# @nextshark on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DAof9-soYy0
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/23734614-nextshark-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/legacy-do/f97175a01e8bbbcc486df3d8a6829980fac87f905c2be73fc5963b84b85b6816.jpg
- **Posted:** 2024-10-02T19:04:01.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** NextShark (@nextshark) — https://gondola.cc/nextshark

## Caption

Choi Soon-hwa, 81, defied age norms and became a symbol of empowerment after becoming the “Oldest Miss Universe National Contestant.”⁠
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Choi shared she wanted to “stun the world, like, ‘How is an 80-year-old lady so healthy? How did she maintain that body? What’s your diet?’ So, I want to show that we can live healthily even when we get old.”⁠
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Miss Universe lifted its age restriction this year, opening the door for greater diversity and representation. A former hospital care worker, Choi began her modeling career in her 70s. She was among 32 contestants in a reimagined competition that eliminated the swimsuit segment and removed various eligibility criteria related to education and physical attributes.⁠
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Born in Masan, a city in South Gyeongsang province under Japanese rule in 1943, Choi worked as a nurse and a Christian pastor before retiring at 68. Choi recalled her modeling journey beginning in 2014 when another pastor she was caring for asked, “Why don’t you become a model?” The opportunity came by chance after she saw a TV ad looking for senior models. Describing herself as a “trendsetter for senior models,” Choi appeared in magazines for high-end products targeting South Korean retirees. ⁠
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While Choi didn't win the crown, she took home the "Best Dresser" award. The coveted crown was ultimately won by 22-year-old fashion student, Han Ariel, who will now represent South Korea at the 2025 Miss Universe pageant in Mexico City.⁠
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#news #choisoonhwa #missuniversekorea #pagaent #agenorms #octogenarian #bestdresser #missuniversepagaent #agerestrictions

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 17,558
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- **Comments:** 72

## Tags

octogenarian, missuniversepagaent, bestdresser, choisoonhwa, pagaent, agerestrictions, news, agenorms, missuniversekorea

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