"The Argument That It's Too Late"... Advice from the Oldest Ever Miss France Winner

In France's representative beauty pageant, 'Miss France,' an unprecedented upset occurred as the oldest woman in history won the crown. This woman is 34 years old this year.

According to foreign media reports including AFP on the 14th (local time), Angelique Angarni-Philopon (34) defeated her competitors and wore the crown at the '2025 Miss France' finals held that day.

Angarni-Philopon, originally from Martinique in the French Caribbean, is the oldest contestant ever in Miss France. Until 2022, only women aged 18 to 24 could participate in the pageant, but the age restriction has since been abolished. A total of 30 candidates aged 18 to 34 participated in this year's finals.

On the 14th (local time), Angelique Angarni-Philopon (34), the oldest woman ever to win Miss France 2025. Official Instagram capture.

원본보기 아이콘

In her acceptance speech, Angarni-Philopon said, "In 2011, a 20-year-old young woman was the runner-up in the Miss Martinique pageant." She added, "That woman is now 34 years old, and I stand before you today representing all women who were once told 'it's too late'." She emphasized, "This victory is not a personal achievement but represents all women in our region."

Miss France has faced criticism since the 1970s for enforcing a uniform standard of beauty. In response, the organizers abolished the eligibility rule that required contestants to be "under 24 years old, unmarried, and without childbirth experience," and even held a pageant for transgender women.

However, the transition was not without controversy. Last year, a contestant with short hair won Miss France, sparking online debates. It was reported that this was the first time in the pageant's history that a woman with short hair won the crown.

According to European local media such as 'Euro Weekly,' several signs of the modernization of beauty standards were observed in this year's pageant. In regional contests prior to the finals, a 52-year-old candidate was even selected.

The media also reported that the changes in Miss France reflect a crossroads faced by beauty pageants in various European countries. In the Netherlands, the pageant was recently abolished, citing that it "no longer holds meaning." However, France is adapting to the times by embracing women of all ages in its beauty pageants. The media commented, "Angarni-Philopon's victory symbolizes that the (beauty) competition has entered a new era."

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.