Since 1952, the Miss Universe pageant has served as a “safe space” for women to share their “stories and make an impact personally, professionally and philanthropically. The women who participate on this international stage act as inspirational leaders and role models in their communities and for fans around the world.”
The annual competition was first broadcast in 1995 and is now broadcast worldwide, attracting millions of viewers.
While every contestant hopes to take home the Miss Universe crown, over the decades the pageant has been dominated by a select group of countries. We reviewed the records of the Miss Universe Organization to identify the nations that have produced the most female winners.
United States
The United States leads the Miss Universe rankings with nine titles. The country won its first crown in 1954 when Miriam Stevenson became America’s first Miss Universe. She was followed by Carol Morris (1956), Linda Bement (1960), Sylvia Louise Hitchcock (1967), Shawn Weatherly (1980), Chelsi Smith (1995), Brook Lee (1997), Olivia Culpo (2012) and R’Bonney Nola Gabriel (2022).
Venezuela
Venezuela is in second place with seven Miss Universe titles. His winning streak began in 1979 with Maritza Sayalero, marking the beginning of a long run of success in this country. Other winners include Irene Saez (1981), Barbara Palacios (1986), Alicia Machado (1996), Dayana Mendoza (2008), Stefania Fernandez (2009), and Gabriela Isler (2013).
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico holds third place with five crowns. The territory secured its first title in 1970 with Marisol Malaret, followed by Deborah Carthy-Deu (1985), Dayanara Torres (1993), Denise M. Quiñones (2001) and Zuleyka Rivera (2006).
Philippines
The Philippines is fourth with four titles. Gloria Diaz won the country’s first in 1969. She was followed by Margarita Moran (1973), Pia Wurtzbach (2015) and Catriona Gray (2018).
India
India is fifth with three wins at Miss Universe. Sushmita Sen won the nation’s first crown in 1994, followed by Lara Dutta in 2000 and Harnaaz Sandhu in 2021.
Miss Mexico is crowned Miss Universe 2025
Mexico’s Fátima Bosch Fernández was crowned Miss Universe 2025 on Friday, a dramatic victory for the 25-year-old at the center of the turbulent 74th edition of the popular Bangkok beauty pageant, which defied public bullying by one of the hosts.
The first runner-up was 29-year-old Praveenar Singh from Thailand, and 25-year-old Stephany Adriana Abasali Nasser from Venezuela finished third.
The finalists included Ahtisa Manalo (28) from the Philippines and 27-year-old Olivia Yacé from the Ivory Coast, who finished fifth.
