Maria Victoria Kjær Theilvig (Danish pronunciation: [vekˈtɔʁiːɑ ˈkʰeˀɐ̯ ˈtsʰɑjlˌvi]; born 13 November 2003) is a Danish model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Universe 2024. Kjær Theilvig is the first Danish woman to win Miss Universe.
Victoria Kjær Theilvig | |
|---|---|
 Kjær Theilvig as Miss Grand Denmark 2022 | |
| Born | Maria Victoria Kjær Theilvig 13 November 2003 Herlev, Denmark |
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) |
| Beauty pageant titleholder | |
| Title | |
| Hair color | Blonde |
| Eye color | Blue |
| Major competition(s) |
|
Kjær Theilvig had previously placed as the second runner-up at Miss Denmark 2021. She also represented Denmark at Miss Grand International 2022, placing within the top twenty.
Early life
editKjær Theilvig was born on 13 November 2003 in Herlev, a suburb of Copenhagen, where she was raised.[1] She grew up in a dysfunctional family which struggled with drug addiction, and Kjær Theilvig herself has been the victim of rape and abuse.[2] Kjær Theilvig attended Lyngby Handelsgymnasium, where she studied business and marketing.[3][1] Kjær Theilvig afterwards became a professional dancer, and advocated for mental health awareness, animal rights, and entrepreneurship in the beauty industry.[3][1]
Pageantry
editMiss Denmark
editKjær Theilvig began competing in pageantry after becoming a contestant for Miss Denmark 2021, ultimately placing as the second runner-up.[1] The following year, she was appointed Miss Grand Denmark and represented Denmark at Miss Grand International 2022 in Indonesia, placing in the top twenty.[4][1][5]
In September 2024, Emma Heyst, who had been crowned Miss Denmark 2024, declined to compete at Miss Universe 2024 due to a lack of preparation.[1] Kjær Theilvig was subsequently chosen and designated by the Miss Denmark Organization to represent Denmark in Heyst's place at Miss Universe 2024.[6]
Miss Universe
editAs Miss Universe Denmark, Kjær Theilvig competed in and won Miss Universe 2024, held on 16 November in Mexico City. Kjær Theilvig became the first Danish woman to be crowned Miss Universe and the first blonde winner since Jennifer Hawkins of Australia at Miss Universe 2004.[7][8][9] She is, in addition, the second Danish woman to win any of the Big Four international beauty pageants, following Catharina Svensson at Miss Earth 2001.[10][1]
During the preliminary competetion, Kjær presented a national costume as a Viking warrior goddess with red and golden ornamentation. At the top 5 question and answer round, Kjær Theilvig was asked, "How would you live your life differently if you knew nobody would judge you?" She answered:
I would never change how I live my life. We learn from our mistakes. We learn every day. We learn something new and we got to take that and bring it to the future. That’s why I live each day by each day, and I just got to stay positive. So, no, I would not change anything.
During the final question and answer round, Kjær Theilvig was asked, "Miss Universe has inspired generations of women. What do you want to say to the ones watching you now?" She answered:
“My message to all the world that is watching out there is no matter where you come from, no matter your past, you can always choose to turn it into your strengths. It will never define who you are. Just got to keep fighting. I stand here today because I want to change. I want to make history. And that’s what I’m doing tonight. So never give up, always believe in yourself and your dreams, and that is exactly what you are going to do.”
At the end of the event, Kjær Theilvig was crowned Miss Universe 2024 by outgoing titleholder Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua.[11][12][13] Accordingly, she is the first winner to wear the Light of Infinity golden pearl crown unveiled by the Miss Universe Organization that same year.
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g Díaz, Francisco Javier (17 November 2024). "¿Quién es la nueva Miss Universe 2024? Lo que debes saber sobre la ganadora". El Nuevo Día (in Spanish).
- ^ Ritzau (16 November 2024). "Victoria fra Søborg bliver kaldt en af Miss Universe-konkurrencens favoritter". TV 2 Kosmopol.
- ^ a b Yap, Jade Veronique (17 November 2024). "Who is Miss Universe 2024 Victoria Kjaer Theilvig?". GMA Network.
- ^ "Miss Grand Denmark 2022 is Victoria Kjær Theilvig & More Latest News Here". Abcnews.upjobsnews.com. 18 September 2022. Archived from the original on 19 September 2022. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
- ^ "Philippines finishes in top 20, Brazil wins Miss Grand International 2022". Philstar Global. 26 October 2022. Archived from the original on 1 November 2024.
- ^ "Miss Universe 2024: Meet the contestants". Periodismo.com. 16 June 2024. Archived from the original on 8 July 2024. Retrieved 9 September 2024 – via MSN.
- ^ Konstantinides, Anneta (17 November 2024). "20 Miss Universe contestants who made history during the 2024 pageant". Business Insider. Yahoo!.
- ^ "Victoria Kjær Theilvig of Denmark is crowned the 73rd Miss Universe". Associated Press. 17 November 2024. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ Ginestra, Mauricio (16 November 2024). "Miss Universe 2024: Who Won? Who Were the Finalists? And Everything That Happened Step by Step". Latin Times.
- ^ Bolledo, Jairo (17 November 2024). "Victoria Kjær Theilvig wins Miss Universe 2024, the first crown for Denmark". RAPPLER. Archived from the original on 17 November 2024. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ "Denmark's Victoria Kjaer Theilvig is Miss Universe 2024". PUSH.COM.PH. 17 November 2024. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
- ^ "What does Miss Universe 2024 winner get? Victoria Kjær Theilvig's prize money explained". Lifestyle Asia. 18 November 2024. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
- ^ "Denmark's 'Human Barbie' Victoria Kjaer Theilvig takes home country's first Miss Universe crown". Onmanorama. 18 November 2024. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
External links
edit
