The 73rd Miss World pageant came to a close on Saturday, September 5, 2026, in Nha Trang, Vietnam, with Joheirry Mola of the Dominican Republic taking home the crown. Spain’s Elisabeth Reynes Alabern finished as the first runner-up, marking a historic achievement for her country.
The grand finale took place at the open-air 2 April Square (Quảng trường 2 tháng 4) in Khanh Hoa province. The event also celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Miss World Organisation. Outgoing titleholder Suchata “Opal” Chuangsri of Thailand crowned her successor, marking the official handover of the title.
Elisabeth Reynes Makes History for Spain
Elisabeth Reynes, a 22-year-old from the Balearic Islands, achieved the second-best result for Spain in the pageant’s 75-year history. The only Spanish woman to ever win the title was Mireia Lalaguna in 2015.
Reynes did not just shine on the final night. Throughout the month-long competition, she established herself as one of the most outstanding candidates. She won the continental “Beauty with a Purpose” competition, an achievement no Spanish representative had ever accomplished before. She was also recognized as Miss World Europe. Her performance in the qualifying rounds was notable, as she stood out in five of the seven competitions held during the pageant.
Beyond the pageant stage, Reynes is a graduate in Hospitality Management and is currently continuing her university studies in Hotel Management at the University of the Balearic Islands. Her second-place finish adds her name to a select group of Spanish women who have reached the Miss World podium. Before her, Carmen Cervera placed third in 1961, and other well-known Spanish figures like Bárbara Rey, Lorena Bernal, and Carla Barber have also left their mark on the competition.
Elisabeth Reynés has made history at Miss World 2026. The Spanish representative has become the first runner-up of the pageant after a gala held in Nha Trang, Vietnam.
The Final Results
Joheirry Mola Dominguez of the Dominican Republic emerged victorious from a competitive final six. The 24-year-old teacher and journalist bested 110 other contestants to secure the title. She was crowned by the outgoing Miss World, Opal Suchata Chuangsri of Thailand.
Hailing from Santo Domingo, Mola is a professional model and community advocate actively involved in initiatives supporting underprivileged children and youth. She earned her place at the global pageant after winning the Miss World Dominican Republic title in 2025.
Completing the podium, Taanusiya Chetty of Malaysia was named the second runner-up. Chetty also won the Beauty with a Purpose award for her social impact work.
The final six contestants included:
- Joheirry Mola (Dominican Republic)
- Elisabeth Reynés (Spain)
- Taanusiya Chetty (Malaysia)
- Lê Nguyễn Bảo Ngọc (Vietnam)
- Romanda Hombir (South Africa)
- Snit Habteab Tewoldemedhin (Eritrea)
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Other Notable Performances
India’s Nikita Porwal exited the competition among the Top 40 contestants. The official Miss India social media handle acknowledged her journey, stating:
Nikita Porwal concludes her 73rd Miss World journey among the Top 40, continuing India’s remarkable streak of placing at eight consecutive editions of Miss World.
Nigeria’s Tamunosoye Karibi-George made it to the Top 12. She had earlier secured an automatic place in the Top 40 after winning the Africa Top Model title. The Philippines’ Asia Rose Simpson also reached the Top 12.
A total of 111 contestants participated in the pageant. They were divided into four continental groups: Africa, the Americas and Caribbean, Europe, and Asia and Oceania. The competition evaluated contestants through a multi-stage process that included preliminary challenges, closed-door interviews, and live on-stage rounds.
This year’s edition marked the debut of contestants from French Guiana, Eritrea, Mozambique, Pakistan, and the Maldives. The 74th edition of Miss World will be held in Tanzania, East Africa.
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