Fátima Bosch of Mexico won the Miss Universe 2025 crown at the grand finale in Thailand on November 21.
The 25-year-old fashion designer and model defeated 119 contestants to claim the title. She succeeded Victoria Theilvig of Denmark, who won the crown in 2024.
Bosch has focused on mental health and women’s empowerment. During the final question-and-answer round, she shared a message about confidence and self-worth.
“As Miss Universe, I will say to them, believe in the power of your authenticity. Believe in yourself. Your dreams matter. Your heart matters,” Bosch said.
She also encouraged young women to protect their confidence and make their voices heard. For the final, she wore a ruby-red gown designed by Mexican designer Trino Orozco.
Praveenar Singh of Thailand finished as the first runner-up. Stephany Abasali of Venezuela, Maria Ahtisa Manalo of the Philippines and Olivia Yacé of Cote d’Ivoire completed the top five.
Bosch’s win also made history for Mexico. She became the fourth Mexican woman to win Miss Universe, following Lupita Jones, Ximena Navarrete and Andrea Meza.
Her victory ended one of the most controversial editions in the pageant’s 74-year history.
Chaos before coronation
The controversy began before the Miss Universe 2025 finale.
On November 4, Bosch became involved in a public dispute with Nawat Itsaragrisil, the executive director of the Miss Universe Organisation (MUO).
The incident happened during a pre-pageant sashing ceremony in Bangkok. Nawat criticised Bosch for not posting enough promotional content for Thailand, the host country.
Bosch disagreed with his comments. Nawat then called security and ordered officials to escort her from the venue. He also warned contestants who supported her.
Bosch left the event, followed by several other contestants. A video of the incident soon spread across social media.
She later accused Nawat of disrespectful behaviour. She said he 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,” Bosch said.
Victoria Theilvig also left the venue in support of Bosch. She described the treatment of another contestant as “beyond disrespectful”.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum later praised Bosch for standing up for herself. She called the beauty queen an example of a woman who speaks up.
Nawat eventually apologised for the incident. However, the apology did little to end the controversy. The MUO also restricted his involvement in some Miss Universe activities.
The drama continued with further questions about the pageant’s judging process and ownership.
Jury fury over rigging claims
The Miss Universe judging process also faced controversy before the finale.
Lebanese-French musician Omar Harfouch and French football manager Claude Makélélé both resigned as judges.
Harfouch claimed that an unofficial jury had helped select the top 30 contestants. He also raised concerns about possible conflicts of interest.
The Miss Universe Organisation rejected those claims. It said Harfouch had misunderstood the Beyond the Crown programme, which operates separately from the official judging panel.
After Bosch won the crown, Harfouch repeated his allegations. He claimed that the results had already been decided before the final.
Harfouch also called Bosch a “fake winner”. He claimed that business links between Miss Universe owner Raúl Rocha and Bosch’s father influenced the result.
The Miss Universe Organisation has denied allegations that the official judging process was compromised.
Bosch stands firm against hate
The controversy led to a wave of online criticism against Bosch. Reports also said that she received death threats after Harfouch repeated his allegations.
Despite the backlash, Bosch defended her victory and refused to let the criticism silence her.
In an Instagram Stories post, she said that attacks would not weaken her purpose.
Bosch also used her platform to support women who face criticism for speaking out.
“When one woman raises her voice, we all raise our voices,” she wrote.
She added that her victory should remind women of their strength and resilience.
Bosch’s response has become an important part of her early reign as Miss Universe 2025. She has continued to present herself as an advocate for confidence, equality and women’s empowerment.
Miss Universe owners face fraud, trafficking claims
The controversy surrounding Miss Universe extended beyond the competition itself.
Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip, the Thai media executive who bought the Miss Universe organisation in 2022, faces legal problems in Thailand.
Jakrajutatip and JKN Global Group, which co-owns the pageant, faced a lawsuit linked to an investment in company debentures.
Thai media reported that plastic surgeon Dr. Raweewat Maschamadol claimed he lost around THB30 million from the investment.
Meanwhile, MUO president Raúl Rocha has also faced allegations involving illegal drug, arms and fuel trafficking between Guatemala and Mexico.
The allegations involving the pageant’s owners remain separate from Bosch’s Miss Universe victory. Jakrajutatip and Rocha have not publicly commented on all of the claims.
For now, Bosch begins her reign amid intense attention. Her historic victory has made her the fourth Miss Universe winner from Mexico, while the controversies surrounding the 2025 competition continue to attract global interest.
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