Miss Universe changes rule, makes moms and wives eligible to join the pageant beginning 2023

After more than 70 years, the Miss Universe organization will soon waive its rule against moms and wives being ineligible to join the international pageant.

In an ANC interview, Miss Universe Organization president Paula Shugart confirmed that beginning 2023 — on the pageant's 72nd edition — married women and those with children will be given a chance to participate in the pageant.

According to Shugart, the organization didn't want to "[preclude] someone from competing if they felt that they [could] handle that job."

Shugart added that if the candidate knows the job description of being a Miss Universe and could carry on with the job it entails whether or not she has a family, then she is welcome to participate in the pageant.

For more than 70 years of Miss Universe, the competition has only allowed single women who "must not have ever been married, not had a marriage annulled, nor given birth to or parented a child" to compete.

While there are significant changes in candidates' eligibility in future Miss Universe pageants, the age requirement remains the same. Women aged 18 to 28 can join.

The Miss Universe 2022, the beauty pageant's 71st edition where Miss Universe Philippines Celeste Cortesi is set to compete, will take place in January 2023. — LA, GMA News