Nicaraguan Shaynice Palacios was crowned Miss Universe

Nicaraguan Shaynice Palacios was named the most beautiful woman in the world at the 72nd Miss Universe pageant in El Salvador, in a pageant that included mothers and two transgender women for the first time.

It was Nicaragua’s first win in the tournament. Thailand finished second and Australia’s Moraya Wilson third.

Shaynice Palacios, 23, received the crown from Miss Universe 2022, American R’Bonnie Gabriel.

The world’s most beautiful woman stood out against 83 other participants dressed in swimsuits, evening dresses and traditional attire, believing that humility and gratitude are her key qualities.

Answering the jury’s last question, the candidate from Nicaragua underlined the importance of equal pay for women so that they “can work in any field”.

“Women have no limits,” she said.

Maria Camila Avella, 28, from Colombia, and Michelle Cohn, from Guatemala, are the first two mothers to compete in the competition. The top seed ended up being one of five finalists in the competition, which organizers said they wanted to be more open about.

Portugal’s Marina Machet, a transgender woman, and Nepal’s Jane Garrett, the first curvy candidate to compete at Miss Universe, are among the top 20.

Marina Machete

AFP

The election was held in the west of the capital in the presence of the President of El Salvador, Nayeb Bugele.

Organizers have announced that the next edition will be held in Mexico.