At 60 years old, Marisa Rodriguez was crowned Miss Universe! However, her dreams remain unfulfilled.

Alejandra Rodríguez: The 60-Year-Old Buenos Aires Beauty Who Made Beauty Pageant History
Alejandra Rodríguez, at 60 years old, did not win the Miss Argentina beauty pageant and thus saw her dreams of representing her country in Miss Universe come to an end.
In Argentina, 60-year-old lawyer Alejandra Marisa Rodríguez won first place in the "Best Face" category at the Miss Argentina Beauty Pageant held in Buenos Aires on Saturday.
However, Rodríguez did not win the overall competition. As a result, her hopes of becoming the oldest contestant in Miss Universe history were dashed.
In an interview with a Spanish-language television channel, Rodríguez expressed hope that her participation in the pageant would be "the first step in a coming change."
Rodríguez was crowned Miss Buenos Aires in April, making headlines at the time. Many people praised her on social media for challenging age-related stereotypes.
Rodríguez's participation in the competition was made possible by a change in the "Miss Universe" organization's rules regarding age.
In 2023, the competition removed the upper age limit. Previously, contestants had to be between 18 and 28 years old.
Speaking backstage after Saturday's event, Rodríguez said, "I believe a door has been opened for many people."
According to press reports, Rodríguez, who works as a legal advisor at a hospital, attributes her youthful appearance to her lifestyle.
This year's Miss Argentina winner was 29-year-old actress and model Magali Benejam from Córdoba, Spain. Benejam outperformed 27 other contestants.
Benejam will represent Argentina at Miss Universe International 2024, which will be held in Mexico in September.
The first Miss Universe International competition took place in 1952. Until last year, only unmarried women between the ages of 18 and 28 were allowed to compete.
In its effort to modernize, the competition has introduced other rule changes since 2023, including allowing married or divorced women, women who have given birth, or women who are pregnant to participate.
In a statement to the US media, Rodríguez said, "This was a positive change, and like all changes, it happened gradually."
Expressing pride in having the opportunity to be the first, Rodríguez said that while she will not represent her country, she is confident that stereotypes about beauty, age, shape, and weight are slowly changing.