.
On 6 February 2018, Osmel Sousa, announced his retirement as President of the Miss Venezuela Organization, after being in charge of the contest for more than 40 years, leaving the presidency vacant.
There is an unofficial formula to determine the states and regions represented in Venezuela. The base number of contestants over the last decade has been 26–28, which can be increased or decreased by the contest management.[citation needed]
* Denotes that state has a preliminary pageant – which may or may not still be held – as of 2005 only Táchira, Zulia-Falcón, Lara, Aragua and Sucre held preliminaries.
Together, these 26 regions form the "base" of the Miss Venezuela contest. However, at times other regions and territories have been represented. If there are 27 sashes, the 27th candidate is Miss Peninsula Goajira. If there are 28 sashes, either Canaima (a national park in Bolivar state) or Peninsula de Paraguaná (a region of Falcon state) is represented. In 2003, additional titles of Península de Araya (a region of Sucre State) and Roraima (a national park in Bolivar State) were created to bring the pageant to its highest ever number of contestants: 32. Surprisingly, in 2008 Península de Araya was used again, and there was no Miss Península Goajira or Miss Costa Oriental that year. In the mid-1990s, the districts of Municipio Libertador and Municipio San Francisco were also represented, the last one only in 1997 and 1998. Also, only in 2003, Guayana Esequiba (part of Guyana that historically Venezuela claims as its own) was represented. Vargas State, the most recent modification to Venezuela's map (1999) was always present in the pageant, but with other names: Departamento Vargas (until 1986), Municipio Vargas (1987 to 1997), Territorio Federal Vargas (1998), and Vargas State since 1999. In 2009, only 20 delegates competed for the crown, the same number that competed on the final night in 2003, so some "traditional" states didn't have a representative.
Venezuela's international titleholders represented the following states during their Miss Venezuela competition (indicates year of international victory):
There are Miss Venezuela schools and "beauty factories" in which girls as young as 5 years old are trained to be the next potential Miss Venezuela. At both the schools and factories the young girls and women are taught how to walk properly, given beauty tips, and given lessons in proper etiquette.
Once a candidate is shortlisted for the pageant, she begins an intensive training program which can last for six months. She receives coaching in speech, physical fitness, make-up, modelling, and all the other skills required for the competition. Plastic surgery and cosmetic dentistry are optional, and some delegates elect to use padding. As the Miss Venezuela broadcast lasts up to four hours long, with countless musical numbers and dances, rehearsals require weeks of preparation. Contestants also participate in official photo-shoots and also fittings by fashion designers.
The evening gowns worn by candidates are a major source of politicking by Venezuela's domestic fashion houses, with top designers such as Mayela Camacho, Ángel Sanchez, Durant & Diego, Jose María Almeida, and Gionni Straccia selecting candidates that they will dress for the final night, while other, newer designers compete to present designs for the pageant.[citation needed] As a general rule the evening gowns are always custom-designed for each of the candidates on the final night, and always by a Venezuelan designer. By tradition, Nidal Nouaihed dresses the representatives of his home state of Zulia (Miss Costa Oriental, Miss Peninsula Goajira, Miss Zulia); Ángel Sanchez designs the gown for Miss Trujillo; Jose María Almeida designs the dress for Miss Mérida and the national costume for Miss Venezuela to Miss Universe. In 1999, 26 different designers took part in the evening gown competition, one candidate for each one. Also, in 2006, for the first time ever, the designers appeared on stage with the delegates, showing their fabulous creations. For the first time, in Miss Venezuela 2008, a "best evening gown" prize was given to a designer; the winner was Gionni Straccia for Miss Monagas' dress. He also made the gown for Dayana Mendoza in the Miss Universe finals.
The winners chosen to represent Venezuela in the major pageants undergo continuous preparation before they compete internationally. These efforts are funded by corporate sponsors like Pepsi-Cola, Palmolive, Colgate, Ebel and Lux who were attracted to the pageant by its high ratings.
