Choi Soon-hwa, 81-Year-Old Grandmother Becomes The Oldest Finalist In Miss Universe Korea 2024

Choi Soon-hwa, the oldest finalist for Miss Universe South Korea 2024 (Oddity Central)

JAKARTA - Choi Soon-hwa, an 81-year-old grandmother from South Korea, recently went viral on social media. Choi qualified as a finalist in Miss Universe Korea's annual competition.

Reporting from the Oddity Central page on Thursday, October 3, 2024, the grandmother of three never dreamed of representing her country in the Miss Universe beauty pageant. However, thanks to the changes made to the contest selection rules, he was able to do so.

Prior to this year, participants were required to be between 18 and 28 years old, but due to increased pressure to become more inclusive, Miss Universe removed the rule, allowing anyone to participate.

In addition to lifting the age ban, pregnant women, and women who have children or have ever been married are also allowed to compete. Now, Choi hopes to inspire others by showing that health and vitality can be maintained until old age.

"Now that the age limit is lifted, I say, 'I have to try it.' Regardless of whether I made it or not, I am determined to try and get this opportunity," said Choi.

"Looking beautiful from the outside is important, but I think you should also be calm in the mind and know how to respect others," he added.

Interestingly, although this is an attempt by this 81-year-old woman in beauty pageants, she has worked as a senior fashion model for years, securing cooperation with magazines such as Harper's Bazaar and Elle, as well as commercial campaigns with various Korean brands.

It all started at the age of 72 when one of the patients at the hospital where she worked as a nurse recommended that she try to be a model.

"One of my patients advised me to try to be a model," said Choi.

"I thought it didn't make sense, but at the same time, it evoked my old dream of being a model, wearing beautiful clothes and doing photo shoots. So, I said, 'Yes, I dreamed of it before, I have to try it'," he continued.

Choi takes part in several modeling classes and trains walking during work breaks. At the age of 74, he made his debut at Seoul Fashion Week.

"Being a model is like opening the door to a new road for me, so I plan it in my mind," Choi told CNN.

"I said, 'I will be successful and work hard'. When my dreams come true, I thank God and continue to work hard. It was very fun and I liked it," he continued.

On September 30, during the final of the Miss Universe Korea beauty pageant, Choi failed to achieve his goal of representing his country in the Miss Universe global contest in Mexico.

However, Choi managed to beat other contestants, many of whom were young enough to become grandchildren, as Alejandra Marisa Rodr Ibrahimguez did in Argentina earlier this year.