From Controversy to Crown: Mexico’s Fátima Bosch Wins Miss Universe 2025 in a Stirring Victory

New Delhi, November 21, 2025: In a glittering, tension-filled finale in Thailand, Fátima Bosch of Mexico was crowned Miss Universe 2025, securing the coveted title against over 100 international contestants. The 25-year-old from Villahermosa, Tabasco, clinched the 74th Miss Universe crown, bringing home the title for Mexico five years after Andrea Meza’s victory in 2020. Bosch’s win is particularly poignant, coming after she faced an intense public controversy early in the pageant, transforming her journey into a powerful underdog narrative centered on authenticity and self-worth.

A Victorious Stand for Authenticity

Fátima Bosch’s path to the crown was marked by both elegance and a courageous display of conviction. The fashion and apparel design graduate from Universidad Iberoamericana was a fan favourite, not just for her stunning stage presence but also for her resolute response to being publicly criticized by a pageant executive during a pre-finale event.

Bosch, who is an advocate for sustainable fashion and has shared her personal journey of turning her dyslexia, ADHD, and hyperactivity diagnosis into strengths, used her final moments on stage to deliver a message that resonated deeply with the year’s theme, ‘The Power of Love.’

Responding to the final question, which focused on how she would utilise the Miss Universe platform to empower young girls, Bosch’s winning statement was: “Believe in the power of your authenticity. Your dreams matter, your heart matters. Never let anyone make you doubt your worth.”

The emotional crowning moment saw last year’s winner, Victoria Kjær Theilvig of Denmark, place the sash and crown on an overwhelmed and teary-eyed Bosch, who was immediately embraced by her fellow queens in a heartwarming show of solidarity.

The Final Lineup

The evening’s competition was fierce, narrowing the field from an initial Top 30 to the Top 5. The final results were as follows:

• Winner: Fátima Bosch, Mexico
• First Runner-Up: Praveenar Singh, Thailand
• Second Runner-Up: Stephany Abasali, Venezuela
• Third Runner-Up: Ahtisa Manalo, Philippines
• Fourth Runner-Up: Olivia Yacé, Côte d’Ivoire

India’s Manika Vishwakarma Misses the Cut

For India, the dream of securing a fourth Miss Universe crown since Harnaaz Sandhu’s victory in 2021 was unfortunately paused. India’s representative, Manika Vishwakarma, a trained classical dancer and visual artist from Rajasthan, exited the competition after failing to secure a spot in the Top 12.

Vishwakarma’s journey was marked by her compelling platform advocating for inclusive education, mental wellness, and the power of artistic expression. She captivated audiences during the preliminary rounds, particularly garnering viral attention for her confident and poised walk in an electric blue monokini during the swimsuit segment. Her national costume, titled ‘The Birth of Enlightenment,’ was also highly praised for its rich symbolism, paying a powerful tribute to India’s Buddhist heritage in a stunning gold and saffron ensemble.

Despite a strong presentation throughout the pre-pageant activities, Vishwakarma was eliminated after the initial selection of the Top 12, which followed the highly competitive swimsuit presentation. Her elimination means India’s quest for the coveted Miss Universe title continues, but her grace and strong advocacy work ensured India was represented with dignity and pride on the global stage.

The Miss Universe 2025 pageant, hosted by internationally acclaimed performer Steve Byrne, was judged by an esteemed panel that included Indian badminton legend Saina Nehwal. The host nation’s culture was celebrated through a special Thai traditional performance, and Thai singer-songwriter Jeff Satur lit up the night with his musical acts.