Born almost a decade before the first-ever Miss Universe contest was held in 1952, 80-year-old Choi Soon-hwa dreamed of becoming the pageant’s oldest-ever participant. Earlier this month, she was announced as a finalist in the annual Miss Universe Korea competition. However, she narrowly missed winning her dream title after 22-year-old Han Ariel bagged the top honour. Despite being decades older than her fellow contestants, Choi’s efforts were largely recognised and she even won the Best Dresser award.
Highly motivated and determined, Choi, a former hospital care worker, hopes to inspire others to pursue a healthier lifestyle and find joy in their dreams.
If not now then when? An 80-year-old senior model, Choi Soon-hwa who walked her first runway in her 70’s made history as she is one of the official candidate for Miss Universe Korea 2024. She was born in the middle of WWII and the Korean war when she was 6. ???????????????? pic.twitter.com/KOQqWNOkGh— PJ RN ☤ (@iamprincejanrn) September 17, 2024
Speaking to CNN, she shared her thoughts and said, “I want to stun the world, like, ‘How is an 80-year-old lady so healthy? How did she maintain that body? What’s your diet?’ When you get old, you gain weight. So, I want to show that we can live healthily even when we get old.”
Prior to the pageant, Choi opened up about her stint in the competition, stating that she was determined to try and get the opportunity. “Now that the age restriction has been lifted, I said, ‘I should give it a try,” she said. It is pertinent to note that the Miss Universe Organisation recently lifted the upper age limit, which was earlier restricted to women aged 18 to 28. With the new rules, the organisation has also removed the ban on pregnant women or mothers.
Choi Soon-hwa At 2024 Universe Korea Pageant
The South Korean fashion model, unfortunately, fell short in her bid to become the oldest Miss Universe contestant after competing in her country’s national pageant against others who were twice or thrice her age.
Nyuma yo guhatana n’abana yabera nyirakuru, Umukecuru w’umunyamideli w’imyaka 81, Choi Soon-Hwa yabuze gato ngo azahagarire Koreya mu marushanwa ya Miss Universe azabera Mexico City ku nshuro ya 73 mu kwa 11. Ntiyatahiyaho gusa ahubwo yahawe igihembo cy’uwaruberewe kurusha abandi pic.twitter.com/sc1mvsdwHt— JOSHUA UWARIRAYE (@GodDidIndeed) September 30, 2024
On Monday, she strutted across the stage in a beaded white gown, performing in the singing contest at a hotel in Seoul. While Monday’s contest marked her pageant debut, Choi has already etched her name in the Korean fashion world. Due to financial troubles, she started modelling in her 70s to pay off debts. After a lot of practice and classes, she made her debut at the Seoul Fashion Week and has since appeared in several fashion magazines, including Harper’s Bazaar and Elle.
“Becoming a model was like opening a door to a new path for me, so I planned in my mind. I said, ‘I will be successful and work hard’… When my dream came true, I thanked God and kept working hard. It’s so fun, and I love it,” she told CNN.
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