The Miss World is one of the oldest beauty pageants amongst the Big 4 (four) international beauty pageants. Established in the year 1951, the idea of Miss World beauty pageant was conceptualized by late Eric Morley as the first edition of the Miss World beauty pageant was held in United Kingdom. Miss World is one of the most publicized beauty pageants alongside Miss Universe and Miss Earth pageants.
The Miss World originally started as the Festival Bikini Contest, but an embarrassed British media decided to call it with a more modest name, ‘Miss World’. The pageant was met with a lot of criticism in the beginning, so much so that the swim suit was replaced with more modest swim suits after the first contest. The first Miss World (originally Festival Bikini Contest) was Kerstin "Kiki" Håkansson from Stockholm, Sweden. She was the first and last winner to be crowned while wearing a bikini.
The Miss World was first aired in 1959 by BBC and gained popularity thereafter and has grown manifolds. In the year 1980, the pageant adopted the slogan ‘Beauty With a Purpose’ and added tests of intelligence and personality in order to avoid criticism of objectifying women. The Miss World has seen its share of controversies; in the year 1970, feminist protestors disrupted the pageant by throwing flour bombs on the ongoing live pageant. In 1976 the pageant included both a Caucasian and African representative for South Africa which lead to a huge furor and many participating countries decided to boycott the pageant.
Miss World pageant has grown manifolds since then; to enter Miss World, the contestant should be the winner of the national title in their respective home nation. Those chosen to represent their nation then compete in the Miss World Finals. Miss World is no longer just a beauty pageant, it has emerged as a platform for young women from across the globe to showcase their talent, intelligence and work towards a greater good. Miss World pageant provides these contestants to display their culture and raise awareness towards various humanitarian causes as every year the pageant raises millions of pounds for charitable work under the banner of ‘Beauty with a Purpose’ program.
The annual final is typically a month long event, with several preliminary galas, dinners, balls and activities, culminating in a globally telecast final show in which the field is narrowed to between 15–20 delegates. Since 2011, winners and finalists of various group and talent events are awarded bonus points to their preliminary scores. Delegates with the highest points (bonus of challenge events included) are qualified to the final round.
Venezuela and India have dominated the Miss World pageant with six titles so far, followed by United Kingdom and Jamaica with five and four wins respectively.
2020
There was no pageant held due to covid-19 pandemic.
2019
Toni-Ann Singh from Jamaica was crowned Miss World 2019 at Excel London, United Kingdom on 14th December 2019. She succeeded and was crowned by Miss World 2018 Vanessa Ponce of Mexico. Toni’s court included Ophély Mézino of France and Suman Rao of India who were adjudged first and second runners-up respectively.
Here are the Continental Queens of Beauty - Miss World Africa 2019 was Nyekachi Douglas of Nigeria, Miss World Americas 2019 was Elís Miele Coelho of Brazil, Miss World Asia 2019 – Suman Ratan Singh Rao of India, Miss World Caribbean 2019 was Tya Janè Ramey of Trinidad and Tobago, Miss World Europe 2019 was Ophély Mézino of France and Miss World Oceania 2019 was Tajiya Eikura Sahay of Cook Islands.
2018
Vanessa Ponce from Mexico was crowned Miss World 2018 at the Sanya City Arena, China on 8th December 2018 becoming the first woman from her country to win the coveted crown. Vanessa succeeded and was crowned by Miss World 2017 Manushi Chhilar. Nicolene Pichapa Limsnukan of Thailand was adjudged as the runner-up.
The Continental Queens of Beauty included – Miss World Africa 2018 was Quiin Abenakyo of Uganda, Miss World America 2018 was Solaris Barba of Panama, Miss World Asia 2018 was Nicolene Limsnukan of Thailand, Miss World Caribbean 2018 was Kadijah Robinson of Jamaica, Miss World Europe 2018 was Maria Vasilevich of Belarus and Miss World Oceania 2018 was Jessica Tyson of New Zealand.
2017
Manushi Chhillar from India was crowned Miss World 2017 at the Sanya City Arena, China on 18th November 2017. 118 contestants from all over the world competed for the international crown. Manushi succeeded and was crowned by Miss World 2016 Stephanie Del Valle from Puerto Rico. She is the sixth Indian woman to win Miss World after Priyanka Chopra won in 2000.
Andrea Meza from Mexico and Stephanie Hill from England were adjudged first and second runners-up respectively. The Continental Queens of Beauty included – Miss World Africa 2017 was Magline Jeruto of Kenya, Miss World Americas 2017 was Andrea Meza of Mexico, Miss World Asia 2017 was Achintya Holte Nilsen of Indonesia, Miss World Caribbean 2017 was Solange Sinclair of Jamaica, Miss World Europe 2017 was Stephanie Hill of England and Miss World Oceania 2017 was Annie Evans of New Zealand.
