Ilda Amani Crowned Miss Universe Congo, Marks Historic Return After 39 Years 

Ilda Amani has made history by winning the title of Miss Universe Congo, marking the country’s triumphant return to the prestigious international pageant after a 39-year hiatus.

The 24-year-old beauty queen, who hails from Kinshasa, was crowned in a dazzling ceremony held in the capital last week, where she outshone several other contestants with her poise, intelligence, and commitment to social causes.

Amani’s victory is significant not only because it ends Congo’s decades-long absence from the Miss Universe stage but also because it represents a new chapter in the nation’s cultural and social re-engagement with the global community.

The Miss Universe Congo pageant was relaunched earlier this year as part of a broader initiative to celebrate Congolese beauty, talent, and resilience on the world stage.

In her acceptance speech, Amani expressed gratitude to her supporters and shared her excitement about representing Congo at the upcoming Miss Universe competition. “This crown is not just for me; it is for every Congolese woman and every person who believes in the power of dreams. I will carry our nation’s flag with pride and work to bring our stories and voices to the global stage,” she said.

Amani, who holds a degree in international relations and speaks five languages, is passionate about education and women’s empowerment. During the pageant, she impressed the judges with her advocacy for girls’ education in rural areas of Congo, a cause she plans to champion on the international platform.

As she prepares to represent Congo at Miss Universe in November, Amani has already begun working on her advocacy projects, aiming to use her platform to inspire and uplift communities across the nation.

Amani’s win has not only brought pride to the Congolese people but has also reignited interest in beauty pageants as a means of promoting social change and national pride.