Miss Earth beauty pageant and its iconic winners

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Catharina Svensson Miss Earth 2001 from Denmark

The first edition of Miss Earth beauty pageant was held in 2001 and was won by Catharina Svensson of Denmark. Born on 24th July, 1982, Catherina is professionally a Model and a Lawyer and is married to a Swedish dressage champion, Jan Brink who is a seven-time Swedish dressage champion. At the time of her crowning, the 19-year-old Svensson was a third year law student and a part-time model. She also served as one of the judges in the Miss Earth 2005. She was also the guest of honour and official judge in the final of Miss Earth 2015. Catharina also judged the 2016 edition of Face of Denmark.

03 / 23

Winfred Omwakwe Miss Earth 2002 from Kenya

The 2002 edition of Miss Earth pageant was won by Dzejla Glavovic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Due to her inability to fulfil the duties and responsibilities as the Miss Earth title holder in accordance with the rules and regulations set forth in the Miss Earth contract that she signed Dzejla was dethroned. After Dzejla, Winifred Omwakwe was declared as the winner. Winifred Omwakwe was crowned Miss Earth 2002 at the Carousel Gardens in Mandaluyong City, Philippines on 7th August, 2003. Winfred graduated from the Institute of Health Care Management in Kenya, where she received a physiotherapy certificate.

04 / 23

Dania Prince Miss Earth 2003 from Honduras

At the conclusion of the finale of Miss Earth 2003, Dania Prince of Honduras was crowned as the winner. Dania became the first Miss Earth winner from Latin America. After winning the Miss Earth title in 2003, Dania became a model. When asked by the press how she would differentiate Miss Universe from Miss Earth pageant, she says, “Beauty, body, and brains of the candidates are given a lot of emphasis in Miss Universe and it is more commercialized. On the other hand, Miss Earth is cause-oriented. If you can still recall, a lot of beautiful and popular candidates from countries that usually win in international pageants surprisingly didn’t make it in the semi-final round of Miss Earth last year. The judges, most likely, were looking for the ‘sincerity factor’ rather than the ‘X-factor’ in a candidate, which perhaps they saw in me.”

05 / 23

Priscilla Meirelles Miss Earth 2004 from Brazil

Brazilian model, host, actress, environmentalist Priscilla Meirelles was crowned as Miss Earth 2004. She was also crowned Miss Globe 2003, and was a medical student when she won the title. During the Miss Earth 2004, Priscilla also won the Special Award for Miss Photogenic. Meirelles, who enjoys dancing and hosting, co-hosted the Miss Earth pageant coronation night for three succeeding years in the Philippines. During the finale, when Priscilla was asked, “On a quiet night, you could hear the sounds of nature talking to you. What do you think is it’s message and what would you like to tell it back?” Priscilla replied, “What I can hear is that nature is saying that love is missing. Because people don’t respect each other, they don’t respect the nature, they don’t respect life. That’s why nature is reacting to everything that people do to her. Who suffer is us, humankind. And love is what would solve our problem.”

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Alexandra Braun Miss Earth 2005 from Venezuela

Alexandra Braun was crowned as the winner at the conclusion of Miss Earth 2005 pageant. Braun, who was then 22, also won the Best in Swimsuit Special Award. She became the first Venezuelan to win the title. During her Miss Earth reign, she met the President of the Philippines Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at the Malacañan Palace, which she considered as one of her most memorable experiences. During the finale of Miss Earth, when Alexandra Barun was asked, “If you are to save only one of the two elements of Mother Nature, water or air, which would you choose and why?” Alexandra replied, “The four elements are important but air is the most significant because it gives us life and it’s what we breathe.”

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Hil Hernandez Miss Earth 2006 from Chile

The 2006 edition of Miss Earth beauty pageant was won by Hil Hernández of Chile. Hill studied tourism and took up modelling, then advanced her studies in Journalism. In 2004, she represented Chile at the Miss Model of the World and South American Queen. She was also a contestant at the Miss World Chile in 203and Miss Earth Chile in 2004. In 2005 she won the Miss Earth Chile 2005, and finally won the Miss Earth 2006 title. During the finale, when Hil was asked, "What effort must the country’s government exert to stop global warming?" She said, "We have to educate the people on global warming. We should help them to control pollution, create global consciousness. Bigger industries are involved here. You run the economy, now it is your turn to take care of Mother Earth".