2016
Stephanie Del Valle from Puerto Rico was crowned Miss World 2016 at MGM National Harbor, United States on 18th December 2016. 117 contestants from all over the world competed for the crown. Mireia Lalaguna of Spain crowned her successor at the end of the event finale. It was the second time where Puerto Rico won Miss World, after Wilnelia Merced in 1975.
Yaritza Reyes of Dominican Republic and Natasha Mannuela Halim of Indonesia were adjudged first and second runners-up respectively. The Continental Queens of Beauty included – Miss World Africa 2016 was Evelyn Njambi of Kenya, Miss World Americas 2016 was Audra Mari of United States, Miss World Asia 2016 was Natasha Mannuela Halim of Indonesia, Miss World Caribbean 2016 was Yaritza Reyes of Dominican Republic, Miss World Europe 2016 was Lenty Frans of Belgium and Miss World Oceania 2016 was Madeline Cowe of Australia.
2015
Mireia Lalaguna from Spain was crowned the Miss World 2015 at Crown of Beauty Theatre, China on 19th December 2015. 114 contestants from all over the world competed for the crown. Rolene Strauss of South Africa crowned her successor at the end of the event finale. Spain won the Miss World crown for the first time.
Sofia Nikitchuk of Russia and Maria Harfantii of Indonesia was adjudged first and second runners-up respectively. The Continental Queens of Beauty included – Miss World Africa 2015 was Liesl Laurie of South Africa, Miss World Americas 2015 was Catharina Choi Nunes of Brazil, Miss World Asia 2015 was Maria Harfanti of Indonesia, Miss World Caribbean 2015 was Sanneta Myrie of Jamaica, Miss World Europe 2015 was Sofia Nikitchuk of Russia, Miss World Oceania 2015 was Tess Alexander of Australia.
2014
Rolene Strauss from South Africa was crowned the Miss World 2014 at ExCeL London, United Kingdom on 14th December 2014. 121 contestants competed for the crown as Megan Young of the Philippines crowned her successor at the end of the event finale. Edina Kulcsár of Hungary and Elizabeth Safrit of United States were adjudged first and second runners-up respectively.
The Continental Queens of Beauty consisted of Idah Nguma of Kenya who was Miss World Africa 2014, Elizabeth Safrit of United States who was crowned Miss World Americas 2014, Koyal Rana of India who was adjudged Miss World Asia 2014, Rafieya Husain who was adjudged Miss World Caribbean 2014, Edina Kulcsár of Hungary who was adjudged Miss World Europe 2014 and Courtney Thorpe of Australia who was adjudged Miss World Oceania 2014.
2013
Megan Young from Philippines created history by winning the first ever title for her country as she was crowned Miss World 2013 at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center, Indonesia on 28th September 2013. Contestants from 127 countries and territories competed in this year's Miss World pageant, marking the biggest turnout for any major international beauty pageant as of 2021.
Marine Lorphelin from France and Carranzar Naa Okailey Shooter from Ghana were adjudged first and second runners-up respectively. The Continental Queens of Beauty included Carranzar Naa Okailey Shooter of Ghana who was adjudged Miss World Africa 2013, Sancler Frantz of Brazil who was adjudged Miss World Americas 2013, Megan Young of Philippines who was adjudged Miss World Asia 2013, Gina Hargitay of Jamaica who was adjudged Miss World Caribbean 2013, Marine Lorphelin of France who was adjudged Miss World Europe 2013 and Erin Holland of Australia who was adjudged Miss World Oceania 2013.
2012
Yu Wenxia from China was crowned Miss World 2012 at the finale held at Dongsheng Fitness Center Stadium, China on 18th August 2012. 116 contestants from all over the world competed for the crown as Ivian Sarcos of Venezuela crowned her successor at the end of the event finale. Sophie Moulds of Wales and Jessica Kahawaty of Australia were adjudged first and second runners-up respectively.
The Continental Queens of Beauty included Atong Demach of South Sudan was adjudged Miss World Africa 2012, Mariana Notarangelo of Brazil was adjudged Miss World Americas 2012, Yu Wenxia of China was adjudged Miss World Asia 2012, Deanna Robins of Jamaica was adjudged Miss World Caribbean 2012, Sophie Moulds of Wales who was adjudged Miss World Europe 2012, Jessica Kahawaty of Australia who was adjudged Miss World Oceania 2012.
