Alejandra Rodriguez, the trailblazing 60-year-old Argentine beauty queen, may not have taken home the Miss Universe Argentina crown, but her remarkable journey has sparked a revolution in societal perceptions.
Rodriguez made global headlines in April as the first sexagenarian to win a Miss Universe franchise contest, capturing the Miss Buenos Aires title. Although she didn’t secure the top spot on Saturday, she won the “best face” category and celebrated her achievement as a milestone in redefining beauty standards.
“This is just the beginning of a transformation,” Rodriguez, an attorney and journalist, shared with CNN en Español. “I hope my participation marks a turning point. Exterior beauty is important, but the concept of beauty needs to expand.”
The Miss Universe organization’s decision to abolish the upper age limit in 2024 paved the way for Rodriguez’s historic participation. Previously, contestants had to be between 18 and 28 years old.
“This change is positive, and I’m grateful to be the first,” Rodriguez said, acknowledging the gradual progress. “Other women, aged 37 and 40, also participated, expanding the limits.”
The pageant’s modernization efforts include allowing married, divorced, pregnant, or mothers to participate for the first time in its 70-year history.
Rodriguez’s impact extends beyond her own achievement. “Stereotypes around beauty, age, shape, and weight are slowly changing,” she noted. Magalí Benejam, the 29-year-old winner, would have been ineligible under previous rules.
Rodriguez’s pioneering spirit has ignited a movement, challenging traditional beauty standards and inspiring a more inclusive definition of beauty. Her legacy will continue to empower women of all ages and backgrounds.
