A 23-year-old Nicaraguan model and beauty queen, Sheynnis Palacios, won the title of Miss Universe 2023 in the 72nd annual beauty pageant on Saturday night in San Salvador.
Sheynnis outperformed 83 other contenders, becoming the first Nicaraguan delegate to win the Miss Universe title, according to the Daily Mail on Sunday.
She is no stranger to pageantry, having begun competing in national pageants when she was 16 years old.
The Nicaraguan model consistently advanced to the next round on coronation night, with good performances in both the swimsuit portion and the evening gown competition.
Sheynnis’ life aim, according to the Miss Universe organisation, is to “work in the service of humanity, by running a newsroom and producing content and commercials for international brands.”
Aside from the 23-year-old victory, there were several other historic firsts at the event, including two mother candidates, two transgender women, and a plus-size individual.
R’Bonney Nola Gabriel of the United States, crowned the next beauty queen, won last year’s competition.
