West African beauties in Miss Universe

West African beauties in Miss Universe

West African beauties in Miss Universe

Let's meet my favorite Miss Universe contestants whose heritage is from West Africa. They come from diverse ethnic groups native to West Africa and because of their region's colonial history, many often speak both African and European languages. While many represented their native African countries of origin, there are also mixed-race descendants who grew up overseas and represented the countries they were raised in.


Gillette Hazoume represented Dahomey in the Miss Universe 1962 pageant held in Miami Beach, Florida. From the city of Porto Novo, she is fluent in French and recently completed a physical education course. However, days after her arrival in the pageant, Gillette was hospitalized after the medical staff of the pageant diagnosed her with a mild case of malaria infection. Because of her hospitalization, Gillette was unable to participate in most pageant activities and in the preliminary competition. She was however able to attend the pageant finals after her hospital release.

Gillette Hazoume as Miss Dahomey in the Miss Universe 1962 pageant

Gillette Hazoume as Miss Dahomey in the Miss Universe 1962 pageant

Gillette Hazoume as Miss Dahomey in the Miss Universe 1962 pageant

Gillette Hazoume as Miss Dahomey in the Miss Universe 1962 pageant

Gillette Hazoume as Miss Dahomey in the Miss Universe 1962 pageant

Edna Park won the title of Miss Nigeria 1964. At the time when she won the national title, Edna was based in Lagos pursuing her secondary education. Of Itsekiri heritage, Edna soon represented Nigeria in the Miss Universe 1964 pageant held in Miami Beach, Florida. Being Nigeria's first delegate in the Miss Universe pageant, Edna became notable among the journalists covering the pageant. At the night when the preliminary competition concluded, it was reported that Edna collapsed backstage, distraught over not being selected among the Top 15 semi-finalists and had to be carried off by pageant officials to be hospitalized. Recovering from the commotion, she was eventually chosen as one of the candidates to perform a native dance during a segment of the pageant finals .

Edna Park Miss Nigeria 1964

Edna Park as Miss Nigeria in the Miss Universe 1964 pageant

Edna Park as Miss Nigeria in the Miss Universe 1964 pageant

Edna Park as Miss Nigeria in the Miss Universe 1964 pageant

Edna Park as Miss Nigeria in the Miss Universe 1964 pageant

Edna Park as Miss Nigeria in the Miss Universe 1964 pageant

Edna Park as Miss Nigeria in the Miss Universe 1964 pageant

Thioro Thiam won the title of Miss Senegal 1974. Hailing from Dakar, she is fluent in French and was a student before winning the national title. She soon represented Senegal in the Miss Universe 1974 pageant held in Manila, Philippines. Noted for her exotic, braided hairstyle, the statuesque African beauty became a crowd favorite during the pageant.

Thioro Thiam Miss Senegal 1974

Thioro Thiam as Miss Senegal in the Miss Universe 1974 pageant

Thioro Thiam as Miss Senegal in the Miss Universe 1974 pageant

Thioro Thiam as Miss Senegal in the Miss Universe 1974 pageant

Thioro Thiam as Miss Senegal in the Miss Universe 1974 pageant

Iyabode Ololade Remilekun Odusoga won the title of Miss Suomi 1996 (Miss Finland). Nicknamed "Lola", she was born and raised in Turku, Finland, and comes from a multiracial background; her mother is Finnish while her father is of Yoruba descent from Nigeria. Before winning the national title, Lola has been working as a model and has held several local beauty titles in Finland. Fluent in Finnish and English, Lola soon represented Finland in the Miss Universe 1996 pageant held in Las Vegas, Nevada. Noted for her exotic looks and elegance, Lola became a favorite during the pageant and eventually finished as 2nd runner-up. After the pageant, Lola returned to her native Finland and became active in the local entertainment industry appearing as an actress, host and model.