2011
Ivian Sarcos from Venezuela was crowned Miss World 2011 at the finale held at Earls Court Exhibition Centre, United Kingdom on 6th November 2011. 113 contestants competed for Miss World crown as Alexandria Mills of the United States crowned her successor at the end of the event finale.
Gwendoline Ruais of Philippines and Amanda Vilanova of Puerto Rico were adjudged first and second runners-up respectively. The Continental Queens of Beauty included Bokang Montjane of South Africa who was adjudged Miss World Africa 2011, Ivian Sarcos of Venezuela who was adjudged Miss World Americas 2011, Gwendoline Ruais of Philippines who was adjudged Miss World Asia and Oceania 2011, Amanda Vilanova of Puerto Rico who was adjudged Miss World Caribbean 2011 and Alize Lily Mounter of England who was adjudged Miss World Europe 2011.
2010
Alexandria Mills from USA was crowned Miss World 2010 at the finale held at Crown of Beauty Theatre, China on 30th October 2010. 121 contestants from all over the world competed for the crown as Kaiane Aldorino of Gibraltar crowned her successor at the end of the event finale.
Emma Wareus of Botswana and Adriana Vasini of Venezuela were adjudged first and second runners-up respectively. The Continental Queens of Beauty included Emma Wareus of Botswana who was adjudged Miss World Africa 2010, Alexandria Mills of United States who was adjudged Miss World Americas 2010, Tang Xiao of China who was adjudged Miss Asia and Pacific 2010, Aiasha Gustave of St. Lucia who was adjudged Miss World Caribbean 2010 and Emma Britt Waldron of Ireland who was adjudged Miss World Europe 2010.
2009
Miss World 2009, the 59th edition of the Miss World, was held on 12th December 2009 at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa. 112 contestants from all over the world competed for the crown where Ksenia Sukhinova of Russia crowned her successor Kaiane Aldorino of Gibraltar at the end of event finale. Gibraltar pioneered their win at Miss World this year.
Tatum Keshwar of South Africa and Perla Beltrán of Mexico were adjudged first and second runners-up respectively. The Continental Queens of Beauty were – Miss World Africa 2009 was Tatum Keshwar of South Africa, Miss World Americas 2009 was Perla Beltrán of Mexico, Miss World Asia and Oceania 2009 was Kim Joo-ri of Korea, Miss World Caribbean 2009 was Ingrid Littré of Martinique and Miss World Europe 2009 was Kaiane Aldorino of Gibraltar.
2008
Miss World 2008, the 58th edition of the Miss World, was held on 13th December 2008 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa. 109 contestants from all over the world competed for the crown where Zhang Zilin of China crowned Ksenia Sukhinova of Russia as the new Miss World.
Parvathy Omanakuttan of India and Gabrielle Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago were adjudged first and second runners-up respectively. Here are the Continental Queens of Beauty – Miss World Africa 2008 was Brigith dos Santos of Angola, Miss World Americas 2008 was Hannelly Quintero of Venezuela, Miss World Asia 2008 was Parvathy Omanakuttan of India, Miss World Caribbean 2008 was Gabrielle Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago and Miss World Europe 2008 was Patricia Yurena Rodríguez of Spain.
2007
Miss World 2007, the 57th edition of the Miss World, was held on 1st December 2007 at the Crown of Beauty Theatre in Sanya, China. Zhang Zilin of China won the Miss World crown and succeeded Tatána Kucharová of the Czech Republic. Micaela Reis of Angola and Carolina Morán of Mexico were adjudged first and second runners-up respectively.
Here are the Continental Queens of Beauty – Miss World Africa 2007 was Micaela Reis of Angola, Miss World Americas 2007 was Carolina Moran of Mexico, Miss World Asia and Oceania 2007 was Zhang Zilin of People’s Republic of China, Miss World Caribbean 2007 was Valene Maharaj of Trinidad and Tobago and Miss World Europe 2007 was Annie Oliv of Sweden.
2006
Miss World 2006, the 56th edition of the Miss World, was held on 30th September 2006 at the Sala Kongresowa in Warsaw, Poland. At the end of the event finale, Tatána Kucharová from the Czech Republic was crowned Miss World 2006 by outgoing titleholder Unnur Birna Vilhjálmsdóttir of Iceland. It was the first time ever that the pageant was held in the Continental Europe and a European city other than London, United Kingdom.
