An iconic event that may have broken age stereotypes that still exist in our culture took place among the dazzling lights of the Miss Universe Argentina contest in Argentina’s capital.
On the path to becoming the oldest contestant in Miss Universe history, the Buenos Aires winner, Alejandra Marisa Rodríguez, strolled confidently onto the platform amidst a shower of sequins and the cries of loving supporters.
She needed to win to become Argentina’s representative in the Miss Universe pageant.
Rodríguez, a hospital legal adviser who exudes an air of energetic freshness despite being 60 years old, rejoiced in her courageous foray into the world of pageantry, which is usually an avenue exclusively for a younger generation. Even though Rodríguez did not have the title of Miss Argentina on her lovely head as the confetti rained down and the audience erupted in cheers, she had really won something big. Her self-assured title of “best face” stood out among the dazzling evening outfits and skimpy swimwear.
She addressed the crowd throughout the pageant, expressing her gratitude for the support she had received since her Miss Buenos Aires crowning last month. Her victory there catapulted her from relative obscurity to local superstardom after Miss Universe decided to abolish the previous age restriction.
The mild-mannered attorney from La Plata, a city south of Buenos Aires, was telling the public that there was truth to the saying “age is just a number” and offering moisturizing suggestions to ladies who aspired to her flawless complexion.
A modest one-piece costume with a shawl draped over her shoulders was chosen by Rodríguez for the swimsuit section of the Miss Argentina event.
Magali Benejam, a 29-year-old model and actress from Cordoba, won best swimsuit honors. She outshone the 27 other contenders in her tiny blue bikini and high heels.
With a 28-year-old age limit in place for quite some time, not even Benejam could have won a year ago. In its 73-year existence, the Miss Universe pageant has never allowed contestants older than 18 years old. However, that all changed this year.
For a pageant that has been the target of feminist criticism ever since the “bra-burning” demonstrations of 1968 derailed the Miss America pageant, this is the most recent in a string of modifications.
Lala Pasquinelli, an Argentine feminist activist, complained that Rodriguez was setting an unattainable standard for other 60-year-olds.
