Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua is Miss Universe 2023

Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua is the new Miss Universe queen! 

The 23-year-old beauty queen was crowned on Sunday, Nov. 19  (PHT) in El Salvador, besting 83 other candidates from all over the world, marking Nicaragua’s first win in decades.  

Now leading the “Force for Good” reign, she will now take over the reign from Fil-Am R’Bonney Gabriel of the USA who was crowned the winner in 2022.

In the last Q&A portion for the three finalists, she was asked if ever she could live one year in another woman’s shoes, who it would be, and why. Sheynnis chose British writer and advocate Mary Wollstonecraft. 

She said: “I would choose Mary Wollstonecraft because she opened the gap in paving opportunity to many women and what I would do, I would want that gap, that income gap, would open up so that women could work in any area that they choose to work in because there are no limitations for women. That was 1750, now in 2023, we’re making history.” 

She was followed by Anntonia Porsild of Thailand and Moraya Wilson of Australia as first runner-up and second runner-up, respectively. 

During the finals night, the pageant also recognized other beauty queens for special awards. Three “Voice of Change” winners are Angola, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines’ Michelle Dee for her advocacy for autism awareness. Michelle also bagged the “Spirit of Carnival” award.  

Mexico will serve as the next host country in the 73rd edition of Miss Universe.