BORBA, Portugal: A transgender woman has won the Miss Portugal beauty pageant for the first time and will compete with another transgender woman for the Miss Universe title in El Salvador, according to Portuguese media.
Marina Machete, a 28-year-old flight attendant, clinched the Miss Portugal title in Borba, located in the southeastern Evora region. She is set to vie for the Miss Universe crown in El Salvador, where she will face another transgender contestant.
A Transgender Woman Wins Miss Portugal, Secures Spot in Miss Universe alongside Netherlands' Transgender Delegate.#MissPortugal #MissUniverse #MissUniverse2023
— NewsAlerts Global (@NewsAlertsG) October 6, 2023
Expressing her pride, Machete shared on social media before securing the title, “Proud to be the first trans woman to compete for the title of Miss Universe Portugal. For years it was not possible for me to participate, and today I am proud to be part of this incredible group of finalists.”
This historic achievement follows the precedent set by 22-year-old Dutchwoman Rikkie Kolle, who earlier in July became the first transgender woman to win the Miss Netherlands title. Both Machete and Kolle are poised to follow in the footsteps of Angela Ponce of Spain, who made history as the first transgender candidate for the Miss Universe title in 2018.
