Who will be the most beautiful woman in the world, succeeding Poland's Karolina Bielawska? This Saturday, March 9, 2024, from 3 p.m. French time, the 71st edition of the Miss World pageant will take place in Bombay, India, after being postponed several times. France will be represented by Clémence Botino, elected Miss France in 2020, who had already taken part in Miss Universe in 2021 and placed a creditable ninth. But why isn't one of the Misses France elected after 2020 taking part?
Normally, it would be Diane Leyre, Miss France 2022, who would represent France at Miss World 2023. Yes, 2023, because the pageant was originally scheduled to take place in December 2023, before being postponed due to elections in India. Diane Leyre explained her absence by a"lack of time and preparation", just a few weeks away from handing over her title to the next Miss France, who we now know to be Eve Gilles.
After her memorable stint as Josephine Baker, Clémence Botino this time chose to represent another outstanding woman from French history for her national costume: Marie-Antoinette. In a nod to the host country, the Misses will also be parading in saris! You'll be able to watch this eagerly-awaited parade on the Paris Première channel, not in the evening this time, but in the middle of the afternoon, due to the time difference.
The Miss World pageant, created in 1951, attracts over 110 candidates each year - with a record 127 participants in 2013. Competition is fierce, especially as the Miss World pageant (like Miss Universe) allows candidates to undergo cosmetic surgery. To date, only one Frenchwoman has ever won the Miss World title: Denise Perrier in 1953.