As of 2024, Venezuela has a total of 24 wins at Big Four international beauty pageants, the most by any country in the world, and consisting of seven Miss Universe titles, six Miss World titles, nine Miss International titles, and two Miss Earth titles.[9]
Miss Venezuela reached the semifinals of Miss Universe each year from 1983 to 2003, and reached the question-and-answer round consistently from 1991 to 2003 (winning in 1986 and 1996), constituting the longest streak of Miss Universe finalists by any country. This streak was ended in 2004, when Ana Karina Áñez was not included in the semifinals at Miss Universe 2004. Venezuela has also held Miss Universe and Miss World titles simultaneously in 1981 (Irene Saez and Pilin Leon), and Miss Universe and Miss Earth titles simultaneously in 2013 (Gabriela Isler and Alyz Henrich). Henrich's Miss Earth victory made Venezuela the only country in the world to have won each of the Big Four pageants multiple times.[10] Venezuela also holds the distinction of being the first, and so far only, country to win back-to-back Miss Universe titles when Dayana Mendoza, outgoing Miss Universe 2008, crowned Stefania Fernandez as Miss Universe 2009.[11]
Competing in the pageant can get a contestant noticed and launched on a successful television or print career. At least a dozen well-sought models come out of the pageant. Virtually all of Venezuela's female top models and television personalities are alumni of the pageant, including Maite Delgado (who competed in 1986 against future Miss Universe Bárbara Palacios and became the primary annual emcee of Miss Venezuela's live shows in recent decades), and Dominika van Santen (Top Model of the World 2005).[12][13] In fact, only Gaby Espino and several other entertainment figures stand out as never having competed in the pageant. Many of today's top young models, such as Onelises Brochero and Wendy Medina, have repeatedly been rejected by Miss Venezuela; on the other hand, Goizeder Azua and Desiree Pallotta, who have variously been considered the top domestic supermodels in the country, joined the pageant after establishing their careers.
Some delegates in the pageant went on to win other national pageants. Natascha Börger became the first Venezuelan to switch countries, when she won the Miss Germany title in 2002 after placing 14th at Miss Venezuela 2000. She went on to place in the Top 10 at Miss Universe 2002 in Puerto Rico while Cynthia Lander, Miss Venezuela 2001, placed fifth in the same competition. Miss Trujillo 2005 Angelika Hernandez Dorendorf also placed fourth at Miss Germany 2007 and cancelled her participation at the Miss Intercontinental of that same year in order to continue her master's degree. In 2006, Francys Sudnicka, who placed in the Top 10 representing Trujillo in Miss Venezuela 2003, won the Miss Poland Universe title. She represented Poland at Miss Universe 2006, and later represented Poland in Miss Earth 2006, taking a place in the Top 8. The following Venezuelans who have won the Miss Italia nel Mondo (Miss World Italy) pageant placed in the final five of Miss Venezuela: Barbara Clara (Miss Amazonas 2004), Valentina Patruno (Miss Miranda 2003) and Silvana Santaella (Miss Península de Paraguaná 2003). Patruno, though born Venezuelan, represented the United States.
In recent years the pageant organization has begun to "import" expatriates who have been working as international models. Miami has produced Valentina Patruno (Miss World Venezuela 2003), Andrea Gómez (Miss International Venezuela 2004), Mónica Spear (Miss Venezuela 2004 and 4th runner-up at Miss Universe 2005), Ileana Jiménez (Miss Portuguesa 2005), and María Alessandra Villegas (Miss Península de Paraguaná 2008).
There has been considerable controversy in a number of major national pageants as to how to direct their contestants to Miss Universe, Miss World, and the other international contests. The reason for this issue is the dispute between the international pageants, who generally desire that the winner of a national contest be sent. Although many nations such as Italy and Germany have completely separate pageants for Miss Universe and Miss World, in the case of Miss Venezuela the national pageant organization must field candidates to almost all of the major world contests.
