Choi Soon-hwa, an 80-year-old South Korean model, has made history by becoming the oldest participant in the Miss Universe Korea pageant. Standing proudly among contestants young enough to be her grandchildren, Choi is determined to challenge perceptions about aging and showcase that age is just a number.
“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 shared with CNN ahead of the grand finale on September 30. Choi aims to demonstrate that healthy living is possible at any age, countering the common belief that aging leads to inevitable weight gain.
Born nearly a decade before the first Miss Universe contest in 1952, Choi Soon-hwa now has the chance to represent South Korea on the international stage. If she succeeds against 31 other finalists, she could become the oldest contestant ever at the Miss Universe pageant, set to take place in Mexico City this November.
This year marks a significant shift for the Miss Universe Organization, which has lifted age restrictions on contestants. Previously, only women aged 18 to 24 were eligible to compete. In a move to modernize the pageant, the organization also removed bans on pregnant, married, and divorced women.
“Now that the age restriction has been lifted, I said, ‘I should give it a try,’” Choi explained. She began her modeling career at the age of 72 to help pay off debts, showing that it’s never too late to pursue one’s dreams. Choi’s participation is not just about winning; it’s about inspiring others to embrace healthy aging and break stereotypes surrounding beauty and age.
