It isn’t hard to imagine a Venezuelan beauty when we think of best performances in the major international pageants since their inception. Even though there are a few other countries which definitely dominate the pageant industry, Venezuela has been a consistent winner in these beauty pageants through time and has proven to be a rising underdog in all the competitions.
Just recently, adding another cap to their accomplished feather, Nariman Battikha Yanyi was crowned Reina Hispanoamericana 2018 at the finale on 3rd November 2018 in Bolivia. The country has not achieved just one but two international titles in this year. The second crown Venezuela got to take home was on 9th November 2018 when Mariem Claret Velazco of Venezuela was crowned Miss International 2018. There is no doubt that Venezuela has produced quite a lot of beauty queens who have dominated the globe with their elegance and charm.
Taking a look at the four major international pageants, Venezuela has not given up the top spots in any of them. Let’s look at the performance of the country in these pageants –
MISS WORLD
Holding a total of 6 titles of Miss World, Venezuela shares the Top spot with India. As Manushi Chhillar took away the title of Miss World 2017, the country tied with Venezuela. Before that, Venezuela was the sole holder of the top spot in the competition.
The country pioneered its win in Miss World pageant in 1955 as Susana Duijm was crowned Miss World on 20th October 1955. After that, Venezuela won its next Miss World crown in 1981 as Pilin Leon was crowned the new queen. There was no looking back for the country as it won its next title in 1984 as Astrid Carolina Herrera was crowned Miss World 1984. In the 90s, Venezuela took home two more titles in 1991 and 1995 under the delegation of Ninibeth Leal and Jacqueline Aguilera. The latest titleholder from Venezuela is Ivian Sarcos who was crowned Miss World in 2011.
This year as well, Veruska Betania Ljubisavljevic Rodríguez is representing Venezuela in Miss World 2018. Veruska is 26 years of age and stands tall at 178 cm. She has a special place in her heart for the cause of Breast cancer and advocates about its early detection among people. There is no doubt that the gorgeous Venezuelan will give a strong competition to the other ladies at the competition.
MISS UNIVERSE
Venezuela holds a total of seven titles in Miss Universe thereby gaining the second position in the highest titleholders position in the pageant rankings. The USA still holds the first position with eight titles to its name.
For the country, the first title ever won was in 1979 as Maritza Sayalero was crowned the new queen. Venezuela also had its first sandwich win in Miss Universe as Irene Saez was crowned Miss Universe 1981. Again in 1986, Barbara Palacios won the third title for her country. Alicia Machado won the fourth title for her country in 1996. Holding a consecutive win in Miss Universe and being the only country to do so, Dayana Mendoza and Stefania Fernandez were crowned Miss Universe 2008 and Miss Universe 2009 respectively. It was definitely a surreal moment for the Venezuelan ladies. In 2013, Gabriela Isler won the latest Miss Universe crown that the country holds making it seven titles for Venezuela.
Sthefany Gutiérrez is representing Venezuela in Miss Universe 2018 this year. Sthefany is 18 years of age and stands tall at 175 cm. She hails from Barcelona and is a Law student. She is also the titleholder of Miss Venezuela 2017. The beautiful delegate of Venezuela is a promising contestant at the competition this year and might bring home the Miss Universe crown.
MISS EARTH
After the Philippines and shared with Brazil and Ecuador, Venezuela holds 2 titles in Miss Earth pageant coming on the second rank as the Philippines holds four titles. In 2005, Alexandra Braun was crowned the first Venezuelan Miss Earth as the pageant was held in Quezon City, Philippines. After that, in 2013, Alyz Henrich was crowned the Earth goddess. With Diana Silva’s representation in Miss Earth 2018, it was expected that the country might win its third title this year. But she failed to win the crown as she was a part of the Top 8.
Diana Silva represented Venezuela in Miss Earth 2018 in October this year where she was a part of Top 8 contestants. She, unfortunately, failed to win the main title or the elemental title. However, her intelligence and beauty were praised by everyone in the competition as she gave a strong competition to the other girls.
MISS INTERNATIONAL
Venezuela holds the maximum number of titles when it comes to Miss International with 8 crowns. Closely following it, is the Philippines, holding 6 crowns. From 1985, Nina Sicilia was crowned the first Venezuelan Miss International. After that, in 1997, Consuelo Adler took home the second crown. Vivian Urdaneta was crowned the third Miss International in 2000 and then Goizeder Azua was crowned Miss International in 2003. Daniela di Giacomo, Elizabeth Mosquera and Edymar Martínez were crowned Miss International 2006, Miss International 2010 and Miss International 2015 respectively.
This year, Mariem Claret Velazco won another Miss International pageant for the country making it the only country to win eight titles in the pageant history. She definitely made her country proud with her performance.