Lola Odusoga Miss Finland 1996

Lola Odusoga as Miss Finland in Miss Universe 1996

Lola Odusoga as Miss Finland in Miss Universe 1996

Lola Odusoga as Miss Finland in Miss Universe 1996

Lola Odusoga as Miss Finland in Miss Universe 1996

Lola Odusoga as Miss Finland in Miss Universe 1996

Lola Odusoga as Miss Finland in Miss Universe 1996

Lola Odusoga as Miss Finland in Miss Universe 1996

Ibiagbanidokibubo Asenite Darego won the title of MBGN 2001 (Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria). Before winning the national title, she recently completed her secondary education and was planning to pursue a degree in mathematics and computer science. Hailing from Rivers State, she is fluent in Ikwerre and English. Competing as "Agbani Darego", she soon represented Nigeria in the Miss Universe 2001 pageant held in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. The statuesque African beauty became a favorite during the pageant and finished among the Top 10 sem-finalists. She then represented Nigeria in the Miss World 2001 pageant held in Sun City, South Africa. Praised for her elegance and charm, Agbani emerged to win the title of Miss World 2001, becoming the first Nigerian to win the international beauty title. After her reign, Agbani became active in the international modeling industry.

Agbani Darego MBGN 2001

Agbani Darego Miss Universe Nigeria 2001

Agbani Darego Miss Universe Nigeria 2001

Agbani Darego Miss Universe Nigeria 2001

Agbani Darego Miss Universe Nigeria 2001

Agbani Darego Miss Universe Nigeria 2001

Agbani Darego Miss World Nigeria 2001

Agbani Darego Miss World Nigeria 2001

Agbani Darego Miss World Nigeria 2001

Agbani Darego Miss World 2001

Agbani Darego Miss World 2001

Evelyn Abena Akuaba Appiah won the title of Miss Universe Ghana 2014. Born and raised in Accra, Ghana, she and her family hold dual citizenship in both Ghana and the United States, where she completed her secondary education. Before winning the national title, Abena was based in Ghana, pursuing a fashion degree and is also active in the music industry as a singer, songwriter and musician. Fluent in English and Twi, Abena soon represented Ghana in the Miss Universe 2014 pageant held in Miami, Florida, where she was noted for her slender figure and natural afro hair.

Abena Appiah Miss Universe Ghana 2014

Abena Appiah Miss Universe Ghana 2014

Abena Appiah Miss Universe Ghana 2014

Abena Appiah Miss Universe Ghana 2014

Abena Appiah Miss Universe Ghana 2014

Abena Appiah Miss Universe Ghana 2014

Abena Appiah Miss Universe Ghana 2014

Flora Coquerel won the title of Miss France 2014. Of mixed-race background, Flora was born to a French father while her mother is originally from Benin (formerly Dahomey). Before winning the national title, she was based in Morancez pursuing a degree in international trade and has also spent time in Benin as a child. Aside from her native French, she also speaks English and Spanish. During her reign as Miss France 2014, she visited Benin to reconnect with her Beninese relatives and heritage. The towering beauty soon represented France in the Miss World 2014 pageant held in London, United Kingdom where she was a huge favorite to win the title. After her reign as Miss France 2014, she was soon appointed by the Miss France organization to become France's representative in the Miss Universe 2015 pageant held in Las Vegas, Nevada. Noted for elegance and eloquence, Flora became a huge favorite during the pageant and eventually finished among the Top 5 finalists.

Flora Coquerel Miss France 2014

Flora Coquerel Miss France 2014

Flora Coquerel Miss World France 2014

Flora Coquerel Miss World France 2014

Flora Coquerel Miss Universe France 2015

Flora Coquerel Miss Universe France 2015

Flora Coquerel Miss Universe France 2015

Flora Coquerel Miss Universe France 2015

Flora Coquerel Miss Universe France 2015

Flora Coquerel Miss Universe France 2015

Flora Coquerel Miss Universe France 2015


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