How the 9 most educated Miss Universe contestants advocate for a better world

The Miss Universe title has long been synonymous with grace, poise, and, of course, beauty.

One overlooked aspect, however, is that many women who compete don’t just have stunning faces; they’re highly educated too.

Over the years, the competition has evolved, emphasising intelligence, leadership, and social impact. As a result, more contestants have impressive educational backgrounds, highlighting their drive and commitment to making a difference in the world.

However, the pageant industry still receives criticism for its perpetuation of unrealistic body images and crowning tall, thin women as the “universe’s” beauty standard.

That begs the question, “Is Miss Universe only about looks?”

“It’s about personality. It’s about having courage to bring differences in society,” shares Miss Universe 2021, Harnaaz Sandhu from India. Source: AFP

What does it take to be Miss Universe?

The short answer is: no, Miss Universe pageants are no longer just about looks.

Since its beginnings in 1952, what started as a competition of physical beauty has become a competition that values intelligence, communication skills, personality, and passion for social issues. 

The organisers say the Miss Universe contest is more than a beauty pageant. They state that women aspiring to become Miss Universe must be intelligent, well-mannered, and cultured.

As a Miss Universe contestant, you are expected to be a figure of grace and beauty and a well-rounded individual who can speak on topics such as current events and environmental issues. 

Dr. Wincci Soo, a former Miss World Malaysia, proves that these beauty pageants prioritise intellect just as much as looks.

Dr. Soo is not just a beauty queen; she holds multiple academic degrees, including a PhD in Business Strategy and a Master’s in Music Production from Berklee College of Music. In fact, she has the record for the “Most Academic Degrees Achieved By A Beauty Queen” and continues to pursue additional degrees.

She strongly advocates for women in education and is a testament to the idea that brains do count. “People ask me what my unique selling point is, and I’d say it is studying,” she says.

However, despite this shift, beauty pageants still face criticism for prioritising looks.

While many pageants now celebrate contestants’ social advocacy and academic achievements, the focus on physical beauty remains. Many argue that this sends the wrong message, perpetuating stereotypes about women’s value being tied to their looks.

While the shift may be slow, the number of highly educated women being crowned Miss Universe has increased. Here are contestants who prove that they are more than pretty faces. 

10 most educated Miss Universe contestants

Lara Dutta’s score of 9.99 remains the highest ever recorded in Miss Universe history to date. Source: AFP

1. Lara Dutta, Miss Universe 2000 winner

Hailing from India, Lara Dutta has a degree in Economics with a minor in Communications from the University of Mumbai. Her eloquence and intelligence were evident during the competition, where she earned the highest interview score in Miss Universe history — an impressive 9.99 out of 10.

During the final question and answer round, the top three contestants were asked, “Right now, there is a protest that has been staged outside the stadium posing pageants as an affront to women. Convince them that they are wrong.”

Dutta replied, “Pageants like Miss Universe gives us young women a platform to foray into the fields that we want to and forge ahead, be it entrepreneurship, be it the armed forces, be it politics. It gives us a platform to voice our choices and opinions, and makes us strong and independent that we are today.”

After her reign as Miss Universe, she transitioned into a successful career in Bollywood. On the side, she has co-founded Big Daddy Productions with her husband, tennis champion Mahesh Bhupathi.

Today, Lara Dutta continues to use her platform for advocacy and social impact. She has been involved in women’s empowerment, education, and maternal health initiatives.

Alma Cooper became the first active duty service member and Afro-Latina contestant to win Miss USA. Source: AFP

2. Alma Cooper, Miss Universe 2024 contestant

There’s no doubt that Alma Cooper is one of the most educated contestants in Miss Universe. She holds a master’s degree in data science from Stanford University, where she is also part of the prestigious Knight-Hennessy Scholars programme. 

Before her graduate studies, she served as an officer in the US Army, proving her dedication to service.

Beyond her academic and military achievements, she is committed to addressing food insecurity. She actively advocates for making nutritious food accessible to underserved communities and plans to use her platform to amplify this.

She challenges traditional stereotypes of pageant contestants and is a role model, encouraging young women to excel academically and contribute to their communities.

3. Deborah Henry, Miss Universe 2011 contestant

Deborah Priya Henry, crowned Miss Universe Malaysia in 2011, is another educationally accomplished contestant to compete in the Miss Universe pageant. 

Her Political Science and Economics degree from the University of Queensland, Australia, gave her a strong foundation for her advocacy work — something she was already committed to before entering the world of pageantry. 