Between 2000 and 2002, the Miss Venezuela pageant was split into two contests: the Miss World Venezuela pageant, to elect the representative to Miss World, from which a reduced group of contestants would go on to compete in Miss Venezuela to go to the Miss Universe contest. In 2002, the organization merged the Miss World Venezuela contest with the Gala de Belleza, making the final "state cut" before the election of the Miss World representative. The two pageants were rejoined in 2003. Using the most prominent format used in Miss Venezuela's entire run, the winners of the Miss Venezuela title (who goes to Miss Universe) and Miss World Venezuela are equal in rank. Nevertheless, the representative to Miss Universe is still announced last, and she is still considered the holder of the one single Miss Venezuela title. Nowadays, the final five finalists are announced during the telecast, followed by the elimination of the second and first runners-up, then Miss Venezuela to Miss International, Miss Venezuela to Miss World, and Miss Venezuela to Miss Universe. Since 2010, yet another new system has been introduced, with the fifth-place finisher as the 1st. runner-up, fourth place being designated as a "representative" to Miss Earth, the third place as a "representative" to Miss International and two 'equal' crowned winners—Miss Venezuela World and Miss Venezuela Universe.
While this system is similar to that of Mexico and India, in Mexico the first runner-up is known as the "substitute" and in the order of succession automatically fills into any title above her that is emptied. For example, if "Nuestra Belleza Mexico Mundo" (Miss Mexico to Miss World) is unable to fulfill her duties, the first runner-up assumes her title. While the Miss Universe representative is similarly considered the "greater of the two equals", if her position is vacated, the first runner-up ascends to her crown, instead of Miss Mexico-World becoming Miss Mexico-Universe and the first runner-up going to Miss World. In India, however, the succession does follow the other option: the top three titles go Earth->Universe->World in rising order of importance (although they are also emphasized as "equals").
In Venezuela, neither policy of succession is explicitly laid down. Osmel Sousa made the final decisions as to who is appointed when a vacancy arises; i.e. in 2003, there were significant rumors that Mariangel Ruiz might be replaced by Amara Barroeta, the first runner-up, to Miss Universe (and not Goizeder Azua, who was Miss World Venezuela). In fact, in 2003, the Miss International Pageant was concurrent with Miss Venezuela, meaning that it would be impossible to send a "fresh" contestant, and Osmel actually opted not to send Amara, who should have gone (as the first runner-up then was almost always automatically titled Miss Venezuela International) and instead replaced her with Goizeder Azua, who won Miss International 2003. Due to scheduling conflicts between Miss International and Miss Venezuela, a similar situation occurred in 2002 when Cynthia Lander, Miss Venezuela (Universe), gave up her crown to the next Miss Venezuela and immediately boarded a flight for Japan to participate in Miss International. The reasoning was that her first runner-up had already participated the year before, and it would have been ridiculous to crown a Miss Venezuela (International) and immediately send her on a plane to her contest with no specific preparation whatsoever. Incidentally in 2006 the Miss World pageant shifted its pageant date from its usual November–December timeframe to September when the organization announced Poland as the competition venue. Due to the change in dates; it resulted to a timing conflict with the Miss Venezuela pageant. The Miss Venezuela organization decided to hold a snap pageant called "Miss Venezuela Mundo" to elect a representative for Miss World 2006. The said competition was composed of former Miss Venezuela contestants from previous editions. At the end of the night Federica Guzman who represented the state of Miranda in 2001 was the winner. Thus, all four winners, Miss Earth Venezuela, Miss Venezuela International, Miss Venezuela World and Miss Venezuela Universe now compete in the year after their coronation.
