Victoria Kjaer of Denmark becomes Miss Universe: She is a 21-year-old entrepreneur and animal rights advocate

Victoria Kjaer Theilvig has made history as Denmark’s first-ever Miss Universe, earning the prestigious title at the pageant’s 73rd edition.

The 21-year-old entrepreneur, animal rights advocate, and dancer triumphed over 120 contestants during the grand finale on Saturday night. She received the tiara from the reigning Miss Universe, Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua, amid cheers and applause from her fellow contestants.

Chidimma Adetshina of Nigeria, a law student, was named first runner-up, while Maria Fernanda Beltran of Mexico, Suchata Chuangsri of Thailand, and Ileana Marquez of Venezuela rounded out the top five.

Marquez, 28, had previously made history as the first mother to win the Miss Venezuela title, a significant milestone in the pageant’s evolving inclusivity.

This year’s event, hosted in Mexico for the fifth time, sparked some criticism for perpetuating traditional standards of femininity. Despite this, the finale dazzled with a performance by singer Robin Thicke and was co-hosted by Saved by the Bell star Mario Lopez and former Miss Universe Olivia Culpo.