71-Year-Old Woman Becomes Oldest Contestant In Miss Texas USA History

We support our Publishers and Content Creators. You can view this story on their website by CLICKING HERE.

Pearl and diamonds decorated Miss Universe 2005 crown, worth 250,000 USD, put on display by Japan’s leading pearl company Mikimoto at a press conference in Bangkok, 17 May 2005. (SAEED KHAN/AFP via Getty Images)

OAN’s Abril Elfi
12:52 PM – Tuesday, June 25, 2024

A 71-year-old woman has made history by being the oldest person to compete in the Miss Texas U.S.A. pageant.

Marissa Teijo competed in the pageant this past weekend in Houston, representing Paso Del Norte. She did not win the title of Texas U.S.A.

The winner of Miss Dallas from the previous year, Aarieanna Ware, was crowned Miss Texas U.S.A. on Saturday. She is set to move forward and will compete for the title of Miss U.S.A.

The Miss Universe organization recently lifted the age restriction for competitors who were older than 18-years-old and permitted pregnant, married, or divorced women to compete.

In an Instagram post, Teijo expressed her excitement about competing and her hope that it would encourage women to “believe there is beauty at any age” and to strive to be their best physical and mental selves.

This comes as Miss Universe Noelia Voigt announced her resignation on May 6^th.

Voigt, 24, announced on Instagram that she was taking time off to concentrate on her mental health. However, NBC News was able to obtain a copy of Voigt’s resignation letter a few days later, in which she accused CEO Laylah Rose of the pageant of creating a toxic work environment and neglecting to address a sexual harassment incident.

Rose released a statement saying that she takes allegations seriously and that “the well-being of all individuals associated with Miss U.S.A. is my top priority.”

Claudia Michelle, the social media manager for Miss U.S.A., and UmaSofia Srivastava, 17, also resigned after Voigt gave up her title.

In place of Voigt, Savannah Gankiewicz of Hawaii was crowned the new Miss U.S.A. in 2023. She will remain in that role until August, when a new winner is declared. After Srivastava resigned, Stephanie Skinner, the runner-up for Miss Teen U.S.A., was offered the title, but she turned it down.

Stay informed! Receive breaking news blasts directly to your inbox for free. Subscribe here. https://www.oann.com/alerts