Ironically, the only time in the "modern" pageant that the famous "if the winner should not fulfill her duties, the first runner-up will take over" statement was made for Miss Venezuela was in 1999. The decision was made to send whoever won to Miss World first, and then to Miss Universe if she did not win. This policy was adopted after the consecutive eliminations of Christina Dieckmann and Veronica Schneider in 1997 and 1998, both of whom were considered amongst the strongest Miss World Venezuelas in history and whose eliminations were seen by the organization as a signal that it needed to send its winner to Miss World. Therefore, in 1999, there were no Miss World Venezuela or Miss Venezuela International titles, only an official Miss Venezuela, who was Martina Thorogood. Her first runner-up, Norkys Batista, was told that she would become Miss Venezuela to Miss Universe only if Martina won the Miss World crown outright. Martina came in second at Miss World and she was expected continue on to Miss Universe 2000 the next year. However, due to a number of major controversies, she was barred from Miss Universe 2000 on the grounds that as the first runner-up to Miss World, Osmel also declared that Miss Universe demanded a winner from Venezuela, thereby barring Norkys Batista from succeeding to the title. The only option for Norkys to go was for Martina to renounce the Miss Venezuela title, which neither she or the organization was willing to do. Therefore, a new emergency (and temporary) pageant was held, called Miss Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, which was conducted among ten former contestants (some semi-finalists and other non-finalists) from the previous five years. The winner, Claudia Moreno, had placed as seventh in the semi-finals behind Martina and Norkys in Miss Venezuela 1999, and she ended up performing excellently and becoming first runner-up to Miss Universe 2000. In years to come, 2002's first runner-up Amara Barroeta would join Norkys Batista as one of several runners-ups to be "denied" the chance to compete at a "big three" pageant.
In the US and many other countries, an occasion when the order of succession comes into play is when the reigning titleholder wins her international contest, e.g. in 1997 when Brook Mahealani Lee became Miss Universe and her first runner-up Brandi Sherwood became Miss USA. However, Venezuela does not have this official provision, even when the two "equal" winners both win Miss Universe and Miss World. In 1981, Miriam Quintana was considered somewhat unofficially as the serving Miss Venezuela, because both Irene Saez and Pilin Leon had won their respective pageants. However, in 1995–1996, when Alicia Machado took the Miss Universe title and Jacqueline Aguilera the Miss World crown, no new "Miss Venezuela" was appointed to hold the crown while they reigned internationally, though some newspapers said that Carla Steinkopf, Miss International Venezuela 1995, would give the crown to the 1996 winner. In general, all the times Venezuela has won the Miss Universe Pageant, it's Miss Universe herself who returns to crown the new Miss Venezuela, not Miss World Venezuela from the previous year or another finalist. Since 2013, the Miss World delegate is no longer crowned at the Miss Venezuela final but is crowned in a separate Miss Venezuela World pageant, and competes in the same year of her coronation. In 2014, Maira Alexandra Rodriguez was crowned as Miss Earth Venezuela to compete in the 2015 edition, but due to the destitution of her predecessor, Stephanie de Zorzi, she was sent to Miss Earth 2014, in which she ended as Miss Water (2nd runner-up).
From 2015 onwards, Miss Earth Venezuela will compete in the same year of her coronation. In 2017, the announcing was made as it was years before: Top 5 consisting of 2nd and 1st runners-up, then Miss Venezuela International, Miss World Venezuela and Miss Venezuela Universe, all three competing in 2018. This avoids the rumors of major pageants not allowing contestants to participate if they weren't in their current reign year. However, in 2018, Osmel's resignation coincided with the same year Miss Venezuela sent their winner, Isabella Rodríguez, to Miss World. As a result, since 2019, the organization switched to a separate Miss World Venezuela national pageant while retaining the Miss Universe and Miss International national titles under the main Miss Venezuela pageant for all succeeding candidates.
Esther Pineda, a Venezuelan women's studies expert, stated that the popularity of Miss Venezuela and other pageants in Venezuela reveals how the country is "deeply sexist". Despite controversies facing Miss Venezuela, the Me Too movement has not carried any significance in Venezuela. According to Pineda, in Venezuela "[p]hysical beauty is seen as a value. ... And it's given more importance than any other attribute".[3]
Miss Venezuela contestants are often subject to prostitution and sexual exploitation. Young contestants are passed to powerful individuals in Venezuelan society for sexual favors. In a poverty-filled country, vulnerable women turn to wealthy individuals for funds. With participation often costing tens of thousands of United States dollars, these participants perform sexual favors for their wardrobe, cosmetic surgery, photo shoots and for sponsorships in order to "create the illusion of 'perfect' beauty" that is held in esteem in Venezuelan culture. Some contestants allegedly involved in such acts include Miss Venezuela 1989 participant Patricia Velásquez and Miss Venezuela 2006 runner-up Claudia Suárez.[16][17][18][19][20][21]
The winner of Miss Venezuela represents her country at Miss Universe. On occasion, when the winner does not qualify (due to age) for either contest, a runner-up is sent.
