Miss Universe 2022 R’Bonney Gabriel marked a historic moment for the world of pageantry by eliminating age restrictions. She made the announcement during New York Fashion Week 2024.
Age is not a barrier to a woman’s ability to compete and achieve greatness,” says R’Bonney Gabriel, as she announced eliminating its upper age limit, which had previously been set at 28.
She highlighted significant changes within the Miss Universe Organisation.
The rule change represents a commitment to diversity and sets a new benchmark for pageants around the world in 2024.
However, contestants must be at least 18 years old in order to compete in the pageantry. The implementation is part of the organization’s ongoing commitment to diversity. So far the 2023 season has removed restrictions on married, divorced, and pregnant contestants, cementing its resolution to embrace diversity.
“Age is not a barrier to a woman’s ability to compete and achieve greatness,” the Miss Universe winner told reporters at New York Fashion Week.
“It’s a bold group of women in charge over here, and you know what, a lot of people tend to follow what we do – it’s nice to be a standard-bearer and I’m proud that we get to do that,” R’Bonney said.