08 / 23

Jessica Trisko Miss Earth 2007 from Canada

Jessica Trisko of Canada was crowned as Miss Earth 2007. She became the first Canadian to win the title. Jessica has written and published journals on social science, humanities, and international security which were used in various international conferences. During the finale of Miss Earth 2007, when Jessica was asked, “How would you describe the beauty of Mother Earth to a blind child?” Jessica replied, “I would say that the beauty of Mother Nature smells as sweet as the sweetest rose… that the beauty of Mother Nature feels as soft as the softest leaves… and, that the beauty of Mother Nature sings like the birds in the trees.”

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Karla Henry Miss Earth 2008 from Philippines

The eighth edition of the Miss Earth pageant was won by Philippines’ bet Karla Henry. Karla also won five special major and minor awards: Miss Earth Designers Award, Miss Photogenic, Eagle Express Award, Miss Fontana, Pasigandahan Awards (for Manila). During the finale of Miss Earth 2008, when Karla was asked, “What would you tell US president-elect Barack Obama about the state of the global environment if ever you were to meet him?” Karla answered, “I believe the children are our future’, she added a fresh new context to the line that added to her advantage when she answered, ‘Environmental knowledge is something that all of us must share, but most importantly we must teach the youth that this is something that we should instill in them so that in the near future they will be the ones to take care of our mother Earth.”

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Larissa Ramos Miss Earth 2009 from Brazil

On November 7, 2009, Larissa Ramos was chosen as one of the Top 15 finalists in the Evening Gown Competition and on November 8, 2009, she was again selected as one of the Top 15 finalists in the Swimsuit Competition of Miss Earth 2009. On 22nd November 2009, Larissa won the title. At the finale of Miss Earth 2009, in final question-answer round, there was no question asked. Instead, images were flashed on screen and each finalist was asked to describe it. Larissa Ramos’ statement after viewing her image was, “I come from a country that has the largest rainforest in the world, and it is also known as the ‘lungs of the world’. But we cannot just say that we are the ‘lungs of the world’ because my country produces a lot of air pollution as well.”

11 / 23

Nicole Faria Miss Earth 2010 from India

The tenth edition of Miss Earth pageant concluded with the crowning of Nicole Faria from India. She also won the Special Award of Miss Talent at the Miss Earth 2010 pageant. She performed a graceful belly dance that combined Oriental and Middle Eastern style in an event that raised VND100 million, which was donated to the HCM City Red Cross, to support flood victims in the central region of Vietnam. During the finale, Nicole was asked, “What is more important: sunrise or sunset?” Nicole answered, “I will obviously choose sunrise because whenever we see the sunrise, people will think about a new day filled with energy. A new day offers 24 valuable hours to do good things for ourselves and other people.”

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Olga Alava Miss Earth 2011 from Ecuador

On 3rd December 2011, Olga Álava of Ecuador was crowned as the Miss Earth 2011. Olga is also a spokesperson for the protection of the natural reserve of Yasuní. After winning the title, Álava toured several Asian cities before arriving in Ecuador. Before Miss Earth 2011, Olga competed at Reina Hispanoamericana in 2011 and was titled as the second runner-up. During the Q&A round of Miss Earth 2011 finale, when Olga was asked, “Why the candidates chose education as the environmental initiative that world leaders should prioritize?” She said, “Education is the best solution for the environment because children are those who have to preserve the Earth for future generations.”

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Tereza Fajksova Miss Earth 2012 from Czech Republic

Tereza Fajksová won the twelfth edition of the Miss Earth pageant. Fajksová is a Public Administration graduate of Mendel University Brno. Tereza, who was 23 when she was crowned, was a volleyball player before starting her modelling career. She became the first delegate from Czech Republic to win the Miss Earth title. She was unable to answer the final Q&A which was, “What is your defining moment as a woman?” Fajksova, who said she didn’t understand the question, very confidently replied, “I’m so sorry but I don’t understand the question. I will try to send this message: We have to protect Mother Earth. She gives us everything we need in our lives. So let’s respect her so she’ll respect us.” She tripped on her evening gown while doing her victory walk, but quickly regained her composure.

