The very first win of South Africa in the Miss Universe pageant dates back in 1978 by Margaret Gardiner and they were only able to bring it back home after 39 years with Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters crowned as Miss Universe 2017. Today, South Africa bags their third win as Zozibini Tunzi is Miss Universe 2019!
Your new Miss Universe!!!! 😍✨#MissUniverse2019 pic.twitter.com/vqcZXjY7Zg
— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) December 9, 2019
South Africa almost won back to back to back, if not for the Philippines’ Catriona Gray who won the Miss Universe title in 2018. The Philippines also won twice this decade with Pia Wurtzbach’s reign in 2015.
(This is Why Pia Wurtzbach Isn’t Attending the Miss Universe 2019 Pageant)
YES WE'RE CRYING. WE ARE CRYING. 😭 pic.twitter.com/miMkHE8ZW0
— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) December 9, 2019
(Here’s Catriona Gray’s Reflections On Her Last Day As Miss Universe)
South Africa’s representative last year was Tamaryn Green who placed first-runner up. This year, Tunzi took the Miss Universe crown back home!
Puerto Rico’s Madison Anderson was 1st runner-up while Mexico’s Sofia Aragon was 2nd runner-up.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B51fuo8Aemw/
Meanwhile, the Philippines’ representative Gazini Ganados made it to the Top 20 but failed to join the pageant’s Top 10. Aside from the Top 3 (South Africa, Puerto Rico, and Mexico), the Top 10 candidates were from the USA, Colombia, Peru, Iceland, France, Indonesia, and Thailand.
(‘With hard work comes success,’ says Miss Universe Philippines 2019 Gazini Ganados)
Mabuhay PHILIPPINES!!!! You've made it to the Top 20. #MissUniverse2019 LIVE on @FOXtv. Airing in Spanish on @Telemundo. pic.twitter.com/tqOhsfrtG8
— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) December 9, 2019
The Miss Universe 2019 pageant was held in Atlanta, Georgia, USA today (December 8).
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