Miss International (''Miss International Beauty'' or ''The International Beauty Pageant'') is a Japan-based international

major Major most commonly refers to: * Major (rank), a military rank * Academic major, an academic discipline to which an undergraduate student formally commits * People named Major, including given names, surnames, nicknames * Major and minor in musi ...

beauty pageant organized by the International Culture Association. First held in 1960, it is the fourth largest pageant in the world in terms of the number of national winners participating in the international contest. Along with

Miss World Miss World is the oldest existing international beauty pageant. It was created in the United Kingdom by Eric Morley in 1951. Since his death in 2000, Morley's widow, Julia Morley, has co-chaired the pageant. Along with Miss Universe, Mi ...

Miss Universe Miss Universe is an annual international major beauty pageant that is run by a Thailand and Mexican-based Miss Universe Organization.Natalie Tadena (July 2, 2015"Donald Trump's Miss USA Pageant Lands on Reelz Cable Channel". ''The Wall Stree ...

, and

Miss Earth Miss Earth is an annual international major beauty pageant based in the Philippines that advocates for environmental awareness, conservation and social responsibility. Along with Miss World, Miss Universe, and Miss International, it is one ...

, the pageant is one of the

Big Four beauty pageants The Big Four or the Big League Pageants refers to the four major international beauty pageants for women — Miss World, Miss Universe, Miss International and Miss Earth. The group was first described by the ''China Daily'' newspaper in 20 ...

. The Miss International Organization and the brand are currently owned (since 1968), along with

Miss International Japan Miss International Japan is a national Beauty pageant in Japan. It was created in 1960 in response to Japan's then-recent lack of finalists at the Miss International pageant. History Miss International Japan Beauty pageant has consisted of the ...

, by the International Cultural Association and Miss Paris Group. The pageant crown used by the organization is supplied and patented by the Mikimoto pearl company. In 2020 and again in 2021, the pageant was canceled due to the

COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December ...

. The current Miss International is

Huỳnh Thị Thanh Thủy Huỳnh Thị Thanh Thủy (born 1 July 2002) is a Vietnamese model and beauty queen who was crowned Miss International 2024, she previously was crowned Miss Vietnam 2022. Her victory as Miss International 2024 marks the second time that Vietna ...

of Vietnam, who was crowned on 12 November 2024 in Tokyo, Japan.

History

The pageant was created in

Long Beach, California Long Beach is a coastal city in southeastern Los Angeles County, California, United States. It is the list of United States cities by population, 44th-most populous city in the United States, with a population of 451,307 as of 2022. A charter ci ...

, United States in 1960, after the departure of the

pageant to

Miami Beach Miami Beach is a coastal resort city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. It is part of the Miami metropolitan area of South Florida. The municipality is located on natural and human-made barrier islands between the Atlantic Ocean an ...

. Hosted in Long Beach until 1967, the pageant moved to Japan from 1968 to 1970, being hosted each year in the same city as the

Expo '70 The or Expo '70 was a world's fair held in Suita, Osaka Prefecture, Japan, between 15 March and 13 September 1970. Its theme was "Progress and Harmony for Mankind." In Japanese, Expo '70 is often referred to as . It was the first world's fair ...

. For 1971, it was held in Long Beach again, but since that time it had been held annually in Japan until 2003. Since 2004, it is held in China or Japan. The first winner of the pageant in 1960 was

Stella Araneta María Stella Márquez de Araneta (born 17 June 1937) (née Márquez Zawadski), often styled as Madame Stella de Araneta, is a Colombian-Filipino pageant director and beauty queen. She grew up in New York City and moved back to Colombia, where s ...

of Colombia. Since then, Japan became the host country and the pageant has mostly been held in Japan, around autumn season either in October or November. The pageant is also called "Miss International Beauty". The pageant advocacy is to achieve a world where women can live with positivity, inner strength and individuality. The slogan of Miss International is to "correct understanding of Japan in the international community" and "the realization of world peace through mutual understanding". It has also recently adapted the slogan "Cheer All Women". The winner of

Miss International 2012 Miss International 2012, the 52nd Miss International pageant, was held on October 21, 2012, at Okinawa Prefectural Budokan Arena Building in Okinawa, Japan. Fernanda Cornejo from Ecuador crowned her successor Ikumi Yoshimatsu from Japan at t ...

Ikumi Yoshimatsu is a Japanese actress, stunt woman, book author, opinion leader, social activist and beauty queen who was crowned Miss International 2012 in Okinawa. It was Japan's first Miss International win in the 52-year history of the pageant. In 2014, ...

of Japan, was stripped of her title and was not able to crown her successor due to conflict with a talent agency that threatened her safety and the pageant night itself; instead

Miss International 2008 Miss International 2008 was the 48th Miss International pageant, held at Venetian Arena in Macau, China on November 8, 2008. 63 contestants from all over the world competed for the crown, marking the biggest turnout in the 48 years of the page ...

