Miss Earth crown returns to Europe after 11 years


The Miss Earth 2023 competition culminated with Albania's Drita Ziri being crowned the winner on Friday, December 22 at Van Phuc City in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Drita's victory marked a historic milestone for her country at Miss Earth as she became the first-ever Albanian woman to win the title and the third European titleholder in the pageant's 23-year history.

Europe last held the crown in 2012 with the Czech Republic's Tereza Fajksová. Its first winner was Catharina Svensson of Denmark during the inaugural edition in 2001.

Technically, the continent has already won four times. Bosnia and Herzegovina claimed the crown in 2002 courtesy of Džejla Glavović but she was dethroned for failing to fulfill her duties as reigning queen. She was replaced by Kenya's Winfred Omwakwe.

The new Miss Earth is 18 years old from Fushë-Krujë. She is so far the youngest winner of the coveted international title.

As a titleholder, Drita will advocate for the protection and preservation of Mother Earth.

Photo: Kiengcan Team / Miss Earth

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