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The Miss Universe pageant is synonymous with glamour, ambition, and hard work, celebrating women from across the globe. However, beneath the glittering tiaras and sashes, the journey of a few titleholders has been mired in controversy, and some have lost their crowns entirely.
Here are the most notable cases in which Miss Universe winners lost their titles unprecedentedly.
© WireImageOxana Fedorova – Miss Universe 2002
The most infamous dethroning in Miss Universe history is that of Oxana Fedorova, the winner from Russia. Crowned Miss Universe in 2002, Fedorova charmed audiences with her poise and intellect, making history as the first winner of the nation. However, just four months into her reign, the Miss Universe Organization stripped her of the title, citing her failure to fulfill her duties.
Reports at the time suggested that Fedorova was more focused on completing her law degree and returning to her police training in Russia than attending events or fulfilling her obligations as Miss Universe. Fedorova later claimed that she voluntarily gave up the title, but the official stance remains that she was dethroned. She was replaced by the first runner-up, Justine Pasek of Panama, marking the first time a Miss Universe crown had been passed to a runner-up.
© Getty ImagesAmparo Muñoz – Miss Universe 1974
Spanish beauty Amparo Muñoz won the Miss Universe crown in 1974, but her reign was short-lived. Muñoz resigned her title six months after being crowned, reportedly due to disagreements with the Miss Universe Organization. She refused to comply with the organization's requirements, which included extensive travel and appearances.
While she was not officially "dethroned," her resignation left the Miss Universe Organization in a difficult position. They chose not to crown a successor, leaving the title vacant for the remainder of the year. Muñoz went on to pursue a successful career as an actress in Spain but remained a controversial figure due to her outspoken nature and tumultuous personal life.
© Getty ImagesGloria Diaz – Allegations of Potential Dethronement (Miss Universe 1969)
While Gloria Diaz, the first Filipina Miss Universe, retained her title throughout her reign, rumors circulated that the Miss Universe Organization considered stripping her of the crown. Allegations surfaced that Diaz had violated rules regarding her relationships during her reign, but these were never substantiated. Diaz completed her tenure as Miss Universe and became a celebrated actress in the Philippines.
Why Titles Are Taken Away
The Miss Universe Organization has strict rules for its titleholders. Winners are expected to dedicate their year to the role, participating in charity events, public appearances, and endorsements. Failure to meet these expectations or involvement in scandals can jeopardize their reign. While losing the title of Miss Universe can be a significant blow, many dethroned queens have succeeded in other areas.
During the 2024 Miss Universe competition, the Miss Universe Organization disqualified Italy Mora, representing Panama. The organization announced her departure, referencing an "exhaustive evaluation by our disciplinary commission." However, the organization did not provide specific details or reasons behind Mora's dismissal, leaving many questions unanswered.
© © IG: @italy.moraItaly addressed the situation in an interview with "La Mordida," expressing disappointment. She shared that the ordeal has taken an emotional toll, stating, "There's a lot of speculation that needs to be cleared up because it's impacting my reputation, and emotionally, it's been difficult." Joined by her boyfriend, Juan Abadía, Italy added, "If I weren't with my boyfriend, I'd be struggling even more."
Italy provided a detailed timeline of events, revealing that tensions arose when she met with her boyfriend. According to Italy, the head of Señorita Panamá, César Anel Rodríguez, was aware of the meeting and even coordinated the room access with her boyfriend. "I was talking to my boyfriend, and he told that he was going to give me some things, and asked me to go to the hotel's gym," she said. "There are chats, where he says: 'You have to give Italy the key to go up to the room at dawn.'"
She also noted financial challenges, explaining that her boyfriend covered the hotel room fees, which César reportedly couldn't afford. "César said that he did not have money to pay for it and how would we do my makeup? Well, the room was paid for, and everything was planned to do my makeup at dawn," she said, referencing her look at the Catrina's Gala.
© @italy.moraItaly shared that only 20 minutes after César left, pageant staff arrived at her room, where her boyfriend was present. "They never entered the room, they didn't know if there were more people there. Clearly they saw my boyfriend, because he opened the door and obviously they saw us alone," she said. "They have every right to make thousands of speculations, because there were only the two of us and he couldn't be there. What people don't know is that Cesar stayed in that room."
Most recent case
In 2025, nearly two months after Denmark's Victoria Kjær Theilvig was crowned Miss Universe, her former competitor, Magalí Benejam, Argentina's representative in the 2024 competition, was stripped of her title due to controversial comments made during a recent interview.
© Getty Images"After a thorough review of Miss Magalí Benejam's public statements, and in line with our core principles, we have decided to immediately withdraw the title of Miss Universe Argentina from her," the organization stated in a press release published on January 2. "Our mission is to celebrate diversity, promote inclusion, and respect all people, regardless of their backgrounds, beliefs, or experiences. Representatives of our organization must uphold these principles, which are central to the Miss Universe community."
The organization explained that the decision was made carefully: "This action aligns with our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of personal and professional conduct. It is necessary to protect the integrity of the organization and the opportunities it provides to women worldwide." The statement highlighted ongoing efforts to ensure the Miss Universe Organization remains a global example of excellence.
