Thailand's Anntonia Porsild, first runner-up of Miss World 2023, mentions Malala Yousafzai in final answer

Thailand’s Anntonia Porsild was declared the first runner-up at the 72nd Miss Universe. (Image: Instagram)

The 72nd Miss Universe pageant was held at the José Adolfo Pineda Arena in El Salvador on November 19 (IST). Nicaragua’s Sheynnis Alondra Palacios Cornejo won the coveted pageant and was crowned by last year’s Miss Universe R’Bonney Gabriel.

Thailand’s Anntonia Porsild was declared the first runner-up while Moraya Wilson from Australia claimed the position of second runner-up. However, what impressed the audience the most was Porsild’s answer during the final round of questions.

The top 3 finalists were asked who they would choose if they could live one year in another’s woman’s shoes. To which Porsild replied, “I would choose Malala Yousafzai because I know the struggles she had to deal with in order to get to where she is today.”

"She (Malala) had to fight for women's education and fight for all women to be able to stand strong and be the change and lead by example. If I could choose anyone that would be her," the 27-year-old added.

FINAL Q&A starting with Thailand! @porxild#72ndMISSUNIVERSE #MissUniverse2023 @TheRokuChannel pic.twitter.com/w71IH4kEvY

— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) November 19, 2023

The new Miss Universe mentioned British writer and women’s rights advocate Mary Wollstonecraft in her answer to the final question. "I would choose Mary Wollstonecraft because she opened the gap and gave an opportunity to many women. And what I would do, I would want that income gap to open up so women could work. In any area, they choose to work in because there are no limitations for women. That was 1750. Now in 2023, we are making history.”

Well done Nicaragua! @Sheynnispalacios_of#72ndMISSUNIVERSE #MissUniverse2023 @TheRokuChannel pic.twitter.com/wMgOLM84Px

— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) November 19, 2023

On the other hand, Wilson said that she would love to live in her mother’s shoes.

Meanwhile, Miss Nicaragua made history as she became the first woman from her country to be crowned Miss Universe.