, Alejandra Andreu, crowned

Bea Santiago Bea Rose Monterde Santiago (; born February 17, 1990) is a Filipino actress, model and beauty queen who was crowned Miss International 2013 on December 17, 2013. Prior to her win at Binibining Pilipinas, she was a Mutya ng Pilipinas 2011 t ...

of the Philippines as

Miss International 2013 Miss International 2013 was the 53rd Miss International pageant, held at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel Hall in Tokyo, Japan, on December 17, 2013. This was the second consecutive year Japan hosted the pageant. At the end of the event, Alejandra An ...

. Yoshimatsu was the first titleholder of the pageant from Japan to be dethroned shortly before the end of her reign. The organization was criticized for allegedly asking Yoshimatsu to skip the succession ceremony and "play sick and shut up" in order to avoid a scandal with a Japanese production company whose president was allegedly harassing her. In

2017 2017 was designated as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development by the United Nations General Assembly. Events January * January 1 – Istanbul nightclub shooting: A gunman dressed as Santa Claus opens fire at the ...

, Kevin Lilliana Junaedy of Indonesia became the first

Muslim Muslims () are people who adhere to Islam, a Monotheism, monotheistic religion belonging to the Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic tradition. They consider the Quran, the foundational religious text of Islam, to be the verbatim word of the God ...

woman to win Miss International. 2020 and 2021 edition was the second and third times the pageant has been cancelled since 1966 edition, because of the

and Japanese government banned International events, following the

2020 Summer Olympics The officially the and officially branded as were an international multi-sport event that was held from 23 July to 8 August 2021 in Tokyo, Japan, with some of the preliminary sporting events beginning on 21 July 2021. Tokyo ...

postponement.

Recent titleholders

Gallery of winners

File:Huỳnh Thị Thanh Thủy.png, 2024,

,
File:Andrea Rubio attended the Puteri Indonesia 2024 coronation.jpg, 2023,

Andrea Rubio Andrea Valentina Rubio Armas (born 27 November 1998) is a Venezuelan model and beauty queen who was crowned Miss International 2023, and earlier Miss Venezuela International 2022. She represented Portuguesa state at the Miss Venezuela 2022 p ...

,
File:Jasmin Selberg at the Puteri Indonesia 2023 final coronation (2).jpg, 2022, Jasmin Selberg,
File:Sireethorn Leearamwat attending Puteri Indonesia 2020.jpg, 2019, Sireethorn Leearamwat,
File:West Java Province Government Image - Miss International 2017 Kevin Lilliana Junaedy With Governor of West Java Ridwan Kamil (cropped).jpg, 2017, Kevin Lilliana,
File:Kylie Verzosa, both hands on hips (cropped).jpg, 2016,

Kylie Verzosa Kylie Fausto Verzosa (; born February 7, 1992) is a Filipina actress, model, presenter, and beauty queen who won Binibining Pilipinas International 2016 and Miss International 2016. She is the sixth Filipina to win Miss International. Early ...

,
File:Edymar Martinez por Belankazar.jpg, 2015, Edymar Martinez,
File:MI 2014, Valerie Hernandez.jpg, 2014,

Valerie Hernandez Valerie may refer to: People *Saint Valerie (disambiguation) *Valerie (given name), feminine Songs * Valerie (Steve Winwood song), 1982, from ''Talking Back to the Night'' * Valerie (Zutons song), 2006, with Amy Winehouse, from ''Tired of Hangin ...

,
File:Miss International 2013 Bea Santiago (cropped).jpg, 2013,

,
File:Ikumi Yoshimatsu.jpeg, 2012,

,
File:Maria Fernanda Cornejo en Mariela TV.jpg, 2011, Fernanda Cornejo,
File:Miss Mexico 08 Anagabriela Espinoza.jpg, 2009,

Anagabriela Espinoza Anagabriela Espinoza Marroquín (born April 18, 1988) is a Mexican model and beauty queen, She was crowned Nuestra Belleza Mundo México 2007. She was a top 15 semifinalist in the Miss World 2008 pageant. The following year, she became the second ...

,
File:Love Is... The First TeleMovie from Eat Bulaga (2017) - Precious Lara Quigaman.png, 2005, Lara Quigaman,
File:Jeymmy Paola Vargas.png, 2004,

Jeymmy Vargas Yeimy Paola Vargas Gómez (born 16 June 1983) is a Colombian beauty queen, actress and model who became Miss Colombia International 2003, Reina Internacional del Café 2004 and the third Colombian to win the title of Miss International 2004. Yei ...

