71st Miss World - 2024

After a hiatus of 28 years, the Miss World finale returned to India, marking a historic moment in the contest's legacy. The event took place at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai on March 9th and was telecast globally on Sony Liv to over 100 countries. Viewers watched as the reigning Miss World, Karoline Bielawska from Poland, passed on the crown to Krystyna Pyszková from the Czech Republic. Yasmina Zaytoun from Lebanon was the 1st Runner-up.

Miss World 2013, actress and TV presenter, Megan Young and renowned filmmaker Karan Johar were the hosts for the prestigious event. Alongside their captivating hosting prowess, the evening featured sensational performances by artists Shaan, Neha Kakkar and Tony Kakkar.

Fashion designer Archana Kochhar dressed all 112 candidates with exclusive creations for the 71st edition of Miss World.

A fun fact is that Belize made it to the next round of competition for the first time in history.

On the morning of 19th February, Julia Morley and the Miss World participants visited the Raj Ghat, also known as the Gandhi Memorial, where they paid respect to Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi is most famous for his philosophy of nonviolence which has inspired civil rights leaders around the world.

Julia Morley touched a girdle of flowers placed on the black marble platform under which are his ashes, in respect to the great peace advocate, while the candidates placed rose petals on it. It was a very peaceful and meaningful moment.

The candidates also visited the Gandhi National Museum, where Gandhi’s records, letters, correspondence, books, cine films, manuscripts, photographs, voice records, personal effects, and mementos are displayed to the general public. It was a great opportunity to learn about this great man´s legacy to the world.

The Indian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism hosted an inaugural dinner to welcome Miss World Organization and their esteemed entourage, officially marking the commencement of the 71st edition of the contest in India. The prestigious event unfolded at The Ashok, New Delhi, on the evening of February 20th.

On Sunday morning, February 25th, the 112 participants, along with Julia Morley CBE, Miss World, Karolina Bielawska, and Miss World 2018, Vanessa Ponce de Leon, attended the Women Empowerment and Sustainability workshop, hosted by AWWA - the Army Wives Welfare Association, at the Ashok Hall, Manekshaw Centre.

The excellent social work developed by AWWA, promoting education, menstrual hygiene, sustainable development, as well as assisting military widows, were discussed during the special occasion. In what were very inspiring speeches, it was clear that the army wives are gifted women with brilliant ideas, talents, and expertise who, together, strive to empower other women and assist the most vulnerable ones.

MISS WORLD - CZECH REPUBLIC - Krystyna Pyszková

Selecting 10 BWAP projects among the 112 which were presented to the judges, was certainly not an easy mission. All Miss World participants this year acted as true Beauty With a Purpose ambassadors, making a difference in the lives of thousands of people around the globe.

Top 4: Nepal, Uganda & Ukraine

Top 10: Botswana, Czech Republic, Indonesia, Tanzania, Trinidad & Tobago & Turkiye

Meet the Top 10 projects for the 71st edition of Miss World:

Indonesia - Audrey Vanessa

The project initiated by Audrey Vanessa, "Break the Silence", started because of her concern about the high rate of child sexual abuse in Indonesia. Unfortunately, many victims of such unacceptable behavior are unable to act. The Indonesian Ministry of Education recognizes bullying, intolerance, and sexual harassment as problems in the education sector, however, educational institutions tend to cover up such cases. Miss World Indonesia´s main goal is for every victim to be able to speak up and report cases of sexual abuse.

Watch her BWAP project here

Nepal - Priyanka Rani Joshi

Nepal’s BWAP this year is an Economic Rehabilitation Project that focuses on the economic development of women living in the village of Uppardang Gadi. It attempts to make daily life easier by providing access to electricity in association with the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA). The high point of the project MERP is providing work opportunities and a better quality of life for the people of Uppardang Gadi.

Watch her BWAP project here

Turkey - Nursena Say

In addition to being active as a volunteer in several humanitarian organizations, including the Red Cross, Nursena developed her social work in regions severely affected by a devastating earthquake, aiming at the well-being and education of children. As a trained architect, she designed collective housing for earthquake-affected people.

Watch her BWAP project here

Czech Republic - Krystyna Pyszková

Krystyna´s main focus regarding her BWP project is the work she has developed in Tanzania, where she inaugurated a school and has been contributing as a volunteer to promote quality education for children. Because education is her passion, she decided to open her foundation in the Czech Republic, focusing on providing several educational programs not only for children but also for the elderly and mentally disabled people.

Watch her BWAP project here

Ukraine - Sofiia Shamiia

Because of the ongoing war in her country, Miss World Ukraine became an official volunteer to fully help children affected by war and their mothers, especially in families that have lost their homes. As an artist, Sofia understands the healing power of art. She has promoted art therapy with children to heal their emotional wounds and organized a charity auction. The raised funds from the «Lost Childhood» painting sale, were donated to the «Mriya» educational and rehabilitation center for children in Lviv.

Watch her BWAP project here

Botswana - Lesego Chombo

Lesego has worked on a developmental program with economically disadvantaged parents in poverty-stricken and rural communities. She has worked closely with psychologists, teachers, pediatricians, and social welfare assistants. In addition, her project allows the children to be introduced to artistry, arts and crafts, music, career education, and more.

Watch her BWAP project here

Tanzania - Halima Kopwe

"My blood, my generation", is a project that raises massive awareness on the importance of blood donation to save the lives of pregnant women and newborns. Miss World Tanzania has organized blood donation events, visits, and workshops in secondary schools, and raised funds to provide hospitals with medical supplies.

