Ecuador’s 46-Year-Old Miss Universe Contender Breaks Age Barriers

Ecuador may send a 46-year-old woman to represent the country in the upcoming Miss Universe competition.

Yajaira Quizhpi, who represents the Sierra area, competes for the national title of Miss Universe Ecuador.

This Saturday, she and 24 other contestants will compete in the pageant’s final in Machala, El Oro province. The winner will represent Ecuador in the Miss Universe competition in Mexico in September.

Quizhpi is the country’s oldest lady to compete in the Miss Universe event.

“I am honored to be permitted to be here. We have shattered barriers, and, as women, we can take a step forward without worry of what people may say,” she stated.

Her quest became a reality only after the Miss Universe Organization modified its age-related criteria. Previously, candidates had to be between the ages of 18 to 28. As of 2024, there is no maximum age.

“The experience was rewarding. It has benefited me personally. My husband and son have been supportive of me. “My husband was the one who encouraged me to register and participate in this candidacy today,” she continued.

Quizhpi is a chemical engineer born in Azogues, Cañar province.

She claims that fellow candidates have encouraged her and that the fear of criticism can be overcome with determination and genuine friendship.

“They (the other contenders) have treated me with tremendous affection, and I have observed togetherness. We have learned from each other, both pleasant and terrible experiences. I want to thank my coworkers, who have always been quite fond of me. “It’s been a great life lesson,” she explained.

Quizhpi isn’t the only contestant who would have been unable to compete if the Miss Universe regulations had not changed in 2023.

For the first time in its more than 70-year history, the franchise has approved the participation of married or divorced women who have given birth or are expecting. Seven of the 25 contenders for Miss Universe Ecuador are mothers, with four married and three divorced.

Daysi Laman, a 29-year-old divorced mother of three, believes the pageant is making significant progress and expresses her support for Quizhpi.

“She is one of our most experienced coworkers, and not just because of her age. She is a stunningly gorgeous woman who is also capable and educated. We get along nicely. “I admire her bravery,” she added during a video call.

Another participant, 29-year-old Carolina Cobo, is a single mother with a seven-year-old daughter. She claims that beauty is subjective, and that the contest’s revised guidelines are helping to battle social stigmas.

“We don’t have to bind women to the notion that if they reach a particular age, they can no longer do certain things, or that they are mothers. In a video interview, Cobo, who represents the province of Pichincha, stated that we will always be women with a dream, a message, and a life purpose.

This is not the first time in Latin America that a beauty pageant contestant’s age has sparked interest.

Alejandra Rodriguez made global news in April when she was crowned Miss Buenos Aires, making history as the first sexagenarian to win a Miss Universe title. While Rodriguez’s Miss Universe run ended in May when she was not chosen to represent Argentina, she described her involvement as “the first step of a change that is coming.”

The Miss Universe organization, which is the parent business of Miss USA, has been under criticism in recent weeks. In “May, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA resigned” within days of each other due to charges of mismanagement, toxicity, and situations that harmed their mental health.