,
File:Fernanda and Matthias Schmelz.jpg, 1996,

Fernanda Alves Fernanda Alves (born 29 June 1985) is a Brazilian volleyball player. She was a member of the Brazil women's national volleyball team. Career She participated in the 2005 FIVB Women's World Grand Champions Cup, and the 2017 FIVB Beach Voll ...

,
File:AgnieszkaKotlatrska1990.jpg, 1991†,

Agnieszka Kotlarska Agnieszka Kotlarska may refer to: *Agnieszka Kotlarska (model) (1972–1996), the first Polish winner of the Miss International beauty pageant *Agnieszka Kotlarska (actress) Agnieszka Kotlarska (1971-March 10, 2015) was a Polish TV, film, and stage ...

(1972–1996),
File:Anneli Björkling (1972).jpg, 1973,

Anneli Björkling Tuula Anneli Björkling (born 1952) is a Finnish model and beauty queen who won the Miss International 1973, 1973 Miss International pageant held at the Exposition Hall Fairgrounds in Osaka, Japan. Retrieved on 11 April 2008. She is the first Dem ...

,
File:Mirta Massa.jpg, 1967,

Mirta Massa Mirta Teresita Massa (born 1945) is an Argentine actress, model and beauty queen who was the first Argentine winner of the Miss International 1967. She became an instant celebrity in her country, gracing parades and fashion magazines. Massa wen ...

,
File:Gemma Cruz.jpg, 1964, Gemma Cruz,
File:StannyvanBaer1961.jpg, 1961,

Stanny van Baer Constance Catharina Margarethe (Stanny) van Baer (born 1942) is a Dutch model and beauty queen who won Miss International 1961. References External links Stanny van Baer dancing at a Jewish festival in Amsterdam, 1957/1958. Photo by Leonard F ...

Crowns

Gallery of Miss International crowns

File:Miss International 2013 Bea Santiago (cropped).jpg, The ''Couple of Horses Tiara'', as worn by

of The Philippines. File:West Java Province Government Image - Miss International 2017 Kevin Lilliana Junaedy With Governor of West Java Ridwan Kamil (cropped).jpg, The ''

Mikimoto Crown The Phoenix Mikimoto Crown, (Kanji: 御木本不死鳥王冠) also informally known as the Mikimoto Crown, is a pageant crown that was worn by Miss Universe titleholders. The crown was made by the Mikimoto Pearl company in Toba, Mie Prefecture ...

'', as worn by

Miss International 2017 Miss International 2017, the 57th Miss International pageant, was held on November 14, 2017 at Tokyo Dome City Hall in Tokyo, Japan. Kylie Verzosa of the Philippines crowned her successor Kevin Lilliana Junaedy of Indonesia at the end of the ev ...

, Kevin Lilliana of Indonesia. File:Jasmin Selberg at the Puteri Indonesia 2023 final coronation (2).jpg, The ''Long Beach Pearl Crown'', as worn by

Miss International 2022 Miss International 2022 was the 60th edition of the Miss International pageant, held at the Tokyo Dome City Hall in Tokyo, Japan, on 13 December 2022. Sireethorn Leearamwat of Thailand crowned Jasmin Selberg of Germany as her successor at the ...

, Jasmin Selberg of Germany. * The Long Beach Pearl Crown (

2022 The year began with another wave in the COVID-19 pandemic, with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, Omicron spreading rapidly and becoming the dominant variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus worldwide. Tracking a decrease in cases and deaths, 2022 saw ...

–present) – This crown was designed by Mrs. Bùi Thị Mỹ Cảnh - founder of Long Beach Pearl, the official crown sponsor of the Miss International Organization. The crown was used from

. The crown of Miss International 2022 (Miss International) with the theme of Cherry Blossoms welcoming the spring sun, inspired by the beauty of the cherries blooming under the spring sunshine, is the departure of spring. color, bringing the beauty of faith and positivity. The cherry blossom is a symbol of Japan, representing the spirit, strength, culture and people of Japan. Not only that, the cherry blossoms are also a symbol of intense vitality, a symbol of humility, the desire to live together peacefully, characteristic of youth. The design gathers 333 pure white pearls, symbolizing the flowers that are opening, ready to welcome the rays of spring sunshine. It is also a number that carries the meaning of luck, enthusiasm and longevity. In particular, with the highlight are 3 selected pearls with sizes up to more than 15mm, bringing the beauty of eternal life, sublimation and spread. The Miss International crown is also encrusted with 1960 white gems - symbolizing the first year the Miss International pageant was held. The fusion of feats of craftsmanship with top-notch craftsmanship, Long Beach Pearl has brought a special work for the Miss International contest. * The Mikimoto Crown (

1970 Events January * January 1 – Unix time epoch reached at 00:00:00 UTC. * January 5 – The 7.1 1970 Tonghai earthquake, Tonghai earthquake shakes Tonghai County, Yunnan province, China, with a maximum Mercalli intensity scale, Mercalli ...

