Angélique Angarni-Filopon, a 34-year-old flight attendant from Martinique, made history in December 2024 by becoming the oldest winner of the Miss France pageant. This milestone was made possible due to a rule change in 2022 that removed the previous age limit of 24 for contestants, allowing women over 24, as well as married women and mothers, to participate.
Angarni-Filopon’s victory is particularly significant as she had previously competed in 2011, where she was crowned Miss Martinique and finished as a runner-up. Her win in 2024 not only reflects her personal perseverance but also symbolizes a broader shift towards inclusivity and diversity in beauty pageants.
Despite her national success, Angarni-Filopon is ineligible to compete in the Miss World pageant due to its age restrictions, which limit contestants to between 18 and 27 years old. Nevertheless, her achievement has been celebrated as a testament to the evolving standards of beauty and representation in such competitions.
Her crowning has also sparked discussions about ageism and the importance of redefining societal perceptions of beauty, emphasizing that aspirations and achievements are not confined by age.
