Miss Universe Colombia organization, at a press conference held on 6th April, 2022 in Medellin, announced María Fernanda Aristizabal as the new Miss Universe Colombia 2022. She received the sash from Miss Universe Colombia 2021 Valeria Ayos.

María’s journey has been nothing short of interesting, filled with various ups and downs – the diva now holds the crown of Miss Universe Colombia 2022, though she had won the title national title in 2019.

She was supposed to represent Colombia at Miss Universe 2020. However, in June 2020, Natalie Ackermann gained ownership of the Colombian franchise to Miss Universe. Ackermann later confirmed that a new pageant was to be held to select the Colombian representative and Aristizabal was ripped off the opportunity to represent her country in the said year.

After finishing her reign as Miss Colombia, Maria began talks to be adjudged as Miss Universe Colombia 2022 and after reaching an agreement, the decision was made for her to represent Colombia at Miss Universe 2022. She became the first woman from Quindío Department to win the title.

Maria holds a degree in social communication from Luis Amigó Catholic University of Medellin. Aristizabal has a beautiful way of looking at the world. It is apparent from what she shares on her social media. “Learn not to offer resistance to what is; learning to let the present moment be and to accept the Impermanent nature of all things and conditions. This is how peace is found,” she had curated in one of her post.

She also enjoys making makeup tutorials, dancing and strongly advocates for mental health. Talking about the latter, she conveyed,” Your mental health is more important than your career, money, opinion, the wishes of others and a thousand other situations that are draining your energy. If taking care of yourself means looking down on the world, do it. If you're okay, everything else will fall into place.”