A gorgeous lawyer is hoping to become Miss Universe's oldest winner.
Alejandra Rodriguez, a 60-year-old Argentinian woman, is hoping to make history as the oldest Miss Universe contestant ever after being crowned Miss Universe Buenos Aires.
Following her win, Rodriguez expressed her happiness at the thought of being able to represent a new era in beauty pageants.
“I am thrilled to be representing this new paradigm in beauty pageants because we are inaugurating a new stage in which women are not only physical beauty but another set of values," she said. "I am the first of this generation to start with this.
“I think the judges saw my confidence and my passion to represent the women of my generation,” she continued. “I am determined to fight for the crown of Miss Universe Argentina 2024.”
A lawyer and journalist from La Plata, Rodriguez is breaking down barriers for older women and will stop at nothing to prove that age really is but a number.
After making headlines on a national level, she is now ready to take her talent to the global stage at this year's Miss Universe competition.
Initially, the rules stated that contestants had to be between the ages of 18 and 28 years old and be single with no children.
However, in 2023, it was decided that a woman's personal decisions shouldn't affect their chances in the pageant, which meant that the age range was expanded up to the age of 73 and married women as well as mothers were also allowed to have a shot at the crown.
R’Bonney Gabriel is currently the oldest contestant to claim the Miss Universe title, winning the competition at 28 years old in 2022, but Rodriguez is hoping to change all of that with her name in the draw.
There's only one obstacle that stands in her way of the coveted Miss Universe crown, and that's the Miss Argentina beauty pageant, which is set to take place next month.
And people are really excited about it.
"A positive move towards combating ageism that unfairly dismisses women," wrote one user on X while another added: "Great genes and great frame of mind, aging is not what it used to be! She looks late 40's ! about 12 yrs younger!!"
And it's not only the 60-year-old who is ready to re-shape what it means to be "beautiful."
Haidy Cruz, a 47-year-old mother of two and a fitness expert is also competing to represent the Dominican Republic in the Miss Universe 2024 pageant.
Speaking to HOLA! USA, the star explained what it means to take part in such a big competition.
“Participating in a beauty pageant always fascinated me," she told the outlet. "However, due to becoming a mother at a young age, I was never able to make that dream a reality. Miss Universe, which promotes inclusion, offered me the chance to pursue my dream.
She added that "my inner voice urged me to go for it, to experience the journey instead of just hearing about it."
Miss Universe 2024 is set to take place in Mexico, which has already hosted the event a whopping four times in 2007, 1993, 1989, and 1978.
“I look forward to seeing what Mexico has to offer. El Salvador will be a tough act to follow!” said CEO of Miss Universe Organization Amy Emmerich told HOLA! USA. “We’re considering having the Preliminary in a $20,000 venue in Cancun - this hasn’t been approved yet but the possibility is very exciting.”
Miss Universe is set to premiere on September 28.