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Alyz Henrich Miss Earth 2013 from Venezuela

The 2013 edition of Miss Earth concluded with the crowning of Alyz Henrich from Venezuela. Alyz started her modelling career at the age of 16. Her environmental advocacy was to work and support the recollection of trash in the Los Roques archipelago to keep the waters of those islands clean. During the Q&A round of Miss Earth 2013 finale, when Alyz was asked, “How does Eco-Tourism contribute to the protection of the environment?” She said, “Because we people are responsible also for destruction our nature. We need to be aware and take care of mother earth.”

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Jamie Herrell Miss Earth 2014 from Philippines

Jamie Herrell of Philippines won the fourteenth edition of the Miss Earth pageant on 29th November 2014. Right after winning the crown, Herrell joined members of the EcoWaste Coalition at a school in Paco, Manila to campaign against the use of firecrackers to avoid injuries and pollution during the New Year revelries. During the Q&A round of the Miss Earth 2014 finale, when Jamie was asked, “If you win tonight’s crown, what will you do to help reverse the effects of global warming?” She said, “Global warming has been known for being a very long, overdue issue. That is why, if I am crowned tonight, I will use my title to inspire others, to help our environment, and we start with the kids…because the kids are the people of tomorrow. And if we teach them, they will also help the community. And that's what I will do if I am crowned Miss Earth tonight.”

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Angelia Ong Miss Earth 2015 from Philippines

It was the first back to back victory at Miss Earth pageant, when Angelia Ong of Philippines won the Miss Earth 2015 title. Before Miss Earth, Angelia tried her luck at the Miss Manila 2014 pageant, and was titled second runner-up. She was also a contestant at the Binibining Pilipinas 2011. During the Q&A round of the Miss Earth 2015 finale, when Angelia was asked, “The slogan for Miss Earth for the last 15 years is ‘Beauty with a Cause’ if you were asked to propose a slogan for the next fifteen years, what would it be?” The lady of poise left no occasion to show her intelligence, as she answered: “If I were to make a slogan for the next 15 years for Miss Earth that would be “We will because we can.” I want to let everybody know that all things are possible and all things are feasible if we work together. We will because we can.”

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Katherine Espin Miss Earth 2016 from Ecuador

Ecuador’s Katherine won the second crown of Miss Earth for her country on 29th October 2016. Before competing at Miss Earth 2016, Katherine represented Ecuador at Reinado Internacional del Café 2013, however remained unplaced. She also competed at Miss Bikini Universe 2015 where she emerged as the first runner up. During the Q&A round of the Miss Earth 2016 finale, when Katherine was asked, "The Paris Agreement on Climate Change is a historic international deal that seeks to limit global warming to below 1.5 degrees centigrade. If you are selected as the Miss Earth 2016, what would be your program to protect mother earth from climate change?" She replied, “I truly believe on the 5 R’s, which is Rethink, Reuse, Reduce, Recycle and Respect. Because I believe that us as human beings, if we apply that to our everyday lives, we can make a change, and we will reduce the problem that we have just mentioned. If we apply that in our everyday lives, I believe we as human beings can save the place we live in, which is our Mother Earth. Thank you very much..!!”

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Karen Ibasco Miss Earth 2017 from Philippines

The 27-year-old Filipina beauty Karen Ibasco was crowned Miss Earth 2017 on 4th November 2017 at the finale event held in Manila, Philippines. She became the fourth beauty queen from Philippines to win the earth title and the third in the last four years. During the final question and answer round of Miss Earth 2017, Karen Ibasco won the Earth title with her winning answer as she quoted, “I believe that the real problem in this world is not climate change; the real problem is us because of our ignorance and apathy. What we have to do is to start changing our ways, to start recalibrating our minds, and redirecting our steps, because together, as a global community, our micro efforts will have a macro effect to help save our home, our planet.”

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Phuong Khanh Nguyen Miss Earth 2018 from Vietnam

The grand finale of Miss Earth 2018 was held on 3rd November 2018 in Manila, the Philippines where Phuong Khanh Nguyen of Vietnam was crowned the new queen. The 23-year-old beauty queens succeeded Miss Earth 2017 Karen Ibasco of Philippines. Phuong Khanh Nguyen is a Marketing student and is bilingual with the ability to speak fluently in Vietnamese and English languages. She won a gold medal in the National Costume Competition while representing Asia and Oceania. Phuong also won a gold medal in the Evening Gown Competition and a silver medal in the Swimsuit Competition, where she represented the Water Group. Phuong also won three Sponsor’s Awards, namely Miss Puerto Princesa Centro Hotel, Miss Robig Builders and Miss Ruj Beauty Care & Spa. The elemental queens of Miss Earth 2018 are - Miss Earth Air 2018 Melanie Mader of Austria, Miss Earth Water 2018 Valeria Ayos Bossa of Colombia and Miss Earth Fire 2018 Melissa Flores of Mexico.

