In photos: Miss Nicaragua wins Miss Universe 2023 for first time in pageant history

Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios won the Miss Universe competition late Saturday night in El Salvador, the first to wear the crown from her country.

Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios participates in the evening gown category during the 72nd Miss Universe Beauty Pageant in San Salvador, El Salvador, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023. (AP)

Palacios is a 23-year-old communicologist, who said she wants to work to promote mental health after suffering debilitating bouts of anxiety herself.

Miss Thailand, Anntonia Porsild, was first runner-up and Miss Australia, Moraya Wilson, the second runner-up.

Miss Thailand Anntonia Porsild, from left, Miss Australia Moraya Wilson and Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios, react after being named the final three contestants during the 72nd Miss Universe pageant, in San Salvador, El Salvador, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023. (AP)

Eighty-four women competed for the crown in the 72nd edition of the competition that included posing in swimsuits, evening gowns and traditional dresses.

Contestants take part in a preliminary competition during the 72nd Miss Universe pageant in San Salvador, El Salvador November 15, 2023. (Reuters)

American singer and pianist John legend dazzled the evening with two performances including his hit song “All of Me”.

Singer John Legend performs during the final round of the 72nd Miss Universe Beauty Pageant in San Salvador, El Salvador, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023. (AP)

Palacios appeared to secure the win when she confidently answered the question of which woman’s shoes would she like to spend a year in by saying Mary Wollstonecraft, the 18th-century English writer and philosopher. Wollstonecraft was an advocate of women’s rights and is considered one of the forerunners of feminism.

Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios participates in the evening gown category during the 72nd Miss Universe Beauty Pageant in San Salvador, El Salvador, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023. (AP)

Palacios said she wants to work to close the salary gap between the genders so that women can work in any area.

Miss Universe 2022 R’Bonney Gabriel crowned Palacios after she was announced Miss Universe 2023. Palacios made history as the first Miss Nicaragua to win Miss Universe.

Miss Universe 2022 R’Bonney Gabriel adjusts the crown of Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios, after being crowned the new Miss Universe at the 72nd Miss Universe Beauty Pageant in San Salvador, El Salvador, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023. (AP)

This year’s Miss Universe was the first year married women and mothers were allowed to participate.

Another first for the pageant, the event was hosted by an all-female cast.

Miss Universe was last held in El Salvador in 1975. This year’s event was another opportunity for President Nayib Bukele to tout changes made under his administration, especially greatly improving the country’s safety.

El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele attends the 72nd Miss Universe Beauty Pageant in San Salvador, El Salvador, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023. (AP)

“El Salvador has changed for good and we have shown it again,” Bukele said Saturday night. “Miss Universe has given us the opportunity to show the world what we are capable of. Thank you for choosing to be part of El Salvador’s rebirth.”

The organizers of the gala announced that the next edition will be held in Mexico.