Miss World

Miss World is the oldest existing international beauty pageant in the world.

It is recognized as one of the "Big Four" major pageants, alongside Miss Universe, Miss International, and Miss Earth. The organization manages an annual competition that has grown into a massive global event. It is currently franchised in more than 100 different countries. The Miss World Organization owns and manages the annual Miss World Finals. Since its launch in 1951, the organization has raised more than £1 billion for children's charities. This money helps disabled and underprivileged children around the world.

The pageant began in the United Kingdom in 1951. Eric Morley originally organized a bikini contest for the Festival of Britain. The press called the event "Miss World," and Morley later registered the name as a trademark. The first winner was Kerstin "Kiki" Hakansson from Sweden. Because she was crowned in a bikini, the event caused significant controversy. The Pope even condemned the swimwear at the time.

To resolve these issues, the pageant replaced bikinis with more modest swimwear. By 1976, swimsuits were entirely replaced by evening gowns for the crowning ceremony. Håkansson remains the only Miss World winner to be crowned in a bikini.

To select winners, the competition uses a specific system of stages. One method is through "fast-track" events. These are specialized competitions that include talent, beach beauty, and sports. Before 2016, winners of these events received many points but did not automatically move forward. Since 2016, the points system for fast-track events was abolished. Now, winners of these competitions automatically qualify for the quarter-finals or semi-finals. This is done alongside a Preliminary Interview to help decide the semi-finalists.

During the mid-20th century, the pageant's popularity exploded due to the rise of television. The BBC began broadcasting the event in 1959. During the 1960s and 1970s, Miss World was among the most watched programs on British television. At its peak in the late 1970s and early 1980s, more than 18 million people watched the pageant. To build excitement, Eric Morley announced winners in a specific order. He announced the third-place winner, then the second-place winner, and finally the winner. This method was designed to maintain tension and avoid an anticlimax.

However, the pageant's history is also marked by many social and political controversies. In 1970, protesters disrupted the London contest by throwing flour bombs, stink bombs, and ink-filled water pistols. That same year, South Africa was banned from the contest because it sent both a black and a white contestant. This ban remained in place until the end of apartheid. In the 1980s, the pageant repositioned itself with the slogan "Beauty With a Purpose." This shift added tests of intelligence and personality to the competition.

This change aimed to move beyond simple physical beauty.

In 2002, the pageant faced a major crisis regarding its planned location in Abuja, Nigeria. The choice was controversial because a woman named Amina Lawal was facing death by stoning under Sharia law. Some countries, including Denmark, Spain, and Switzerland, chose to boycott the contest. While some contestants joined the boycott, others used the event to bring global awareness to Lawal's plight. Eventually, the pageant was moved to London after religious riots broke out in Nigeria. The eventual winner of that year was Azra Akın of Turkey.

The 21st century brought new challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 pageant in Thailand was canceled to ensure the safety of the delegates. The 2021 event in Puerto Rico also faced major delays. Many contestants and staff members tested positive for the virus during the activities. Because of these health concerns, the organizers had to postpone the finale. The 70th Miss World pageant was finally held on 16 March 2022 at the Coca-Cola Music Hall.

Recently, Suchata Chuangsri of Thailand was crowned the winner in Hyderabad, India, on 31 May 2025.