Ioana Boitor of Romania and Sabrina Houssami of Australia were adjudged first and second runners-up respectively. Here are the Continental Queens of Beauty – Miss World Africa 2006 was Stiviandra Oliveira of Angola, Miss World Americas 2006 was Jane Borges of Brazil, Miss World Asia Pacific 2006 was Sabrina Houssami of Australia, Miss World Caribbean 2006 was Sara Lawrence of Jamaica, Miss World Northern Europe 2006 was Tatána Kucharová of Czech Republic and Miss World Southern Europe 2006 was Ioana Boitor of Romania.
2005
Miss World 2005, the 55th edition of the Miss World, was held on 10th December 2005 at the Crown of Beauty Theatre in Sanya, China. María Julia Mantilla of Peru crowned her successor Unnur Birna Vilhjálmsdóttir of Iceland as the new Miss World. Dafne Molina of Mexico and Ingrid Marie Rivera of Puerto Rico were adjudged first and second runners-up respectively.
Here are the Continental Queens of Beauty – Miss World Africa 2005 was Nancy Sumari of Tanzania, Miss World Americas 2005 was Dafne Molina of Mexico, Miss World Asia Pacific 2005 was Oh Eun-young of Korea, Miss World Caribbean 2005 was Ingrid Marie Rivera of Puerto Rico, Miss World Northern Europe 2005 was Unnur Birna Vilhjálmsdóttir of Iceland and Miss World Southern Europe 2005 was Sofia Bruscoli of Italy.
2004
Miss World 2004, the 54th edition of the Miss World, was held on 4th December 2004 at the Crown of Beauty Theatre in Sanya, China where Rosanna Davison of Ireland crowned her successor María Julia Mantilla of Peru as the new Miss World. Claudia Cruz of Dominican Republic and Nancy Randall of United States were adjudged first and second runners-up respectively.
Here are the Continental Queens of Beauty – Miss World Africa 2004 was Anita Uwagbale of Nigeria, Miss World Americas 2004 was María Julia Mantilla of Peru, Miss World Asia and Oceania 2004 was Maria Karla Bautista of Philippines, Miss World Caribbean 2004 was Claudia Cruz of Dominican Republic and Miss World Europe 2004 was Katarzyna Borowicz of Poland.
2003
Miss World 2003, the 53rd edition of the Miss World, was held on 6th December 2003 at the Crown of Beauty Theatre in Sanya, China. Azra Akin of Turkey crowned her successor Rosanna Davison of Ireland at the end of the event finale. Rosanna is the daughter of popular musician Chris de Burgh as she claimed Ireland's first major beauty pageant title.
Nazanin Afshin-Jam of Canada and Guan Qi of China were adjudged first and second runners-up respectively. Here are the Continental Queens of Beauty – Miss World Africa 2003 was Hayat Ahmed of Ethiopia, Miss World Americas 2003 was Nazanin Afshin-Jam of Canada, Miss World Oceania and Asia 2003 was Guan Qi of China, Miss World Caribbean 2003 was Jade Fulford of Jamaica and Miss World Europe 2003 was Rosanna Davison of Ireland.
2002
Miss World 2002, the 52nd edition of the Miss World, was held on 7th December 2002 at the Alexandra Palace in London, United Kingdom. It was initially intended to be staged in Abuja, but due to religious riots, the pageant was relocated to London. At the end of the event finale, Azra Akin from Turkey won the crown becoming the first ever representative from her country to be crowned Miss World.
Natalia Peralta of Colombia and Marina Mora of Peru were adjudged first and second runners-up respectively. It was the first time that audience participation through text messaging together with the scores of the judges helped in determining the results for the Top 20.
Here are the Continental Queens of Beauty – Miss World Africa 2002 was Chinenye Akinlade of Nigeria, Miss World Americas 2002 was Natalia Peralta of Colombia, Miss World Asia and Oceania 2002 was Wu Ying Na of China, Miss World Caribbean 2002 was Rachelle Oduber of Aruba and Miss World Europe 2002 was Azra Akin of Turkey.
2001
Miss World 2001, the 51st edition of the Miss World pageant, was held on 16 November 2001 at the Super Bowl of Sun City Entertainment Centre in Sun City, South Africa. Priyanka Chopra of India crowned her successor Agbani Darego of Nigeria at the end of the event as Nigeria pioneered its win at Miss World.
Zizi Lee of Aruba and Juliet-Jane Horne of Scotland were adjudged first and second runners-up respectively. Here are the Continental Queens of Beauty – Miss World Africa 2001 was Agbani Darego of Nigeria, Miss World Americas 2001 was Ligia Cristina Argüello of Nicaragua, Miss World Asia and Oceania 2001 was Bing Li of China, Miss World Caribbean 2001 was Zizi Lee of Aruba and Miss World Europe 2001 was Juliet-Jane Horne of Scotland.