Saturday | May 31, 2025
HYDERABAD, India (AP) – Opal Suchata Chuangsri of Thailand was crowned Miss World 2025 on Saturday evening in a glittering ceremony held in Hyderabad, a major city in southern India. The 72nd edition of the Miss World pageant brought together 108 contestants from across the globe, each representing their country in a celebration of beauty, culture, and humanitarian values.
Chuangsri, 23, emerged as the winner after a series of rounds that tested not only her grace and poise but also her intelligence and commitment to social causes. Known for her advocacy in education and women’s empowerment in rural Thailand, Chuangsri impressed the judges with her eloquence, elegance, and compassion.
The first runner-up was Hasset Dereje Admassu of Ethiopia, whose strong performance throughout the competition also won her widespread admiration and support. The crown was passed to Chuangsri by last year’s winner, Krystyna Pyszková of the Czech Republic, in an emotional moment that concluded the evening.
The event was co-hosted by Miss World 2016, Stephanie del Valle of Puerto Rico, alongside Indian television presenter Sachiin Kumbhar. The show featured vibrant cultural performances and appearances by former Miss World titleholders, highlighting the legacy and global impact of the pageant.
India, which hosted the competition for the second consecutive year, had high hopes for its contestant Nandini Gupta. Gupta performed strongly and advanced to the final 20, but did not make it to the top five. Despite not winning, her journey earned her national recognition and praise for representing India with dignity and charm.
India has a distinguished history at the Miss World pageant, with six previous winners: Reita Faria (1966), the first Asian to win the title; Aishwarya Rai (1994), who went on to become an international film star; Diana Hayden (1997); Yukta Mookhey (1999); Priyanka Chopra (2000), now a global icon in entertainment; and Manushi Chhillar (2017), who brought the crown home after 17 years.
This year’s event emphasized not just outer beauty but the contestants’ commitment to the “Beauty with a Purpose” initiative, a core pillar of the Miss World Organization focused on social service and global betterment. Opal Suchata Chuangsri’s victory marks Thailand’s growing prominence on the global pageantry stage and begins a new chapter in Miss World history.