Fátima Bosch of Mexico was crowned Miss Universe 2025 at the pageant’s grand finale in Thailand on November 21.
The 25-year-old fashion designer and model bested 119 other hopefuls to take over the title from last year’s winner, Victoria Theilvig of Denmark.
An advocate for mental health and women’s empowerment, Bosch delivered a simple yet meaningful response when asked how she will use the Miss Universe platform to empower young girls during the final question-and-answer segment.
“As Miss Universe, I will say to them, believe in the power of your authenticity. Believe in yourself. Your dreams matter. Your heart matters.
“And never let anyone make you doubt your worth because you’re worth everything. And you are powerful and your voice needs to be heard,” said Bosch, who was clad in a ruby-red shimmering gown made by Mexican designer Trino Orozco.
Runners-up were Praveenar Singh of Thailand, Stephany Abasali of Venezuela, Maria Ahtisa Manalo of the Philippines, and Olivia Yacé of Cote d’Ivoire.
Bosch’s victory was historic as she became the fourth from her country to win Miss Universe after Andrea Meza, Ximena Navarrete, and Lupita Jones.
It also marked the end of what is undoubtedly one of the most tumultuous and chaotic editions of the pageant’s 74-year history.
Chaos before coronation
Before conquering the universe, Bosch became embroiled in a heated row with the Miss Universe Organisation’s (MUO) executive director, Nawat Itsaragrisil, during a pre-pageant sashing ceremony on November 4.
At the event livestreamed on Miss Universe Thailand’s Facebook page, Nawat publicly reprimanded Bosch for failing to post promotional content for the host country.
When Bosch disagreed with him, Nawat ordered security to escort Miss Mexico out of the venue in Bangkok and threatened to disqualify other contestants who sided with her.
Bosch then walked out before several others followed suit — all captured on a video that went viral on social media.
She later told the press that Nawat was disrespectful and called her “dumb” and told her to “shut up”, according to the Miami Herald.
“I don’t think that’s fair. I’m here doing everything right — I don’t bother anyone, I try to be kind, I’m doing my best — and he told me to shut up,” she said.
Theilvig, the then-reigning Miss Universe, also left the venue in solidarity with Bosch, saying that trashing another girl is “beyond disrespectful”.
At home, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum praised Bosch for standing up for herself and described the beauty queen as an “example of a woman who speaks up and makes her voice heard”.
A teary-eyed Nawat later apologised for what happened, but his move proved insufficient for damage control as he was restricted from participating in Miss Universe activities.
The drama in Bangkok, however, did not stop there due to controversies surrounding its jury and owners.
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Jury fury over rigging claims
Days before the finale, Lebanese-French musician Omar Harfouch and French football manager Claude Makélélé resigned as Miss Universe judges, with the former alleging that an “impromptu jury” had been tasked to select 30 finalists.
Harfouch said this unofficial jury comprised “individuals with a significant potential conflict of interest due to some [personal] relationships with some of the Miss Universe contestants”.
The MUO vehemently denied Harfouch’s allegations, saying the latter appeared to have misunderstood the Beyond the Crown programme — an independent social impact initiative “that operates separately from the official judging panel”.
After the coronation night, Harfouch alleged that the results of the pageant were rigged, with the top 30 finalists already selected before the finals.
He also called Bosch “a fake winner”.
“I, Omar Harfouch, declared yesterday exclusively on the American HBO, 24 hours before the Miss Universe final, that Miss Mexico would win — because Miss Universe owner Raúl Rocha is in business with Fátima Bosch’s father,” he wrote on Instagram.
Bosch stands firm against hate
Harfouch’s claims led to a barrage of hate comments and even death threats against Bosch, but the newly crowned Miss Universe said she will not let criticism affect her.
“Today, I am here to say something with absolute clarity: no attack will make me kneel, no insult will extinguish my purpose,” she wrote on Instagram Stories translated from Spanish to English on November 25.
She continued: “Because when one woman raises her voice, we all raise our voices. When one woman resists, we all resist. When one woman wins, she paves the way for thousands more.
“To those who have attacked me and fabricated slander, I say: my victory is not a threat. My victory is a reminder that women are resilient, capable, and powerful.”
“We are not here to fulfil other people’s expectations; we are here to transform the world.”
Miss Universe owners face fraud, trafficking claims
The owners of the Miss Universe pageant also found themselves in the spotlight due to legal troubles.
Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip, a Thai media mogul who bought Miss Universe for $20 million in October 2022, is facing arrest in her home country in connection with a fraud case.
Jakrajutatip and JKN Global Group — which co-owns the pageant — were sued for allegedly persuading a plastic surgeon to invest in the company’s debentures in 2023, according to Thai media.
The plaintiff, Dr. Raweewat Maschamadol, said he incurred a THB30-million ($930,303) loss from the investment.
Meanwhile, MUO president Rocha was reportedly charged for alleged trafficking of drugs, arms, and fuel from Guatemala into Mexico.
Both Jakrajutatip and Rocha have yet to comment on the matter.
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