MANILA , PHILIPPINES - Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach passed the crown to Miss France Iris Mittenaere in an emotional coronation night at the Mall of Asia Arena, Manila, Philippines.
There has only been one Miss Universe winner from France—and that was in 1953. France’s 63-year drought is the longest in the international pageant’s history.
Iris, born in Lille in the Nord Pas de Calais region in northern France, is on her fifth year of pursuing a degree in Dental Surgery. She is also into extreme sports like skydiving, bungee bumping and hang gliding.
In her reign, Iris will continue her awareness campaign for dental and oral care and advocate for access to education and children's rights.
“Beauty shines from the inside out. Be kindhearted, believe in moral values, have confidence in myself, but also admit my flaws, that is the way to work on myself and become confidently beautiful,” she said in an interview posted in the official Miss Universe website.
Miss Philippines Maxine Medina made it to the Top 6. Miss Haiti Raquel Pelissier is the first runner-up, while Miss Colombia Andrea Tovar is the second runner-up.
The other ladies who made it to the Top 6 are Miss Kenya Mary EstherWere and Miss Thailand Chalita Suansane.