Lifestyle Desk, Delhi Magazine: Marina Machete is the first transgender woman to participate and win the Miss Portugal contest. The 28-year-old woman won the title on Thursday night, at an event that took place in Borba, in the Évora district, and will now represent the country in the Miss Universe 2023 competition.
Marina, who was previously crowned Miss Palmela, has been a flight attendant for around five years, as revealed in a video posted on the Miss Queen Portugal YouTube channel. “It has been a transformative experience to not only expand my horizons, but also to make me aware of the way other cultures deal with ‘trans’ people around the world,” she said.
The Miss Universe contest takes place on November 18, in El Salvador. The title currently belongs to North American R’Bonney Gabriel, who was crowned Miss Universe in 2022.
“As a transgender woman I have dealt with several obstacles, but fortunately, and especially because of my family, love has proven to be stronger than ignorance,” she added.
You would also like to read: Nandini Gupta From Kota, Rajasthan Has Won the Crown of Miss India World-2023.
Recently, in a post on the social network Instagram, Marina Machete showed her “pride in being the first trans woman to compete for the title of Miss Universe Portugal. “For several years I was unable to participate and today I am proud to be part of this incredible group of finalists”, he highlighted.
Behind Mariana Machete was Miss Guimaraes as first lady and Miss Camara de Lobos as second. The Miss Universe contest takes place on November 18, in El Salvador. The title currently belongs to North American R’Bonney Gabriel, who was crowned Miss Universe in 2022.