Fátima Bosch Fernández of Mexico becomes emotional as she is crowned Miss Universe 2025 during the finale held in Bangkok, Thailand. (Photo Source : CC BY-SA 4.0 – File: FATima_Bosch.jpg)
BANGKOK — Fátima Bosch Fernández of Mexico was crowned Miss Universe 2025 on Friday, November 21, during a tightly contested finale at the Impact Challenger Hall in Nonthaburi, Thailand, marking Mexico’s fourth win in the international pageant.
Bosch, 25, emerged as a frontrunner early in the competition and ultimately secured the crown after a final round that highlighted personal advocacy and composure. In her post-crowning remarks, she said she hoped to be remembered as “a real person that gives the heart,” underscoring her focus on authenticity and social impact. According to international wire reports, Bosch has been active in sustainability-related initiatives and has framed her pageant journey around women’s empowerment.
Her win followed a turbulent lead-up to the pageant. Earlier in the week, a video circulated widely showing a pageant executive sharply reprimanding Bosch for missing a promotional shoot, prompting several contestants to walk out in protest. The Miss Universe Organization did not confirm the details of the confrontation but stated that judging procedures remained independent and adhered to official protocols throughout the competition.
Top finishers
Thailand’s Praveenar Singh placed as first runner-up, earning strong support from the host nation. Venezuela’s Stephany Adriana Abasali Nasser finished as second runner-up, extending her country’s long record of high placements. Rounding out the finalists were the Philippines’ Ahtisa Manalo and Ivory Coast’s Olivia Yacé.
The 2025 edition featured 120 delegates, with 30 advancing to the semifinals.
Ahtisa Manalo’s Top 5 win energizes PH pageant community
Ahtisa Manalo of Quezon province delivered one of the night’s standout performances, securing the position of third runner-up. Her placement returns the Philippines to the Top 5, reinforcing the country’s continued prominence in the global pageant circuit.
In the final Q&A, Manalo spoke about starting pageantry at age 10 to help fund her education, a response that resonated with audiences across Southeast Asia. Her strong finish is expected to bolster the Philippines’ pageant community, which maintains one of the largest and most passionate followings in the world.
Pageant controversies and assurances
The run-up to the finals was marked by additional controversy when a judge resigned days before coronation night, citing disagreements over the selection process. The Miss Universe Organization stated that official scoring was conducted exclusively by the designated judging panel. (See related story)