The 2nd Runner-Up of Miss Venezuela traditionally represented her country at Miss International. In recent years Miss Venezuela selects a runner-up or second position at Miss Venezuela pageant as Miss Venezuela Internacional winner. The winner goes to Miss International.
Since its establishment in 2001 Miss Earth Venezuela is chosen by another organization, called Sambil Model Organization. From 2010 to 2015 Miss Earth Venezuela was chosen by the beauty czar Osmel Sousa. In 2010, Miss Venezuela Organization acquired the franchise for Miss Earth Venezuela and the organization declared that Miss Earth, along with Miss Universe and Miss World contests, is one of the three largest beauty pageants in the world in terms of the number of participating countries.[26] The organization conducted a selection process which attended by several former beauty queens and runners up to qualify for participation. Mariángela Bonanni who competed in the Miss Venezuela 2009 (placed as first runner up) representing the state of Táchira, was chosen by the organization to participate in Miss Earth 2010. Since 2016, Venezuela representatives at the Miss Earth are chosen in a separate pageant Miss Earth Venezuela. Although Miss Venezuela Organization is not related to Sambil Model Organization, here are Venezuela's Miss Earth representatives sent by the Sambil Model Organization, Miss Venezuela Organization and Miss Earth Venezuela Organization .
This is a list of Venezuela's representatives and their placements at the Big Seven international beauty pageants.[27] Venezuela, widely considered a beauty pageant powerhouse with an extensive and successful history in beauty pageants, is also referred as the most powerful country in beauty pageants,[28][29] winning multiple times, with a total of 183 placements and 30 victories, counting:
With Andrea Rubio's win on October 26, 2023 as Miss International 2023 there have been 30 winners from Venezuela in the Big Seven international beauty pageants by a total of 303 titleholders from around the world.
The following table details the placing of the Venezuela's representatives in the Big Seven pageants.
↑ No delegate sent (established in 1971 in Oranjestad, Aruba, secondly in 1985 in Abuja, Nigeria and then it was transferred in 1991 in Berlin, Germany. Venezuela sent their first delegate in 1973.)
↑ No delegate sent (established in 1951 in England, United Kingdom. Venezuela sent their first delegate in 1955.)
1953
Gisela Bolaños
1952
Sofía Silva Inserri
1951
↑ No pageant held (established in 1952 in California, United States and then it was transfeed in 1960 in Florida, United States.)
× Did not compete ↑ No pageant held
Notes
Margarita Island competed in Miss Intercontinental twice. Inés Mujica Díaz placed as Top 12 in 2002 and Emily Fernández ended as 2nd Runner-Up in 2007.
The Miss Venezuela Organization is the organization that currently owns and runs the Miss Venezuela, Miss World Venezuela, Miss International Venezuela and Mister Venezuela beauty pageant competitions.
Since 1985, the Venezuelan representative chosen for Miss Universe and Miss World are titled individually, as well, since 1987 for Miss International. For this reason, since those editions, any finalist or other contestant who is selected to represent the country in said competitions without having initially the mentioned titles achieved in a competition run by the Miss Venezuela Organization is taken into account as a designation.
The following is a list of all Miss Venezuela Organization titleholders from the founding of each pageant.
