80-year-old shatters records as Miss Universe Korea’s oldest contestant

PTC News Desk: In a remarkable milestone for both age and beauty, 80-year-old South Korean model Choi Soon-hwa has made history by becoming the oldest contestant in the Miss Universe Korea pageant. With her striking white hair and vibrant spirit, Ms. Choi stands out among her younger peers, determined to showcase that age is merely a number.

Born in 1943, nearly a decade before the inaugural Miss Universe pageant in 1952, Choi is poised to make history if she wins the title and represents South Korea at the Miss Universe finals in Mexico this November. She will compete against 31 other women for the coveted crown on Monday.

Despite being the oldest contestant, Ms. Choi exudes confidence and enthusiasm for the upcoming competition. “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?'” she told CNN, expressing her desire to inspire others with her journey.

Her participation in the pageant comes on the heels of a significant change by the Miss Universe Organisation, which has lifted the upper age limit for contestants, previously capped at 28. “Now that the age restriction has been lifted, I said, ‘I should give it a try,'” Ms. Choi remarked, reflecting on her decision to enter the contest.

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Ms. Choi’s late entry into the world of pageantry follows a successful career in modeling. After experiencing financial difficulties in her 50s, she transitioned from being a hospital carer to pursuing modeling at the age of 72, encouraged by a patient who recognised her potential. Her hard work paid off when she made her runway debut at Seoul Fashion Week at the age of 74. Since then, she has graced the pages of renowned magazines like Harper’s Bazaar and Elle and starred in commercials for popular South Korean brands.

“Becoming a model was like opening a door to a new path for me,” Ms. Choi told CNN, emphasising the transformative impact of her modeling career.

The Miss Universe Korea pageant, scheduled for Monday, will feature a variety of performances, including a singing contest in which Ms. Choi will participate. Contestants will be judged based on both outer and inner beauty, with online voting contributing to the final decision.

If she secures the crown, Choi Soon-hwa will not only represent South Korea but also make history as the oldest contestant ever to compete in the global Miss Universe pageant. Her journey serves as an inspiration, challenging conventional notions of beauty and age in the competitive world of modeling and pageantry.

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