Meet Victoria Kjær Theilvig, Miss Denmark and Miss Universe 2024

• Victoria Kjær Theilvig is the first Miss Denmark to win Miss Universe in the pageant’s history.
• She is an experienced party queen, dancer and diamond seller.
• Theilvig said she overcame childhood trauma and abuse to reach the Miss Universe stage.

Victoria Kjær Theilvig is the new Miss Universe.

Theilvig was crowned the winner of the 73rd Miss Universe pageant in Mexico City on Saturday night, competing against 124 women for the title.

The pageant queen, who celebrated her 21st birthday a few days before the victory, is the first Miss Denmark to be crowned Miss Universe.

Here’s what we know about her.

Victoria Kjær Theilvig is a historic Miss Universe

It was 61 years ago that a Miss Denmark contestant had placed in the top five in a Miss Universe competition before Theilvig clinched his country’s first ever victory on Saturday evening.

Theilvig is also the first blonde winner of Miss Universe since Miss Australia Jennifer Hawkins did it in 2004.

Several women made history at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant. First runner-up Chidimma Adetshina was the first Miss Nigeria to place in the top five. Miss Malta Beatrice Njoya, 40, was the oldest woman to ever compete in the pageant, and Miss Egypt Logina Salah was the first Miss Universe contestant with vitiligo.

Theilvig is a seasoned party queen

In one video for Miss UniverseTheilvig revealed that she started competing in pageants when she was 5 years old.

“I’ve always watched the Miss Universe pageant and other big international pageants,” she said in the video. As soon as I turned 17, I signed up for the Miss Denmark competition.

Theilvig was named second runner-up at the Miss Denmark 2021 competition. She also participated in the Miss Grand International 2022 competition and placed in the top 20. In September, she was chosen to represent Denmark at Miss Universe 2024.

In her Miss Universe video, Theilvig said she practiced her public speaking and runway walk in preparation for Miss Universe so she could be “the best version of myself.” However, she added that she was not stressed about the competition.

“I don’t see it as stress and pressure. I actually see it as working hard to achieve your dreams,” she said. “I’m just trying to enjoy every moment of it because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I want this so much.”

Theilvig is a dancer and beauty entrepreneur

Theilvig grew up in Copenhagen and has a bachelor’s degree in business and marketing.

The pageant queen has worked as a professional dancer and dance teacher, but is currently in the diamond sales business. She also started her own eyelash extension company when she was 16.

According to her Miss Universe biography, Theilvig aspires to become a lawyer.

Theilvig became an advocate for mental health after overcoming childhood trauma

In her video for Miss UniverseTheilvig said she came from a “very dysfunctional family with many drug addicts” and “had also been abused”.

“I’ve worked so hard on myself,” she continued. “I stand here today as the strongest version of me that I have ever been.”

Theilvig said she wanted to use her platform to spread the message that “there’s always a new day tomorrow.”

“You don’t let your past define the person you are and the person you want to be,” she said in the video. “No matter where you come from, no matter your background, you can always choose to turn it into something positive. So just keep dreaming, and dream big.”

Theilvig repeated this message during the final round of Miss Universe, when the top five contestants had to answer the same question: “Miss Universe has inspired generations of women. What is your message to the women who are watching you right now?”

“No matter where you come from, no matter your past, you can always choose to make it your strengths,” Theilvig told the judges. “It will never define who you are. You just have to keep fighting.”

Theilvig will use his platform to advocate for animal protection

Theilvig works as a volunteer at her local animal shelter and looks after rescue rabbits.

In her philanthropy video for Miss UniverseTheilvig explained why animal rights were important to her.

“Every day, countless animals suffer in silence. They don’t have a voice to speak up for their own rights, and they can’t advocate for their own well-being,” she said. “By advocating for animal protection, we not only highlight the importance of kindness, but we also show the beauty of our shared humanity.”

Theilvig said she hoped to inspire others to “look beyond the surface and recognize the value of every living being.”

“Together we can amplify our voices to advocate for social change,” she added. “Every action counts. Let’s become champions of change and use our influence to create a compassionate world where all beings can thrive.”