Until 1984, all the candidates who qualified below the 'Miss Venezuela' position were announced as 'runners-up' and officially are recognized as such. However, in a few editions, the same finalists were given saches (with the name or prefixing the preposition 'to') of the international contest they had to attend or in other cases it was simply announced by the presenter. In such cases we have:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 After a request made by the Miss World Organization, the Miss Venezuela Organization founded a new pageant: Miss Venezuela Mundo (Miss World Venezuela). Pageant that in its first two editions was won by Vanessa Cárdenas in 2000 and Andreína Prieto in 2001, being celebrated with contestants aspiring to be candidadtes for the Miss Venezuela contest of each year. In 2002, the competition was held with the official candidates of Miss Venezuela 2002, during the Gala de la Belleza 2002 (preliminary event to Miss Venezuela), Goizeder Azúa, Miss Carabobo, won the title, for which said band was discarded in the final of Miss Venezuela 2002. In 2006, the contest returned with the participation of 6 candidates from previous editions, Federica Guzmán, Miss Miranda in Miss Venezuela 2001 won the title and represented the country in Miss World 2006. After a hiatus of seven years, the event returned for the third time, being won by Karen Soto in 2013 (Miss Costa Oriental in Miss Venezuela 2010), Debora Menicucci in 2014 (Miss Amazonas in Miss Venezuela 2013) and Anyela Galante in 2015. For a total of seven editions by Miss Venezuela Mundo that have been held independently of Miss Venezuela.
↑ Mister Venezuela 2006 was held with the participation of 6 contestants from previous editions. Vito Gasparrini, Mister Mérida and Top 10 in Mister Venezuela 2003 obtained the title.
↑ José Ignacio Rodríguez, Mister Venezuela 2005 relinquised his title on September 22, 2006, one day before the celebration of Mister Venezuela 2006, refusing to attend the event in protest due to alleged mistreatment received by the Miss Venezuela Organization and for his inability to participate in Mister World 2007.
1 2 3 After Martina Thorogood's participation in Miss World 1999, finishing as 1st Runner-Up, the Miss Universe Organization prohibited Thorogood from attending the contest, requesting the sending of a titleholder as Miss Venezuela. Therefore, on February 26, 2000, the Miss República Bolivariana de Venezuela 2000 was celebrated, a special edition that included the participation of 10 candidates from previous editions. The contest was won by Claudia Moreno, who was Top 10 in Miss Venezuela 1999. Moreno participated in Miss Universe 2000 ending as 1st Runner-Up for the fifth time in the history of the country. This whole situation was permanently protested by Norkys Batista, 1st Runner-Up of Miss Venezuela 1999, first claiming her right to participate in Miss World 1999 and then to Miss Universe 2000.
1 2 Originally, Bárbara Pérez, the third place-finisher in Miss Venezuela 1998 titled as Miss International Venezuela 1998 would attend Miss International 1999. However, due to the delay of the competition from September to December 1999, Pérez declined her participation due to student commitments. Her place was replaced by Andreína Llamozas, 2nd Runner-Up in Miss Venezuela 1999.
↑ From 1987 to 1990, Miss Venezuela was held in February. In 1991, it was decided to hold the contest again in May. Due to this, Miss Venezuela 1991 was held after Miss Universe 1991, which is why Jackeline Rodríguez (Chica 2001 1987, and future candidate for the Miss Venezuela 1991 contest as Miss Miranda) was appointed to represent the country in said edition.
1 2 Contrary to the traditional custom of sending the third place-finisher to Miss International. In 1990, Chiquinquirá Delgado, the 3rd place-finisher in Miss Venezuela 1990 titled as Miss Flower Queen Venezuela 1990 was sent to Flower Queen International, a special contest to be held every 50-years in Japan, being organized by the same owners of Miss International contest. This is how, Vanessa Holler, the 4th place-finisher titled as Miss International Venezuela 1990 was sent to Miss International 1990.
1 2 After María Fernanda Ramírez's disqualification as 2nd Runner-Up in Miss Venezuela 1979, Nina Kors, the original 3rd Runner-Up assumed as 2nd Runner-Up attending Miss Young International 1979, contrary to the traditional custom of sending the third place-finisher to Miss International. Likewise, Nilza Moronta, the original 4th Runner-Up assumed as 3rd Runner-Up attending Miss International 1979.
