Miss Universe Netherlands 2026 is Melissa Bottema from Groningen


Melissa Bottema was proclaimed the winner of Miss Netherlands 2026 (Miss Universe Netherlands) on Saturday, June 27 at Studio 21 in Hilversum.

The 25-year-old social worker, gymnastics coach and model from Groningen was crowned by her predecessor Nathalie Mogbelzada who made the Top 30 at Miss Universe 2025 last November in Bangkok, Thailand.

The new Miss Netherlands is no stranger to pageantry. She has previously competed in Miss Intercontinental where she made the Top 20 and Miss Grand International where she placed 5th runner-up.

Melissa will now prepare to represent the Netherlands at the Miss Universe 2026 beauty pageant to be held in Puerto Rico this November.

"I am incredibly grateful for all the lovely messages. My phone has been blowing up, and it will take a few days before I've read and replied to everything. But please know that your kind messages certainly haven't gone unnoticed," she wrote online.

Two other winners also emerged from last night's event — Lotte Marie van de Sande from Utrecht was crowned Miss Netherlands Earth 2026 and will head to the Miss Earth 2026 competition while Maila van Veen from Flevoland was crowned Miss Netherlands Teen 2026.

Road the 75th Miss Universe:

Photos: Roy Froma, Faith Landman / Miss Nederland

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