60-Year-Old Woman’s Historic Bid for Miss Universe Falls Short, But Wins “Best Face” in Miss Argentina Pageant
A 60-year-old woman’s aspirations of becoming the oldest Miss Universe contestant in history were dashed amidst a sea of sequins and selfies on Saturday at Argentina’s annual beauty pageant.
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Alejandra Marisa Rodríguez, a hospital legal adviser whose participation had been hailed as a triumph over ageism in a youth-centric society, did not win the Miss Argentina crown. However, she did secure the title of “best face,” one of several categories in the pageant, which also included best evening gown, best swimsuit, and most elegant. During the competition, Rodríguez expressed gratitude to those who celebrated her success in the Miss Buenos Aires contest last month. Her victory there, following Miss Universe’s elimination of its long-standing age limit, had catapulted her from obscurity to local fame, attracting global media attention.
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The soft-spoken lawyer from La Plata, south of Buenos Aires, shared skincare tips with women eager to emulate her smooth complexion and reinforced the adage that age is just a number. “As a result of what happened to me, I believe a new door has opened for many people who perhaps did not have it easy,” Rodríguez told The Associated Press backstage, still dressed in her red cocktail dress with slits revealing her legs. “It was an adventure, and I had no expectations other than taking on a new challenge.”
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For the swimsuit segment, Rodríguez opted for a modest one-piece suit with a shawl draped over her shoulders, giving the audience a playful shimmy as fans cheered and blew air horns. However, the judges favored Magali Benejam, a 29-year-old actress and model from Cordoba. Benejam’s daring blue bikini and high heels won her “best swimsuit,” and she ultimately outshone the 27 other contestants to be crowned Miss Argentina. “I’m so excited and so grateful to be here because the competition was not easy,” Benejam told AP. She will represent Argentina in Mexico City at the global competition in November.
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Even Benejam’s victory would have been impossible a year ago, as the pageant had previously limited the age of contestants to 28. This year, for the first time in its 73-year history, the Miss Universe contest is open to participants over 18 without an upper age limit.
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This change is part of a broader evolution for a contest that has faced feminist criticism since the “bra-burning” protests disrupted the 1968 Miss America contest. For decades, Miss Universe was seen as a showcase for unmarried women in their late teens and twenties, judged primarily on their looks and personalities. As societal norms evolved, the pageant adapted, removing many controversial eligibility requirements and emphasizing qualities like empathy, confidence, and authenticity over physical appearance. The field was opened to married, pregnant, lesbian, and transgender women, and references to “beauty” were removed from its website. However, the term “young woman” remained, along with the implicit expectation of youthful appearance.
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While many praised Rodríguez for competing at age 60, others questioned whether she was setting an unrealistic standard for older women. Her award-winning face, statuesque figure, and sculpted features made her indistinguishable from her younger counterparts on stage.
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“It’s contributing to a sense that everyone should be able to look like this, all 60-year-old women should have the appearance of youth and freshness, as if they were 25,” said Lala Pasquinelli, an Argentine feminist activist. “If they don’t, it’s because they aren’t willing to make the sacrifices.”
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