Miss Nicaragua crowned Miss Universe for first time, as Miss Pakistan, Miss Portugal also make history in El Salvador

Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios dealt with mental-health struggles during her Miss Universe journey and had intense anxiety attacks while in university

Miss Pakistan become the first to wear a burkini in the swimsuit competition, and Miss Portugal was the first transgender contestant to place in the top 20

Reading Time:1 minute

Why you can trust SCMP

Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios reacts after being crowned Miss Universe during the 72nd Miss Universe pageant in San Salvador, El Salvador November 18, 2023. REUTERS/Jose Cabezas TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Business Insider

Published: 2:14pm, 19 Nov 2023Updated: 2:33pm, 19 Nov 2023

Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios has been crowned the new Miss Universe.

Palacios, 23, was named the winner of the 72nd Miss Universe competition on Saturday night in San Salvador, El Salvador. She was crowned by R’Bonney Gabriel, the ninth American woman to win Miss Universe.

In second place was Miss Thailand Anntonia Porsild, followed by Miss Australia Moraya Wilson.

This is the first time in history Nicaragua has won the Miss Universe competition.

Miss Thailand Anntonia Porsild, from left, Miss Australia Moraya Wilson and Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios, react after being named the final three contestants during the 72nd Miss Universe pageant. Photo: AP

During the final round, the top three contestants were all asked the question: “If you could live one year in another woman’s shoes, who would you choose and why?”

Palacios chose the women’s rights advocate Mary Wollstonecraft.