The 70th edition of Miss Universe pageant was held on 12th December, 2021 at Universe Dome, Port of Eilat in Eilat, South District, Israel where Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu of India was crowned as Miss Universe 2021. But there was one more name that made history that day, of Aruba’s Thessaly Zimmerman who put the country’s name among the semi-finalists after 25 years. Coming only third to Maureen Ava Vieira, fourth runner-up at Miss Universe 1974 and Taryn Scheryl Mansell who was first runner-up at Miss Universe in 1996.
Thessaly made it to the Top 10 of Miss Universe 2021 along with Chantel O'Brian of Bahamas, Valeria Ayos Bossa of Colombia, Clémence Botino of France, Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu of India, Nadia Tamara Ferreira of Paraguay, Beatrice Luigi Gomez of Philippines, Michelle Marie Colón of Puerto Rico, Lalela Mswane of South Africa and Elle Smith who was representing United States of America.
The bachelor of international communication and media studies was completely stunned when host Steve Harvey called her name as one of the semi-finalists, going on to show how grounded she is.
“Thank you everyone for all the warm and kind messages that I am receiving with your support. I still don’t have words to describe how happy I am with the results and what was accomplished not only for myself but for my country. After 25 years Aruba’s name was called amongst the semifinalists. This shows that all my hard work was not in vain, because now people will remember Aruba. I couldn’t have done this without each and every one of you who helped me on this journey, who believed in me from the very start and never stopped believing. Thank you all for that,” expressed a grateful Thessaly.
Zimmerman hails from Oranjestad, Aruba and was also one of our favourites for the title. She is proficient in speaking English, Spanish and Dutch. Empathetic of nature, this Aruban beauty helped raise money for cancer fund of Koningin Wilhelmina Kanker Fonds Aruba in May 2010 and breast cancer fund of Mary Joan Foundation Aruba in April 2013.
She also competed in Aruba Model Search and finished in the Top 7 and worked as a model for KOMA Models in Aruba for four years. She was Miss Teen Aruba International 2012 and represented Aruba at Miss Teen Americas 2013 in El Salvador. She was runner-up to Fulvia Villarreal of Panama.
The queen was overjoyed and brimming with tears of happiness as she was welcomed back home yesterday.