South African beauty model Tshego Gaelae has made history as the first Black woman to be crowned Mrs. World.

Gaelae attained the feat during the 40th Mrs. World Pageant in Las Vegas, USA, on January 29-30, 2025.

Ishadi Amanda of Sri Lanka emerged as the first runner-up of the competition, while Ploy Panperm finished as the second runner-up.

Reacting to her win, Gaelae said in an Instagram post:

“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.”

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The organizers of the Mrs. South Africa beauty pageant also hailed the South African beauty queen’s success in a social media post:

“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.”

They also praised the organizers of the global competition and thanked the “judges for everything you do and for seeing 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.”

The Mrs. World contest, which is the first beauty pageant for married women, was conceived in 1984.