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Nellys Pimentel Miss Earth 2019 from Puerto Rico

The grand finale of Miss Earth 2019, was held on 26th October 2019 at Cove Manila at Okada Manila, Parañaque City, Philippines where Nellys Pimentel of Puerto Rico was crowned the new queen. She made history by winning the first Miss Earth crown for her country. Nellys succeeds and was crowned by Miss Earth 2018 Phoung Khanh of Vietnam. Born and raised in San Juan, Nellys is a Puerto Rican model and also a marketing and Psychology student. She performed with excellence and grace throughout the competition making a strong foothold in the pageant. She also won silver medals in both Long Gown and Swimsuit Competitions during the preliminaries. Her elemental court included Miss Earth Air 2019 – Emanii Davis (Emanii Jovan) Miss Earth United States of America 2019, Miss Earth Water 2019 – Klára Vavrušková Miss Earth Czech Republic 2019 and Miss Earth Fire 2019 – Alice Manyonok (Alisa Manyonok) Miss Earth Belarus 2019.

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Miss Earth 2020 Lindsey Coffey from United States

Miss Earth 2020, the 20th edition of Miss Earth, was the first virtual coronation of any major pageant in the world due to covid-19. The pageant was held on 29th November 2020 Lindsey Coffey of the United States was crowned Miss Earth 2020. USA pioneered its win at Miss Earth becoming the fourth country to win all of the Big Four international beauty pageants at least once. Lindsey Coffey succeeds and was crowned by Miss Earth 2019 Nellys Pimentel of Puerto Rico. She was enrolled in the pre-law program and graduated with a degree in political science and a minor in communication arts and professional writing, from Washington & Jefferson College. During her undergraduate studies, she focused on governmental structures, public policy, and political behavior. She broadened her studies to theatre, rhetoric, journalism, speech performance, as well as studied the art of citizenship in civic and professional society. Her elemental court included Miss Earth – Air 2020 was Stephany Zreik of Venezuela, Miss Earth – Water 2020 was Roxanne Baeyens of Philippines and Miss Earth – Fire 2020 was Michala Rubinstein of Denmark.

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Destiny Wagner Miss Earth 2021 from Belize

Miss Earth 2021, the 21st edition of the Miss Earth, was held virtually on 21st November 2021 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic where Destiny Wagner of Belize was crowned as Miss Earth 2021. This is the first time Belize won the Miss Earth pageant and along with that, any of the Big Four international beauty pageants. Destiny graduated with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Pace University in New York. Wagner and her family established a non-profit organization called ‘Operation Kingdom’ to raise awareness on child hunger and unequal education and to provide sustainable meals, school supplies, and toys in marginalized communities. The elemental court included – Marisa Butler of the United States was adjudged Miss Earth – Air 2021, Romina Denecken of Chile was adjudged Miss Earth – Water 2021, and Jareerat Petsom of Thailand was adjudged Miss Earth – Fire 2021.

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Mina Sue Choi Miss Earth 2022 from South Korea

Miss Earth 2022, the 22nd edition of the Miss Earth pageant, was held on 29th November 2022 at Okada Manila in the Philippines where Mina Sue Choi of South Korea was crowned the new queen. She succeeds and was crowned by Miss Earth 2021 Destiny Wagner of Belize. This year's event marks the return of its live competition following two virtual editions in 2020 and 2021. Mina Sue Choi made history by becoming the first ever South Korean delegate to win the coveted crown. Not only that, she has become the first ever South Korean woman to win a Big-4 international beauty pageant. Mina began in her journey in Miss Korea 2021 where she was placed as the first runner-up and began her journey towards representing her country at Miss Earth 2022. She is 23 years of age studying Communication at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. During the competition as well, she wished to challenge the status-quo and inspire others through her work. Her elemental court included Miss Earth-Air 2022 – Sheridan Mortlock of Australia, Miss Earth-Water 2022 – Nadeen Ayoub of Palestine and Miss Earth Fire 2022 – Andrea Aguilera of Colombia.