Story Highlights
- Opal Suchata Chuangsri of Thailand crowned the 72nd Miss World in Hyderabad, India.
- She is the first-ever Miss World winner from Thailand in the competition’s history.
- Her campaign “Opal For Her” promotes early breast cancer detection and women’s health.
- Opal also won the Multimedia Award and topped the contestant app leaderboard.
- The Miss World finale celebrated beauty with purpose, with 108 contestants worldwide.
In a dazzling ceremony filled with cultural grace and global celebration, Thailand’s Opal Suchata Chuangsri was crowned Miss World 2025, becoming the first Thai woman in the pageant’s 72-year history to win the crown. The grand finale, organized by the Miss World Organization, took place in Hyderabad, India on May 31 at the HITEX Exhibition Centre, transforming the venue into a global stage of elegance and empowerment.
A Crown Worn with Purpose
Opal, a student of International Relations, is an advocate for women’s health and empowerment. Her campaign “Opal For Her”, inspired by her own health scare at age 16, promotes early detection of breast cancer and awareness of mental and physical well-being among women.
Thailand’s Historic Win
Her win marked the fulfillment of a 74-year dream for Thailand. In addition to the main title, Opal won the Multimedia Award and was a finalist in the Head-to-Head Challenge for Asia and Oceania. With over 2.3 million profile views in the Miss World app, she emerged as a fan favorite and digital standout.
According to the Miss World Organization, the 72nd edition emphasized purpose-led leadership, cultural immersion, and digital innovation, with contestants engaging in social outreach and philanthropic missions throughout their journey in Telangana.
Finalists from Around the World
The competition saw 108 contestants from across the globe, narrowed down to 40 quarterfinalists and then to a final Top 4, representing each region:
- Miss World Africa: Ethiopia – Hasset Dereje (1st runner-up)
- Miss World Europe: Poland – Maja Klajda (2nd runner-up)
- Miss World Caribbean: Martinique – Aurélie Joachim (3rd runner-up)
- Miss World Asia & Oceania: Thailand – Opal Suchata (Winner)
These finalists were praised by the jury for their intelligence, compassion, and articulate vision. The final question round tested their ability to communicate purpose under pressure — and Opal’s thoughtful response stood out.
A Night of Glamour and Global Sisterhood
The event was co-hosted by Stephanie del Valle, Miss World 2016, and Indian TV personality Sachiin Kumbhar. Bollywood stars Jacqueline Fernandez and Ishaan Khatter delivered high-energy performances, infusing the night with glitz and celebration.
Sonu Sood was honored with the Miss World Humanitarian Award for his tireless philanthropic work, while Sudha Reddy was named Global Ambassador for the “Beauty With a Purpose” initiative after hosting a moving gala earlier in the month.
Opal’s First Words as Miss World
“This moment is not just a personal victory, it is a shared dream of every young girl who wants to be seen, heard, and create change,” Opal said in her heartfelt first speech as Miss World 2025. She pledged to use her reign to elevate causes that matter and to inspire action with empathy and poise.
India’s Cultural Warmth on Display
This year marked the third time India has hosted Miss World, and the first in the culturally vibrant state of Telangana. Over four weeks, the contestants engaged in leadership forums, cultural tours, and purpose-driven projects that amplified the competition’s theme of ‘Beauty With a Purpose’.
As Hyderabad bid farewell to the contestants, the crowning of Opal Suchata became not just a win for Thailand, but a global symbol of progress, compassion, and the enduring power of empowered womanhood.
(By a Virginia Times contributor)
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