Watch her BWAP project here

Uganda - Hannah Tumukunde

Hannah has done extensive work encouraging parents not to engage their daughters at a young age, which is common in some regions in Uganda. She advises dads and moms to believe and motivate their daughter's dreams and aspirations. Miss World Uganda also distributes sanitary towels and pads, shares information about menstruation cleanliness, and promotes education for young girls.

Watch her BWAP project here

Brazil - Leticia Frota

Brazil is an ambassador for the Hansen´s Disease cause in her country and internationally. As such, she has participated in international conferences in India and the Vatican, where she was received by Pope Francis. Frota educates people about the disease and has visited Hansen´s disease former colonies throughout Brazil. She has also done some volunteer work in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and the Amazon, raising funds to take food and water to those in need.

Watch her BWAP project here

Trinidad and Tobago - Aché Abrahams

An advocate for mental health, Aché has developed the "Invisible Scar" project, having visited schools and promoting workshops to discuss it. She´s also the Youth Mental Health ambassador for the NGO Kids in Need. Miss World Trinidad & Tobago fights to destigmatize the topic, with open conversations with the young generation.

Watch her BWAP project here

Each contestant had two minutes to deliver a Beauty With a Purpose speech to the judges. They were fierce, eloquent and inspiring! These young women indeed make a difference in the world.

The event took place at the Pragati Maidan, in New Delhi.

Twenty-five of the contestants were selected to compete in the final round at the Bharat Mandapam Summit Room, in New Delhi. The five winners advanced to the Top 40.

The 5 happy Miss World Head-to-Head Challenge won the book “Swallowing the Sun”, written by our honorable judge Lakshmi Murdeshwar Puri, Former Assistant Secretary General, United Nations.

Winners: Botswana, England, Lebanon, Nigeria & Zimbabwe

Top 25

Watch the 71st Miss World Head to Head Final:

Imen Mehrzi, Miss Tunisia, sang her way through to the Top 40 with an awe-inspiring rendition of Skyfall, originally recorded by Adele. In addition to the judges´ votes, Mehrzi got a standing ovation from the other candidates and special guests in the Aurika SkyCity Mumbai Ballroom.

"Don´t let anyone tell you that you cannot be what you dream to be. Follow your dreams, and believe me: dreams do come true!", commented a very happy Miss Tunisia, who is a singer and an actress in her country.

It was not an easy victory though. The judges were divided between Imen and Kaitlyn Clarke, Miss World Northern Ireland, who interpreted a hit song from the musical "Funny Girl". Clarke placed second.

Third place went to Miss World Indonesia, Audrey Vanessa, who sang and played the piano.

The 71st Miss World event was held at the Aurika Sky City Mumbai. The 112 delegates walked the runway in black dresses brought from their respective countries before the judges reached a decision. Five finalists from each continent were selected and then only the winner from each group advanced to the final voting round. Miss World Martinique received a standing ovation from the other contestants and the gala guests, who agreed with the judges´ choice after René´s remarkable catwalk performance.

Quarter Finalists:

In a glamorous event held at the Aurika Mumbai SkyCity, in Mumbai, India, the representative of the United States won the trophy for the Best Designer Award in America. Nidal Moda was responsible for designing this smashing gown.

The representative of the Czech Republic won the trophy for the Best Designer Award in Europe. Sam Dolce designed the exquisite piece worn by the Czech representative.

Rgat Afewerki Ybrah from Ethiopia wore the most spectacular gown in Africa. Ybrah´s stunning piece, which she carried with poise and elegance, was created by Enku Design.

India won the trophy for the Best Designer Award in Asia and Oceania. Sini Shetty wore a design by Rohit Gandhi + Rahul Khanna, entitled "Alya Sculped Gown", a beautiful narrative of traditional Indian karigari with contemporary fashion.

Americas - United States

Europe - Czech Republic

Africa - Ethiopia

Asia & Oceania - India

The sports challenge fast-track event was held at the Thyagaraj Sports Complex in New Delhi, India on February 24th. During this challenge, the delegates were tested on their fitness, good health, sports skills, and positive mindset.

The top 32 delegates were announced to compete in the sports finals and Lucija Begic from Croatia claimed the first spot. Miss World Chile, Ambar Zenteno, placed 2nd, while Luciana Arellano, from Peru, ranked 3rd. The Sports Challenge involved competitions in cricket, football shootout, shuttle run, hockey shootout, and 400mtr race.

Hockey India, India´s national hockey federation, supported the event by providing local women players and coaches to showcase hockey skills and #indiakagame. The All India Football Federation, India´s national football body, sent a selected team including coaches to engage with the delegates and represent Indian women in football. Delhi Capitals´ academy coaches and women cricket players conducted a clinic and gave guidance on cricket.

Winner - Croatia

1st runner-up - Chile

2nd runner-up - Peru

America: Peru (3rd place overall), Chile (2nd place overall), Canada, Guatemala, Panama, Guadeloupe, Nicaragua, Uruguay.

Africa: Madagascar, Morocco, Botswana, Namibia, Ghana, South Africa, South Sudan, Kenya.

Europe: Croatia (winner), England, Wales, Hungary, Sweden, Greece, Denmark, Slovakia.

Asia and Oceania: Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Indonesia, Nepal, Philippines, Mongolia, Korea.

As part of the Multimedia Challenge, the contestants were challenged to unite forces to “SAVE THE TIGER”, a campaign by the Minister for Forests, Cultural Affairs, Fisheries, Government of Maharashtra, Sudhir Mungantiwar.

They were asked to write reports on their Miss World website personal pages, as well as on their social media outlets, about the tigers’ situation in India, most specifically in Maharashtra, where a festival to promote the cause will take place March 1st to 3rd - the Tadoba Festival.

Winner - Vietnam