South Africa’s Tshego Gaelae Triumphs as Mrs World 2025
South African model and beauty queen Tshego Gaelae has made history by winning the prestigious Mrs World 2025 pageant. The event, held in Las Vegas, USA, marked the 40th edition of the competition, and Gaelae’s victory has been celebrated as a momentous achievement for both her and South Africa.
The grand finale saw Gaelae emerging victorious over contestants from across the world. The first runner-up title went to Sri Lanka’s Ishadi Amanda, while Thailand’s Ploy Panperm secured the second runner-up position. Gaelae’s win makes her the first Black woman to hold the title since the pageant’s inception in 1984, adding to the significance of her triumph.
A Historic Victory for Tshego Gaelae
Tshego Gaelae’s crowning moment was met with immense joy and celebration. Taking to social media, she expressed gratitude and excitement over her achievement. In a heartfelt Instagram post, she wrote, “To God Be The Glory. Thank you so much for the love and support, I am beyond grateful and elated! My beautiful South Africa, the crown is coming Home.”
Her victory marks a proud moment for South Africa, as she follows in the footsteps of Candice Abrahams, who won the title in 2016. However, Gaelae’s win is especially groundbreaking, as she is the first Black woman to hold this prestigious title in its 40-year history.
The Mrs World pageant, established in 1984, was the first international beauty contest exclusively for married women. Over the decades, it has evolved into a platform celebrating the beauty, intelligence, and accomplishments of married women across the globe. Gaelae’s triumph signifies progress towards inclusivity and diversity within international beauty pageants.
Celebrations and Reactions
The news of Gaelae’s win was met with excitement and praise from South Africans and pageant enthusiasts worldwide. The Mrs South Africa organization, which played a vital role in her journey, shared a celebratory message on social media: “From Soweto to Vegas and now the World, @mrsworldpageant The Crown is Coming Home! Thank you to everyone who supported our Queen on her incredible Journey.”
The organization further acknowledged the impact of her win, stating, “What an honor to have a South African queen as the 40th Anniversary Mrs World and the first ever Black Mrs World. This is a moment of pride for our nation.”
South African citizens, public figures, and fans took to social media to congratulate Gaelae. Many emphasized the importance of representation and how her win serves as an inspiration to young women across Africa and beyond.
The Journey to the Crown
Tshego Gaelae’s journey to winning Mrs World was not without challenges. As a dedicated advocate for women’s empowerment, she has been actively involved in initiatives aimed at uplifting women and children. Her pageant journey began with her crowning as Mrs South Africa, a title that paved the way for her participation in the international competition.
Gaelae has long been vocal about the importance of representation and using her platform to make a difference. Her advocacy work includes supporting women in business, mentoring young girls, and championing causes that uplift marginalized communities. With her new title, she plans to further amplify these efforts on a global scale.
A Competitive Year for Beauty Pageants
Gaelae’s victory comes at a time when beauty pageants have seen increased competition, particularly between South Africa and Nigeria. In 2024, Miss Universe Nigeria Chidimma Adetshina made history as the first Nigerian and West African contestant to finish as the first runner-up at the Miss Universe 2024 competition in Mexico City. Adetshina’s journey was marked by controversy regarding her South African citizenship, which ultimately led to her withdrawal from the Miss South Africa pageant before securing victory in Miss Universe Nigeria.
The rivalry between South Africa and Nigeria in beauty pageants has sparked discussions about the rising prominence of African nations in global competitions. Gaelae’s win further cements South Africa’s status as a powerhouse in international pageantry, following previous victories at Miss Universe and other global contests.
What This Means for South Africa
Gaelae’s triumph brings immense pride to South Africa, reinforcing the country’s strong presence in the global beauty and fashion industries. Her success is expected to inspire more South African women to pursue pageantry, modeling, and advocacy work.
The Mrs World title also opens doors for Gaelae to collaborate with international organizations, charities, and initiatives that align with her vision. Her reign as Mrs World 2025 will allow her to travel, speak at global events, and engage in projects aimed at empowering women worldwide.
The Future of Mrs World
With Gaelae as the reigning queen, the Mrs World pageant is expected to continue evolving towards greater inclusivity. Her win represents a shift in the industry, recognizing not just beauty but also intelligence, strength, and resilience in married women.
As she embarks on this new chapter, Gaelae remains focused on making a meaningful impact. Her message to young women is clear: dreams are achievable with hard work, faith, and perseverance.
South Africa celebrates this historic win, knowing that Gaelae’s influence will extend far beyond the pageant world. Her reign as Mrs World 2025 is set to inspire countless individuals, proving that representation matters and that barriers can indeed be broken.
