At 81 years old, Choi Soon-hwa made headlines around the world as the oldest ever contestant in the Miss Universe South Korea pageant. The former hospital worker decided to pursue her dream of becoming a model after a patient suggested it to her at the age of 72. Despite facing financial hardships, Choi found the courage to take the leap into the world of modeling.
After becoming a familiar face in South Korea, Choi saw the Miss Universe competition as an opportunity to launch her career internationally. The removal of age restrictions in the competition allowed her to participate and make history as the oldest contestant so far. Although she did not win the crown, Choi was awarded the title of “Best Dressed” and expressed gratitude for the experience.
Choi hopes that her participation will pave the way for more seniors to compete in world competitions and challenge beauty norms. She believes that as more older women participate, perspectives will shift, allowing seniors to take the stage alongside younger contestants. Despite the outcome of the competition, Choi’s biggest fans remain her grandsons, who cheer her on and admire her for pursuing her dreams at any age.
