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Miss Universe welcomes 80 year old - 14th October 2024

The international beauty contest Miss Universe has just altered its regulations on age limit. This year, one of the contestants was 80 years old!

Prior to 2024, the age range was limited to 18-28, but these rules have disappeared and now the glamorous event's looking rather different. Choi Soon-hwa, from South Korea, took part in the local stages in the hope of making it to the competition's grand final in Mexico, in November. Her appearance caused quite a stir among the other competitors, who couldn't believe she was in her eighties.

Besides her age, her marital status and the fact that she was a mother would have previously stopped Ms Choi from competing. However, the show has gradually become more inclusive, with these age-related changes being the final step. Miss Universe now admits married women, mothers and transwomen.

The grandmother had previously been employed in a textile factory and also as a church pastor, but once retired, her financial situation obliged her to become a care assistant. It was one of Ms Choi's patients who proposed she had a go at modelling, awakening an old dream of hers.

In her seventies, after picking up valuable skills from modelling classes, she was signed up by an agency and at 73 – in 2018 – she stepped onto the catwalk at Seoul Fashion Week. However, the model secretly hoped to attract global attention, and wondered if Miss Universe might provide that opening.

While the national trophy went to Han Ariel, a 22-year-old fashion student, Ms Choi was nominated the "Best Dressed" contestant. As the oldest ever competitor, she received a great deal of media attention. She's now likely to be offered plenty of exciting opportunities in the global fashion industry. In doing so, she'll continue to be an inspiration to all who see her.