South African model Tshego Gaelae has been crowned the winner of the 40th Mrs World pageant, held in Las Vegas, USA.
Sri Lanka’s Ishadi Amanda was named first runner-up, while Thailand’s Ploy Panperm secured second runner-up.
In celebration of her win, Gaelae expressed her gratitude in an Instagram post, writing, “To God Be The Glory. Thank you so much for the love and support, I am beyond grateful and elated! My beautiful South Africa, the crown is coming Home.”
Tshego Gaelae. Photo: Instagram (@tshego_gaelae)
Mrs World, founded in 1984, is the first beauty pageant for married women.
The organisation behind her journey, Mrs South Africa, celebrated the achievement in a social media post, saying, “From Soweto to Vegas and now the World, @mrsworldpageant The Crown is Coming Home! Thank you to everyone who supported our Queen on her incredible journey.
“Thank you to the @mrsworldpageant organisation and judges for everything you do, and for recognising our queen and her brilliance. What an honour to have a South African queen as the 40th Anniversary Mrs World, and the first-ever Black Mrs World.”
Gaelae’s victory comes amidst heightened beauty pageant rivalry between South Africa and Nigeria.