In 2009, she co-founded “Fugee School,” an educational initiative that aims to provide quality education to refugee children in Malaysia. The school is recognised by the United Nations High Commissioner For Refugees (UNHCR) Malaysia and has since served over 700 students from more than 10 countries. 

Today, she continues to inspire as a public speaker, philanthropist, and advocate for education and refugee rights. Her work goes beyond raising awareness. She is actively involved in creating sustainable change within marginalised communities. 

4. Harnaaz Sandhu, Miss Universe 2021 winner 

Hailing from India, Harnaaz Sandhu stands out not only for her beauty but also for her education and advocacy work. 

She is pursuing a master’s degree in Public Administration, proving her dedication to understanding and influencing public policies that drive societal progress. 

Beyond her studies, Sandhu is passionate about women’s empowerment and menstrual health advocacy. She has been vocal about breaking the stigma surrounding menstrual hygiene, emphasising the importance of access to education and resources for young girls and women. 

Through her title as Miss Universe, she has worked to raise awareness about these issues globally.

Pia Wurtzbach is known to be a beauty with intelligence and skills. Source: AFP

5. Pia Wurtzbach, Miss Universe 2015 winner 

Filipino model and culinary arts graduate Pia Wurtzbach is one of the most educated and accomplished contestants, having graduated from the Centre for Asian Culinary Studies in San Juan, Metro Manila.

Beyond her education, Wurtzbach focuses on advocacy work, particularly raising awareness about HIV/AIDS and promoting mental health. She has worked with organisations like UNAIDS to destigmatise HIV and encourage testing and prevention measures. 

She also speaks openly about mental health, drawing from her own experiences to inspire others to seek help and practice self-care. 

Today, she continues to use her influence as a global ambassador and advocate to create positive change. 

6. Olivia Jordan, Miss Universe 2015 contestant

Olivia Jordan, representing the US at the 2015 pageant, is an excellent example of beauty with brains.

She graduated from Boston University with a bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences. Her education reflects her passion for understanding and promoting health, a commitment she has carried into her professional and advocacy work.

As Miss USA 2015 and the first woman from Oklahoma to win the title, Jordan used her platform to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease. Her advocacy emphasises the need for research, education, and support for those affected by the condition. 

She pursued a career in entertainment too, appearing in films and television shows, such as “Ted,” “NCIS” and “Hawaii Five-0.”

Honey Lee is more than just her title as Miss Korea 2006; she is an actress and a professional gayageum player, a Korean music instrument. Source: AFP

7. Honey Lee, Miss Universe 2007 contestant

With a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Traditional Korean Music from Seoul National University, one of South Korea’s most prestigious institutions, Honey Lee is one of the most educated Miss Universe contestants yet.

Aside from her title as Miss Korea 2006, she is an award-winning K-drama star, having worked in a number of films and television dramas such as “The Rebel Hong Gil Dong,” “Extreme Job” and “The Fiery Priest.”

Beyond her artistic pursuits, she an advocate for charitable causes as well. She actively participates in disaster relief efforts and supports initiatives to preserve cultural heritage. 

8. Natalie Glebova, Miss Universe 2005 winner

Canadian model Natalie Glebova has a degree in Marketing and Information Technology Management from Ryerson University, now known as Toronto Metropolitan University.

There, she gained a strong foundation in business and technology, which has helped her in her post-Miss Universe career, where she balances entrepreneurship with motivational speaking and advocacy.

Glebova is the author of “Healthy Happy Beautiful,” which focuses on self-confidence, wellness, and empowering others to lead healthy lives. 

As a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador, she has used her platform to champion causes such as youth development and HIV/AIDS awareness. Her work highlights the importance of education, especially for young people.

Zozibini Tunzi is a gender equality advocate and educational leader from South Africa who has fought against gender-based violence and gender inequality. Source: AFP

9. Zozibini Tunzi, Miss Universe 2019 winner

Zozibini Tunzi, the third woman from South Africa and the first black South African woman to win the title, is a passionate advocate for social change.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and Image Management from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in South Africa. This education has equipped her with the skills to communicate effectively and use her platform to promote important causes such as gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Since winning the title, Tunzi has continued to use her education and influence to create a positive impact.

She is passionate about inspiring young women and girls to embrace their individuality and challenge traditional beauty standards. She advocates for self-love, confidence, and equal opportunities for all.