1 2 After Vilma Góliz's disqualification as 1st Runner-Up in Miss Venezuela 1977, Jacqueline van den Branden, the original 2nd Runner-Up assumed as 1st Runner-Up attending Miss World 1977. Likewise, Betty Paredes, the original 3rd Runner-Up assumed as 2nd Runner-Up attending Miss International 1977.
1 2 3 Judith Castillo, 1st Runner-Up in Miss Venezuela 1976 assumed the Miss Venezuela title after Peraza's resignation. Castillo participated in Miss Universe 1976 ended up as 1st Runner-Up for the second time in the history of the country. On the other hand, María Genoveva Rivero, the original 2nd Runner-Up assumed as 1st Runner-Up attending Miss World 1976. Likewise, Betzabeth Ayala, the original 3rd Runner-Up assumed as 2nd Runner-Up attending Miss International 1976.
1 2 Ana Cecilia Ramírez, 2nd Runner-Up in Miss Venezuela 1973, could not participate in Miss International since she was underage, so she ended up going to Miss Young International 1973. On the other hand, Hilda Carrero, 3rd Runner-Up, had to attend Mis Young International but ended up replacing Ramírez in Miss International 1973 placing in the Top 15.
1 2 3 4 Contrary to the traditional custom of sending the second place-finisher of Miss Venezuela to Miss World and the third place-finisher to Miss International. In 1961, Bexi Romero, the 2nd Runner-Up was sent to Miss World 1961, while Gloria Lilué, the 1st Runner-Up was sent to Miss International 1961. In 1963, Milagros Galíndez, the 2nd Runner-Up was sent to Miss World 1963, while Norah Luisa Duarte, the 1st Runner-Up was sent to Miss International 1963
1 2 3 Olga Antonetti, Miss Venezuela 1962 was sent to Miss International 1962 placing in the Top 15, this was supposedly due to her impossibility to participate in Miss Universe because of her minority, although in reality Antonetti was already 18 years old at the time of her election as Miss Venezuela. As Antonetti's replacement, Virginia Bailey, the 2nd Runner-Up was sent to Miss Universe 1962. Paradoxically, Bailey was 17 years old at the time of participating in Miss Universe. The real reason for this exchange resided in the good commercial relations maintained by Reinaldo Espinoza Hernández and the recent owners of Miss Venezuela, the Acosta-Rubio family (who had bought the contest in 1962) with the owners of Miss International, who were the original owners of the Miss Universe pageant (1952–1959) while held in Long Beach, California.
↑ Miriam Estévez, 1st Runner-Up in Miss Venezuela 1960 did not attend Miss World 1960 due to cinematographic commitments in the filmning of a feature film in the city of London. For this reason, 3rd Runner-Up, Aura Rodríguez, was appointed as a representative to Miss World. However, her brother suffered a car accident the day before leaving for London, so she definitively gave up attending the international contest.
1 2 Maira Alexandra Rodriguez, Miss Earth Venezuela 2014, participated in Miss Earth 2014 ending as 2nd Runner-Up position, Miss Water 2014, after original delegate for that year, Stephanie de Zorzi, Miss Earth Venezuela 2013, withdrew due to weight issues and being dethroned by the Miss Venezuela Organization. Rodriguez was originally the Venezuelan delegate to Miss Earth 2015. De Zorzi went on to compete in Miss Earth 2016, designated by the Miss Earth Venezuela Organization as its first representative, obtaining the 2nd Runner-Up position as Miss Water 2016.
1 2 3 4 5 6 The contestant was not a finalist, is mentioned only for chronological purposes.
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Miss Lebanon is the national beauty pageant of Lebanon. The winner is a representative of the Ministry of Tourism and is sent to represent Lebanon at Miss Universe and Miss World.
Miss Nepal is a national beauty pageant in Nepal. The winners are sent to Miss World, Miss Earth, Miss International.