–

1998 1998 was designated as the ''International Year of the Ocean''. Events January * January 6 – The ''Lunar Prospector'' spacecraft is launched into orbit around the Moon, and later finds evidence for Lunar water, frozen water, in soil i ...

;

2015 2015 was designated by the United Nations as: * International Year of Light * International Year of Soil __TOC__ Events January * January 1 – Lithuania officially adopts the euro as its currency, replacing the litas, and becomes ...

–

2019 This was the year in which the first known human case of COVID-19 was documented, preceding COVID-19 pandemic, the pandemic which was declared by the World Health Organization the following year. Up to that point, 2019 had been described as ...

) – This crown was designed by Tomohiro Yamaji for the Mikimoto Company, the official jewel sponsor of the Miss International Organization. It contains 575.31 grams of 14k and 18k gold, 650 South Sea and Akoya

pearls A pearl is a hard, glistening object produced within the soft tissue (specifically the mantle (mollusc), mantle) of a living Exoskeleton, shelled mollusk or another animal, such as fossil conulariids. Just like the shell of a mollusk, a pear ...

, ranging in size from 3 to 18 mm diameter and is valued at US$350,000. The crown was designed for the pageant on

Mikimoto Pearl Island is a small island in Ise Bay, offshore Toba, Mie Prefecture, Japan. The island is known as the birthplace of cultured pearl aquaculture. The island is owned by , which operates the island as a tourist attraction, exhibiting pearls and pearl cr ...

in Japan with the Mikimoto crown and tiara being first used for

, which was unveiled by the president of Miss International Akemi Shimomura, like the previous crown edition there are also 4 sets of small tiara's for the runners-up in this crown collection. The crown was retired after Sireethorn Leearamwat of Thailand used the crown in

. * The Couple of Horses Crown (

1999 1999 was designated as the International Year of Older Persons. Events January * January 1 – The euro currency is established and the European Central Bank assumes its full powers. * January 3 – The Mars Polar Lander is launc ...

–

2005 2005 was designated as the International Year for Sport and Physical Education and the International Year of Microcredit. The beginning of 2005 also marked the end of the International Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples, Internationa ...

;

2007 2007 was designated as the International Heliophysical Year and the International Polar Year. Events January * January 1 **Bulgaria and Romania 2007 enlargement of the European Union, join the European Union, while Slovenia joins the Eur ...

–

2014 The year 2014 was marked by the surge of the Western African Ebola epidemic, West African Ebola epidemic, which began in 2013, becoming the List of Ebola outbreaks, most widespread outbreak of the Ebola, Ebola virus in human history, resul ...

) – This crown was used from

–

;

–

. Same as the current Mikimoto crown, this crown was designed by Tomohiro Yamaji for the Mikimoto Company. The crown has a symbolic design with a couple of horses and 530 South Sea and Akoya

, there are 4 sets of small tiara's for the runners-up in this crown collection. It was retired after

of Puerto Rico used the crown in

. * The Crystal Crown (

2006 2006 was designated as the International Year of Deserts and Desertification. Events January * January 1– 4 – Russia temporarily cuts shipment of natural gas to Ukraine during a price dispute. * January 12 – A stampede during t ...

) – also known as Maki Diamond tiara, this crown was used when

Daniela di Giacomo Daniela Anette di Giacomo di Giovanni (born May 15, 1985) is a Venezuelan TV host, journalist, radio host, model and beauty queen. She was crowned Miss Venezuela International 2005 and then Miss International 2006 in China. Retrieved on 11 Apr ...

of Venezuela was crowned

Miss International 2006 Miss International 2006, the 46th Miss International pageant, was held both in Tokyo, Japan, and Beijing, China. The contestants arrived in Tokyo, Japan on October 12 and the finals was held on November 11, 2006, at the Beijing Exhibition Center ...

. She was the only Miss International titleholder to wear this crown. The crown was valued at US$150,000, was made of an 18 karat combination of white and yellow gold and composed of over 1,000 precious stones. Retrieved on 11 April 2008.

References

External links

Official English website
{{Big Four Pageants International beauty pageants Recurring events established in 1960