MISS UNIVERSE 2023
Does Miss Universe 2023 winner Sheynnis Palacios get to keep the crown?
On Saturday, Palacios became the first ever Nicaraguan to win the Miss Universe pageant - but is the $5.75m ‘Force for Good’ crown now hers to keep?
Nicaragua’s Sheynnis Palacios took victory at the 72nd Miss Universe pageant on Saturday, seeing off over 80 competitors to secure her country’s first ever success at the international beauty contest.
What does Miss Universe 2023 win?
As the new holder of the Miss Universe title, Palacios will be paid $250,000 and receive sponsorship deals from a range of beauty, fashion and jewellery brands.
At this weekend’s pageant in San Salvador, El Salvador, the Nicaraguan also received the Miss Universe crown. The contest’s 2022 winner, the United States’ R’Bonny Gabriel, was on hand to place the diamond and sapphire-encrusted piece, known as the ‘Force for Good’, on her successor’s head.
‘Force for Good’ crown: design, value
The design of the Miss Universe crown, which is currently made by the Lebanese jewellers Mouawad, has evolved throughout the competition’s seven-decade history. The current crown, which is valued at around $5.75 million, was introduced for the 2022 pageant.
The re-design came after the contest’s partnership with Mouawad was extended last year, in the wake of the Miss Universe Organization’s acquisition by Thai media company JKN Global Group.
According to Mouawad, the ‘Force for Good’ is set with 48.12 carat of diamonds and 108.44 carat of sapphires, and is topped off by a 45.14 carat royal blue sapphire that “stands victorious at the peak of the crown”.
The firm adds: “Through its motifs of rippling waves and a color gradient that grows in intensity from white diamonds at the base toward the deepest blue sapphire at its pinnacle, the crown symbolizes the dynamics at play when taking action to bring about any fundamental change.”
Does Miss Universe get to keep the crown?
No. Although the winner of Miss Universe earns the right to wear the crown at certain events, it remains the property of the Miss Universe Organization. What’s more, she can only use it during her reign as Miss Universe.
However, Palacios will receive a replica of the crown, made with crystals and semi-precious stones, that imitates the design of the original.