New Delhi: In the 70th Miss Universe Pageant held at the Universe Dome in Eilat, Israel, Harnaaz Sandhu from India won the Miss Universe 2021 after Lara Dutta (2000) and Sushmita Sen (1994). Punjabi actress and model Sandhu made the whole nation proud by becoming the third woman crowned with the prestigious pageant of Miss Universe 2021.
However, people often get confused between Miss World and Miss Universe in understanding the difference between the duo. The confusion seems to be much common as somehow the words are related to each other. Everyone knows that Harnaaz Sandhu is the new Miss Universe 2021 and at present Miss World is Toni-Ann Singh from Jamaica.
On talking about which title is regarded as more prestigious and more important, both are equal, however, Miss Universe title is the more successful one in comparing the two. Both are major beauty events organized internationally.
One of the principal differences between Miss World and Miss Universe is that the beauty pageant Miss World is considered as one of the oldest international beauty events formed in the year 1951 and Miss Universe is the second oldest beauty pageant with its formation in the year 1952.
Another significant difference between Miss World and Miss Universe is that Miss World mainly advocates humanitarian issues through 'Beauty With A Purpose' (the charity arm of the Miss World Organization) helping contestants raise funds for beneficiaries. On the other hand, the event of Miss Universe advocates and promotes the humanitarian cause by becoming the voice to bring positive development across the world.
There are differences in the headquarters and role of presidents in both the beauty pageant. The headquarters of Miss World is located in London, UK and the headquarters of Miss Universe is in New York City, US. The president of Miss World is Julia Morley, while the president of Miss Universe is Paula Shugart.
The first woman to be crowned with Miss World in 1951 was Kiki Hakansson from Sweden and the first Miss Universe in 1952 was Armi Kuusela from Finland.
In the case of India, Miss Universe title was won three times by Indians as for the first time by Sushmita Sen in 1994, Lara Dutta in 2000 and Harnaz Sandhu in 2021, while the Miss World title was won by India six times with Aishwarya Rai in 1994, Reita Faria in 1966, Diana Hayden in 1997, Yukta Mookhey in 1999, Priyanka Chopra Jonas in 2000, and Manushi Chhillar in 2017.
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