[News Figures] 'Miss Netherlands' Winner, Transgender Woman 'Riki Koller'

Born Male but Questioned Gender Identity at Age 8
Changed Name and Underwent Gender Reassignment Surgery, Supporting 'Sexual Minorities'

A transgender woman won the Dutch beauty pageant for the first time in history. This woman decided to become female during her childhood, changed her name, and underwent gender confirmation surgery after a long journey. The panel of judges praised her life and efforts.

According to foreign media such as the US TMZ and the UK Daily Mail on the 10th (local time), Ricky Koller (22), a transgender woman, won the 'Miss Netherlands' pageant held in Amsterdam, Netherlands, on the 8th.

Koller, who participated wearing a red dress that day, said in her acceptance speech, "When I came out as transgender in my childhood, everyone went through a difficult time. Now, after several years, I have become stronger than ever."

Transgender woman Ricky Koller, who won 'Miss Netherlands.' Photo by Instagram

According to the Daily Mail and others, Koller was born in 2001 in Breda, southern Netherlands. She reportedly questioned her gender identity around the age of eight. At 11, she changed her original name 'Rick' to 'Ricky' and started taking female hormone medication from the age of 16. Although born male, Koller lived believing her gender was female and underwent gender confirmation surgery in January this year.

Right after the surgery, Koller posted a selfie on her Instagram lying down in a hospital gown, showing support for sexual minorities. In her beauty pageant victory speech, she also expressed her desire to be a role model for sexual minorities and pledged to raise diverse voices for them.

Koller is scheduled to participate as the second-ever transgender contestant in the 'Miss Universe' pageant, which features representatives who have won in their home countries. In 2018, Angela Ponce (32) from Spain was the first transgender contestant to enter Miss Universe. At that time, Koller had advanced to the finals of the Dutch beauty contest 'Netherlands Next Top Model.' The Miss Universe organizers have allowed transgender participants since 2012.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.