Miss Perú is the national beauty pageant of Peru. The contest gathers participants from all over the nation, including Peruvian women representing their community overseas. Having been broadcast by all the major television networks in the country during its history, the pageant is currently broadcast by América Televisión. It is preceded by two or three months of preliminary events, with the awarding of corporate prizes by sponsors.
Francys Sudnicka is a Polish-Venezuelan model and beauty pageant titleholder.
Osmel Ricardo Sousa Mansilla is a Cuban-Venezuelan beauty pageant entrepreneur, and the former president of the Miss Venezuela Organization.
The Miss Spain is a national beauty pageant in Spain that selects Spanish representatives to compete in three of the big four major international beauty pageants: the Miss Universe, Miss World, and Miss International competitions.
The Miss Curaçao is a national beauty pageant in Curaçao. This pageant is unrelated to the Señorita Curaçao or Miss International Curaçao pageant.
Mister Venezuela is an annual male pageant held in Venezuela. The winner and finalists from the contest go on to represent Venezuela in many international pageants. The Mister Venezuela pageant was started under the guardianship of Osmel Sousa and María Kallay with the intent of creating a male contest with the same discipline, quality and success as its female counterpart, Miss Venezuela.
The Señorita Panamá is a national beauty pageant in Panama. As of the 2024 edition, Señorita Panamá winners represent Panamá in Miss Universe. The Miss Panama brand started in 1952, when the Panamanian Institute of Tourism received an invitation from Miss Universe to send a representative. In 1975, the Señorita Panamá name was used for the first time, reverting to Miss Panama in 1976. In 1982, Señorita Panamá was created by RPC Channel 4 as an alternative to send its winners to the Miss World contest in London. These pageants, along with smaller pageants such as Miss International Panamá and Miss World Panamá celebrated to select delegates for international representations.
Miss Korea is a national beauty pageant in South Korea. The reigning Miss Korea is Kim Chae-won who was crowned on September 24, 2024.
The Miss Uruguay is a national beauty pageant in Uruguay that selects Uruguay representatives to compete in three of the big four major international beauty pageants: the Miss World, Miss Universe and Miss Earth competitions.
Miss Ecuador is a national beauty pageant in Ecuador. The current Miss Ecuador is Eunice Rivadeneira from Guayas. She won the title on 17 August 2024, and will represent Ecuador at Miss International 2025.
Stephanie Ysabel de Zorzi Landaeta is a Venezuelan model and beauty pageant titleholder. She represented Aragua state at Miss Venezuela 2013 pageant where she won the crown of Miss Venezuela Tierra 2013. Stephanie competed in the Miss Earth pageant 2 years after she was supposed to compete. She finished as Miss Water 2016, making history as Venezuela becomes the most successful Miss Earth – Water titleholder with five crowns after de Zorzi's win.
Miss Fiji is a national Beauty pageant in Fiji.
Mister Denmark is the oldest, largest and most prestigious national male beauty pageant in Denmark that selects the representative to the Mister World pageant.
Miss Earth Venezuela is an annual beauty pageant in Venezuela. The winner of Miss Earth Venezuela obtains the right to represent the country in the Miss Earth pageant, an annual international major beauty pageant that advocates for environmental awareness, conservation, and social responsibility.
Miss Venezuela 2018 was the 65th edition of the Miss Venezuela held on December 13, 2018 at the Estudio 5 de Venevisión in Caracas, Venezuela. At the end of the event, Miss World Venezuela 2017, Veruska Ljubisavljević, crowned Isabella Rodríguez of Portuguesa as the winner. She represented Venezuela at Miss World 2019 and made into top 40.
Miss International 2019 was the 59th Miss International pageant, held on November 12, 2019, at Tokyo Dome City Hall in the Bunkyo district of Tokyo, Japan. Mariem Velazco of Venezuela crowned her successor, Sireethorn Leearamwat of Thailand, at the end of the event.
Miss Queen Korea is a national beauty pageant responsible for selecting South Korea's representative to the Miss Universe and Miss World pageant.
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